Go Into The Story

2018 Spec Script Deals Analysis: Genres

By my count, Hollywood studios, production companies, and financiers acquired 40 spec scripts in 2018. During this week, I’ll be breaking…

TED Talk (Part 2): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Spec Script Deal: “The Wall”

Dolphin Entertainment and Briarcliff Entertainment acquire horror spec script “The Wall” written by Kellie Madison. From Deadline:

Screenwriting 101: Jeff Lieber

“I think the one thing that people mistake when they’re writing a TV pilot is it’s aimed at the plot of the pilot. When I go to pitch an…

Daily Dialogue — February 5, 2019

“So, yeah, I blew myself up. Best guess, I forgot to account for the excess oxygen that I’ve been exhaling when I did my calculations…

2018 Spec Script Deal List

Every year since I launched the blog in 2008, I do a week-long analysis of the recent year in terms of spec script deals. This week, we…

TED Talk (Part 1): J.J. Abrams

In 2007, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Super 8) gave a TED Talk. I’m sure many of you have seen it. However, like many great presentations…

Spec Script Deal: “Rich Old Broads”

Amblin Partners acquires comedy spec script “Rich Old Broads” written by Anya Kochoff. Via Deadline:

On Writing

“Just know that everyone’s writing is terrible. Until it’s not. No one’s stuff is right immediately. You gotta work it. Refine it. Shape…

Daily Dialogue — February 4, 2019

Executive: We must confess that your proposal seems less like science and more like science fiction. Ellie Arroway: Science fiction. Well…

Cameron, plots are almost always a series of actions-causing-reactions / reactions-to-actions.

But yes, generally speaking, you are best served with an active Protagonist.

Cathy, you either need to get representation, win a contests like the Nicholl, or use a website…

Path of Least Resistance Into Hollywood

Go Into The Story at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival: February 1

Notes and reflections from Park City, Utah.

Screenwriting News (January 28 — February 3, 2019)

Script sales, pitch deals, greenlit projects, talent attachments, and more.

Great Scene: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Many of the best movie scenes are payoffs to plot elements that have been set up earlier in the story. Often the set-up and payoff…

2019 Zero Draft Thirty March Challenge!

31 days. Fade In. Fade Out. Write an entire zero draft.

Daily Dialogue — February 3, 2019

“It’s all right, Andy. It’s just Bolognese.”

Go Into The Story at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival: January 31

Notes and reflections from Park City, Utah.

Download 2019 Oscar Nominated Best Original and Adapted Screenplays

The Favourite, First Reformed, Green Book, Roma, Vice, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, BlacKkKlansman, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, If Beale…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Science

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,915 consecutive days and counting.

Script To Screen: “Notting Hill”

A scene from the 1999 movie Notting Hill, written by Richard Curtis.

Daily Dialogue — February 2, 2019

Seth: You dropped your purse, ma’am. Would you like me to help you with your groceries? Old Lady: Well, that would be lovely young man…

Reader Question: What should I do if a project sells in Hollywood which is similar to a script I’m…

Before you jump, step back from the ledge, and consider the following.

Writing Mantra: “Make words your friend”

“In the beginning was the word.” So begins the Gospel of John. Setting aside theological implications, this is where writing begins as…

Daily Dialogue — February 1, 2019

“The parole board got me into this halfway house called The Brewer and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It’s hard work and I try to…