Go Into The Story

Writing and the Creative Life: “That pure part of you”

Writing words of wisdom from the screenwriter of “Ordinary People”.

Daily Dialogue — June 8, 2018

Kilgore: Smell that? You smell that? Lance: What? Kilgore: Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. [kneels] I love the…

There are three primary characters through whose perspective we experience the narrative in The…

The Protagonist usually goes on some sort of physical / emotional journey.

“In Search of the Last Great Video Store”

A great read from Kate Hagen of the Black List.

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 4: Themes

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

The Theology of Screenwriting: Redemption

A character seeking freedom from bondage to a past event is one of the most common themes in movies.

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs

Part 18: Sell Them Your Dream.

Daily Dialogue — June 7, 2018

General Mireau: Hello there, soldier. Ready to kill more Germans? Soldier: Yes, sir. General Mireau: Looking over your rifle, I see. Well…

As ‘indie’ as The Florida Project feels, it actually has a traditional three act structure with Act…

Act One: Introduction to the world of The Magic Castle and all of the key characters, most notably Moonee and her mother Halley. This is…

Reader Question: What role does formal education have toward working as a screenwriter?

How important is college or film school for a writer trying to break into Hollywood?

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 3: Characters

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

The Theology of Screenwriting: Predestination

The religious concept of the individual having a predetermined fate manifests itself in movies as the character’s Narrative Imperative.

Spec Script Deal: “Aporia”

Paramount Pictures with Bad Robot producing acquire science fiction drama spec script “Aporia” written by Jared Moshe. Via THR:

Daily Dialogue — June 6, 2018

“Here they come, mean as hell and thick as grass.”

The Nemesis as the Protagonist’s ‘Shadow’

Want drama? Ask your Protagonist: What do you fear the most? Then put them in a story where they have to confront that fear: Their Nemesis.

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 2: Plot

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

The Theology of Screenwriting: Chosen

The archetype of the Chosen One is common to movies, echoing the Messianic tradition in Judeo-Christianity.

Screenwriting 101: Destin Daniel Cretton

“I love that moment in a story’s development when the characters begin to feel like real people who I can’t wait to spend time with. At…

Daily Dialogue — June 5, 2018

“You know those five thousand ships you say the Allies haven’t got? Well, they’ve got them!”

I was fascinated to read the script, then the breakdown because what I remember about the movie is…

Perhaps it’s because once you hit that transition point in the middle of the story, everything that’s been set up starts to accelerate…

Script Analysis: “The Florida Project” — Part 1: Scene By Scene Breakdown

Read the script for the critically acclaimed indie film and analyze it all this week.

Pound Out That First Draft!

Go from FADE IN to FADE OUT in my upcoming online writing workshop. Starts June 11th!

The Theology of Screenwriting: Annunciation

What the Angel’s visit to Mary can teach us about the Call to Adventure.

On Writing

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

Daily Dialogue — June 4, 2018

Shivering Soldier: You haven’t turned around. Mr. Dawson: No, we have a job to do. Shivering Soldier: Job? This is a pleasure yacht. You’re…