Go Into The Story

On Writing

“Here’s one simple rule to remember: Characters carry theme. Always. Develop your characters fully and set them in the story world where…

Page One: “Darkest Hour” (2017)

Written by Anthony McCarten

Go Into The Story Interview: Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 10: Simple and Complex Plots

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Script To Screen: “All About Eve”

A scene from the 1950 movie All About Eve, written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and featuring one of the most famous lines of dialogue in movie…

Page One: “Dark City” (1998)

Screenplay by Alex Proyas and Lem Dobbs and David S. Goyer, story by Alex Proyas

Interview (Part 6): Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(D): Surprise, Cause and Effect

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

On Writing

“People forget years and remember moments.”

Page One: “Daredevil” (2003)

Written by Mark Steven Johnson

Interview (Part 5): Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Happy Birthday, Carl Jung: Screenwriting Guru!

Swiss psychotherapist and founder of analytical psychology Carl Jung was born today in 1875. He died in 1961 at the age of 85.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(C): Episodic

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Page One: “D2: The Mighty Ducks” (1994)

Written by Steven Brill, characters by Steven Brill

Interview (Part 4): Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(C): Episodic

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

The Business of Screenwriting: Sometimes you just have to say “Yes”

I am sitting in the Beverly Hills office of my entertainment lawyer. In front of me is a contract. It’s for a writing assignment. My gig…

Page One: “The Cutting Edge” (1992)

Written by Tony Gilroy

Interview (Part 3): Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(B): Possibility, Probability and Necessity

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Script To Screen: “Almost Famous”

A terrific movie Almost Famous (2000), written and directed by Cameron Crowe. One of the keys to creating drama is to put characters under…

Page One: “Curly Sue” (1991)

Written by John Hughes

Interview (Part 2): Kayla Sun

My interview with the 2023 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Studying Aristotle’s “Poetics” — Part 9(A): Poet and Historian

As I’ve been interviewing screenwriters, I typically ask what some of their influences are. One book title comes up over and over again…

Screenwriting 101: John August

“While working on Big Fish, I got very Method: I’d stare at a mirror until I could get myself crying, and then I would start writing. It…