Go Into The Story

Private Script Workshops

On a limited basis, I work one-on-one with writers on their script projects.

Tweetstorm: Daniel Kunka on OWAs (Open Writing Assignments)

“A lot of time is wasted by young writers chasing the holy grail of OWAs and it’s just not statistically a good idea. I want to control my…

How To Read A Screenplay: Parts 1–7

If you’re serious about learning the craft, here are some ways to dig into scripts.

On Writing

Sequential causality is generally considered to be very important in plotting. It is often thought to be the difference between a simple…

Daily Dialogue — October 22, 2018

Donnie Azoff: [laughing hysterically] Jordan, it’s fucking good, right? It’s fucked up.

Screenwriting News (October 15— October 21, 2018)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 7): Style and Language

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Great Scene: “Halloween”

This is one of the iconic scenes in the history of horror movies: Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) versus Michael Myers (Tony Moran) in the Final…

Interview (Video): Tom Schulman

An hour-long conversation with the Academy Award winning screenwriter of Dead Poets Society.

Daily Dialogue — October 21, 2018

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport. General opinion’s starting to make…

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 364th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 6): Themes

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Kitchen

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,810 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Video): Bo Burnham

A 50-minute conversation with the writer-director of the movie Eighth Grade.

Daily Dialogue — October 20, 2018

“After I killed them, I dropped the gun in the Thames, washed the residue off me hands in the bathroom of a Burger King, and walked home to…

Reader Question: Do you have any time management tips on how to write while holding down a…

Some practical advice to engender productivity even while working full-time.

Scene Description Spotlight: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

The ending sequence includes a most interesting sentence…

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 5): Metamorphosis

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

Writing and the Creative Life: What if…

Perhaps the two most powerful words in the creative process.

Daily Dialogue — October 19, 2018

“Huh? I am not a bum. I’m a jerk. I once had wealth, power, and the love of a beautiful woman. Now I only have two things: my friends, and……

Reader Question: Are there differences between seeking representation with a manager versus and…

The answer is yes. As one manager put it to me: “Agents wear suits, managers wear blue jeans.” Why that makes a big difference to you.

Movie Story Types: The [Blank] From Hell

This was a popular story conceit back in the 80s and 90s.

How To Read A Screenplay (Part 4): Subplots, Relationships and Character Functions

There are multiple layers to any story. The more you dig, the deeper your understanding.

The Business of Screenwriting: “Qualify the customer”

Okay, this week’s post is a blast from the past and only comes about due to a recent revelation from a TV producer I know that she has…

Daily Dialogue — October 18, 2018

“My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood; this is my street; this is my life. I am 42 years old; in less than a year I will be…