Go Into The Story

Interview (Video): Lucy Alibar

A 50 minute conversation with the screenwriter of Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Daily Dialogue — October 28, 2018

Dick Hallorann: Do you know how I knew your name was ‘Doc’? You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? I can remember when I was a little…

Spec Script Deal: Untitled Lennon & Ono Project

Universal acquires untitled John Lennon and Yoko Ono biopic project written by Anthony McCarten. From Deadline:

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Cemetery

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,817 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Video): Mary Coleman

A 50-minute conversation with the Senior Development Executive at Pixar Animation Studios.

Daily Dialogue — October 27, 2018

“The first soap was made from heroes’ ashes, like the first monkey shot into space. Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have…

Reader Question: When is the best time to reveal a character’s backstory?

Key character revelations. When? Where? How?

Update: 2018 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 3 New Scripts, 9 Total!

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Writing Mantra: On the other hand…

One of the best ways for writers to combat the dreaded Voices Of Negativity.

Writing and the Creative Life: What to do when you feel out of touch with your creative energy

When a creative spark seems so very far, far… FAR… away…

Daily Dialogue — October 26, 2018

Sam: I think I’ve just been too slow to realize that people our own age with histories just like ours having gone through all that same…

Reader Question: May I deliver my scripts personally to a literary management company?

Short answer: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Great Scene: “Michael Clayton”

The gut-wrenching ending of the movie

The Business of Screenwriting: Research Trips

“You’re the writer. Why not pick a terrific place for your story setting? Just in case you get the chance to go on a research trip.”

Daily Dialogue — October 25, 2018

“This Hollandaise smells like burnt rubber.”

Reader Question: How do I handle characters speaking in a foreign language?

Indicate the foreign language, but use English instead.

Black List Writers on the Craft

Some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters share insights from my interviews.

Movie Story Type: Chick Flick

“Slang term for a film mainly dealing with love and romance designed to appeal to a female target audience.”

Script To Screen: “The Kids Are All Right”

A scene from the 2010 movie The Kids Are All Right, written by Lisa Cholodenko, who also directed, and Stuart Blumberg.

Daily Dialogue — October 24, 2018

“It was not my intention to do this in front of you. For that I’m sorry. But you can take my word for it, your mother had it comin’. When…

The Power of Death in Stories

There is no more emotionally compelling narrative dynamic than death.

Update: 2018 Award Season Screenplay Downloads — 2 New Scripts, 6 Total!

It’s that time of year again when studios and production companies make available PDFs of movie scripts for award season.

Great Scene: It’s A Wonderful Life

George Bailey and Mary Hatch have an intense telephone conversation.

Screenwriting 101: David Hedges

“I think the thing I hate about writing is you have this piece of mashed, bleached wood pulp that you’re going to make these black marks…

Daily Dialogue — October 23, 2018

“Have you eaten? Not yet? Just throw together some noodles for lunch. That fish is excellent. Don’t roast it, that would be a pity. It just…