Go Into The Story

Interview (Part 1): Charlie Wachtel and David Rabinowitz

My conversation with the co-writers of the movie BlacKkKlansman.

2018 Scene-Writing Challenge: Day 1

Write some scenes. Win a great prize.

On Writing

“I think the most important part of storytelling is tension. It’s the constant tension of suspense that in a sense mirrors life, because…

Daily Dialogue — August 6, 2018

“They’re cheering us. We must be pretty good.”

Screenwriting News (July 30-August 5, 2018)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Great Scene: “Kramer vs. Kramer”

Two scenes making french toast provide signposts to measure the nature of a father-son relationship.

Zero in on themes

Here’s a tip on how to zero in on themes. Just as you can generally surface a story’s central theme by following the Protagonist, you can…

Interview (Video): Eric Heisserer

From the 2017 Austin Film Festival, a conversation with the screenwriter of the award-winning science fiction movie Arrival.

Daily Dialogue — August 5, 2018

Gordie: Maybe you could come into the college courses with me. Chris: Yeah right, that’ll be the day. Gordie: Why not? You’re smart enough…

I just checked the Modern Family pilot and they do this:

INTERVIEW — PHIL AND CLAIRE

Reader Question: What are some keys to a great opening scene?

Or how to grab the attention of a script reader right away?

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 353rd installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Swimming Pool

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,733 consecutive days and counting.

Great Scene: “It Happened One Night”

A classic scene from the 1934 comedy which is one of three movies to win all the Big Five Oscars: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor…

Daily Dialogue — August 4, 2018

“The beast will leave us alone.”

We’re on the road to… somewhere.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, outlines, and you.

Ways To Write (Part 4): Writing Weekend

For 48 hours, nothing but writing. No Internet. No phone calls. No TV. Just you. And your story.

30 Days of Screenplays: Vol. 2

Reading scripts. One of the single most important things you can do to learn the craft of screenwriting. Here are 30 of them with analysis…

Writing and the Creative Life: The Magic of Ambient Noise

There may be a decibel level of ambient noise to facilitate creative thought.

Daily Dialogue — August 3, 2018

“She knows him.”

Reader Question: What about a credit sequence at the beginning of a spec script?

I explain why you shouldn’t do it. And also how to handle it in a spec.

Ways To Write (Part 3): One Page Per Day

You can write two entire spec scripts in one year if you only write one page per day. Two. Complete. Feature. Spec. Scripts.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 30: “The Great Gatsby”

Take up the challenge! Read 30 screenplays in 30 days!

The Business of Screenwriting: Hip pocket representation

The gray area between being signed by an agent… and kinda signed.

Daily Dialogue — August 2, 2018

“This is not real enough for you, Billy? I’m not real enough for you?”