Go Into The Story

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 16: “Being There”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Writing and the Creative Life: Get a Mentor

A mentor can help you manage the ups and downs of learning the craft and a writing career.

Script Analysis: “I, Tonya” — Part 5: Dialogue

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

Daily Dialogue — February 16, 2018

David (V.O.): Hello, this is David Basner. Andrew Woolridge: Hi, Basner. Andrew Woolridge. I want you to meet me tomorrow… David (V.O.)…

The Business of Screenwriting: Everything you wanted to know about specs [Part 2]

The Emergence of the Spec Script Market [1942–1990]

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 15: “Casablanca”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Weird Part About Looking Glass: All Of It

This is a VERY strange story of the bizarre circuitous route a script written in 1991 (!) has just now made its way into theaters as the…

Script Analysis: “I, Tonya” — Part 4: Themes

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

Daily Dialogue — February 15, 2018

“Hey, Shana. It’s congressman Cam Brady here. I just stepped away from a family dinner to tell you I wish I wasn’t eating fried steak. I…

Reader Question: What to do if you fall out of love with a script after 2–3 drafts?

Quit? Push through?

Script Analysis: “I, Tonya” — Part 3: Character

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

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 14: “Pulp Fiction”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

Screenwriting 101: Daniel Kunka

“Something has to happen in every scene.”

Daily Dialogue — February 14, 2018

“I was just blow drying my hair, thought I heard the phone ring. Ah… has that ever happened to you? Anyway… call me, we’ll talk about it.”

Script Analysis: “I, Tonya” — Part 2: Plot

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

Web Series: “Kill Me”

A new 5 episode comedy web series on the iO Comedy Network.

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 13: “Shakespeare in Love”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

The Writers Guild of America Awards

Honoring the nominees and winners of the best writing in movies, TV, new media, documentary, and news during 2017.

Daily Dialogue — February 13, 2018

“Hey, Jimmy. Hey, it’s me, Chazz. Look, what happened back there — so not a big deal. Just think of it as, like a, boob handshake — between…

I have yet to see the movie and read the script for the first time, and my primary reaction is how…

Also, the interviews really help tie together the narrative by managing time jumps AND provide a window into key characters’ inner lives.

Script Analysis: “I, Tonya” — Part 1: Scene By Scene Breakdown

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

Scene Description Spotlight: Express Your Voice

On February 19, I’ll be offering a terrific one-week online class. It’s called Scene Description Spotlight which sounds super practical…

30 Days of Screenplays, Day 12: “Toy Story”

Why 30 screenplays in 30 days?

On Writing

“To me, all creativity is magic. Ideas start out in the empty void of your head — and they end up as a material thing, like a book you can…

Daily Dialogue — February 12, 2018

Answering Machine (V.O.): Message one, September 11th, 8:56 a.m. Thomas Schell (V.O.): Are you there? Hello? If you’re there, darling, pick…