Go Into The Story

7 Hollywood Gatekeepers on What They Look for in a Script

Insights into how the people who say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ think when reading a script.

Screenwriting News (October 2-October 8, 2017)

The week’s writing deals and movie project news.

Great Scene: “Witness”

Oscar-winning project has been called a B-movie with an A-movie treatment.

Interview (Video): Sean Baker

Insight into the movie ‘The Florida Project’ from its writer-director.

Daily Dialogue — October 8, 2017

Gordon: If we’re going to play games, I’m going to need a cup of coffee.

Daily Dialogue theme next week: Homecoming

Join the Daily Dialogue crew: 3,432 consecutive days and counting.

Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Highlight Your Verbs

I featured this bit of wisdom from screenwriter Larry Ferguson before here, the key quote being:

Saturday Hot Links

Time for the 311th installment of Saturday Hot Links, your week’s essential reading about movies, TV, streaming, Hollywood, and other…

Screenwriting Lessons from Michael Arndt

Story Beginnings, Endings, ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, ‘Toy Story 3’, and more.

Interview (Written): Michael Green

Co-writer of the movie Blade Runner 2049.

Daily Dialogue — October 7, 2017

John Correli: Were you ever engaged in any sadomasochistic activity? Catherine: Exactly what did you have in mind, Mr. Correli?

Reader Question: Do all Protagonists need a character arc?

A character’s ‘arc’ is a big buzzword in Hollywood development circles.

Screenwriting Lessons [Part 5]: Michael Arndt

A series featuring insights from the Toy Story 3 screenwriter.

Would studios return to the ‘Singles and Doubles’ approach to making movies?

Neil Turitz points to Screen Gems as an alternate to mega-budget blockbusters.

How They Write a Script: Billy Wilder

The prolific writer-director opens up about his storytelling process.

Writing and the Creative Life: Writing sprint? How about a writing walk!

Or as we do in the ‘zero draft’ writing community — a writing scamper.

Daily Dialogue — October 6, 2017

Ted: Look, I didn’t solicit any sex, OK? This is a huge misunderstanding. I was really going out to pee, I was walking to the bushes, I…

Reader Question: How does a 15 year-old get experience screenwriting or directing?

Nowadays with digital filmmaking, the mantra is: Do something!

Screenwriting Lessons [Part 4]: Michael Arndt

A series featuring insights from the Little Miss Sunshine screenwriter.

ACADEMY REVEALS WINNING NICHOLL SCREENWRITERS

The 2017 winners and finalists announced.

How They Write A Script: Leigh Brackett

“She wrote that [The Big Sleep] like a man. She writes good.” — Howard Hawks, quoted in “Hawks on Hawks”.

The Business of Screenwriting: OWA

Three little letters: OWA. But they mean big things for Hollywood screenwriters. What do these letter stand for?

Daily Dialogue — October 5, 2017

“Don’t fight it son. Confess quickly! If you hold out too long you could jeopardize your credit rating.”

Reader Question: What are some tips for figuring out the ending of a story?

Question via Twitter from @WrittenbyKendra:

Screenwriting Lessons [Part 3]: Michael Arndt

A series featuring insights from the Little Miss Sunshine screenwriter.