Go Into The Story

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 27

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

The Business of Screenwriting: Research Trips

“You’re the writer. Why not pick a terrific place for your story setting? Just in case you get the chance to go on a research trip.”

Page One: “Christine” (1983)

Screenplay by Bill Phillips, novel by Stephen King

Reader Question: Are there movies where the Protagonist is the Nemesis?

Is it possible for the Protagonist to also be the story’s Nemesis? A deep dive into Fight Club, The Shawshank Redemption, and Carl Jung.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 26

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Script To Screen: “American Psycho”

A scene from the 2000 movie American Psycho, screenplay by Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner, novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

Page One: “Gone Baby Gone” (2007)

Screenplay by Ben Affleck & Aaron Stockard, novel by Dennis Lehane

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 25

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Screenwriting 101: Guillermo Arriaga

“I never outline the story, never. I once went to a seminar by one of these gurus of the screen, and this person said, ‘You must know…

Page One: “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997)

Written by Mike Myers

Story Type: Time Travel

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Script To Screen: “Argo”

A dramatic scene from the 2012 movie Argo, written by Chris Terrio, book by Tony Mendez, magazine article by Joshuah Bearman.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 24

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

On Writing

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

Page One: “Collateral Damage” (2002)

Screenplay by David Griffiths & Peter Griffiths, story by Ronald Roose and David Griffiths & Peter Griffiths

Reader Question: What makes a stellar logline?

Two words: Concept. Concise.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 23

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Story Type: Ticking Clock

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

Page One: “Collateral Beauty” (2016)

Written by Allan Loeb

Writing and the Creative Life: The act of writing provides health benefits

“From long-term health improvements to short-term benefits like sleeping better, it’s official: Writers are doing something right.”

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 22

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.

Script To Screen: “Army of Darkness”

Yes, it’s the Boomstick scene from the classic 1992 comic horror movie Army of Darkness, written by Ivan Raimi and Sam Raimi.

Page One: “Cocoon” (1985)

Screenplay by Tom Benedek, story by David Saperstein

“Mlle Bottine” gets a theatrical release date!

The French-language family film I consulted on is set to open its theatrical run on November 29th.

“Conversations With Wilder”: Part 21

Billy Wilder. Cameron Crowe. Conversation and creative insight.