Go Into The Story

Go Into The Story Interview: Sarah Jane Inwards

My interview with 2017 Black List screenwriter and 2017 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 25: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Interview (Video): Alex Garland

Half-hour conversation with the writer-director of Annihilation.

Daily Dialogue — February 25, 2018

“They FUCK YOU at the drive-thru, okay? They FUCK YOU at the drive-thru! They know you’re gonna be miles away before you find out you got…

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Walk and Talk

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,572 consecutive days and counting.

Interview (Part 6): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 24: “The Social Network”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 330th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

Daily Dialogue — February 24, 2018

Businessman: It says one hundred percent guaranteed, you moron! Brad Hamilton: Mister, if you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick one hundred…

Reader Question: What’s the best way to approach pitching?

There’s not one ‘right’ way to pitch a story, but this approach has proven to be successful.

Interview (Part 5): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 23: “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Writing and the Creative Life: How Does “Creativity” Translate Across Different Cultures?

Originality. Meaningfulness. Value. Collaboration. All part of what creativity is about in the 21st century.

Daily Dialogue — February 23, 2018

Customer: Excuse me? Look, I ordered one Good Burger with nothing on it. Ed: That’s what I gave you. Customer: No! You gave me a bun. Just…

Reader Question: How to keep from getting stuck in Act Two?

The answer is almost always this: Spend more time in story prep learning about your characters!

Interview (Part 4): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 22: “Double Indemnity”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs [Part 3]

Part 3: Boom, Bust, and Back Again [1990–2013]

Daily Dialogue — February 22, 2018

“May I interject for a second? As a Burger Shack employee for the past three years, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you’re…

Screenwriter Oath

Guest post from screenwriter Tom Benedek (Cocoon).

Interview (Part 3): Sarah Jane Inwards (2017 Black List, Nicholl Winner)

My 6-part talk with the writer of the script “Jellyfish Summer”.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 21: “When Harry Met Sally”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Script To Screen: “Dog Day Afternoon”

Perhaps the most memorable scene from the 1975 movie Dog Day Afternoon, screenplay by Frank Pierson.

Daily Dialogue — February 21, 2018

“Smile! You’re at Mr. Smiley’s.”

Reader Question: What to do when you feel out of touch with creative energy?

“Be sure not to overlook an obvious consideration: Do you have a strong emotional connection to the story you’re writing?”