Putin Stole It From Me
I know what I know, and what I know is that I predicted the Kremlin’s actions and Ukraine’s subsequent eruptions before they happened.
The Best Script I Ever Read
“We’ve been through, like, nine rounds of notes on this thing. I’m starting to feel like this idea simply isn’t gonna work, no matter how hard I try.”
How Movies from 1976 Can Help You Write Better Scripts
Being bad is a state of mind, and in the 1970s, being bad was very, very good.
NEVER, EVER DO THIS: Gentle Advice for Eager Writers (Part 2)
Just like last time, I’ve tried to stay away from the blatantly obvious here and instead give you some under-the-radar tips.
Q&A: Fundamental Principles of Story Setups and Payoffs
One of the most vital yet least discussed aspects of effective storytelling is the ability to execute potent setups and payoffs.
Sun, Moon, and Stars: Using Astronomical Symbols in Your Story
There are perhaps no other elements used more often in these early stories than the celestial bodies people saw when they stared into the sky.
The Secret to Better Writing? Prepare to be Bored.
There’s no magic secret to success in Hollywood as a scribe. It all comes down to the same boring, monotonous tasks that everyone knows they should do but nobody wants to.
Build a Better Pitch Deck
Please, please PLEASE do not hesitate to inject your personality into your deck. This isn’t a technical manual, it’s a freakin' movie!
Kill the Cat: Storytelling Structures for Screenwriters Sick of the Hero’s Journey
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by "The Hero’s Journey." Now that every screenwriter’s hand is up ...
The 5th Grade Writing Process: A Dangerous Lie
I don't often have hot takes, but when I do, it’s that “The Writing Process” poster in my fifth-grade classroom ruined me.
NEVER, EVER DO THIS: Gentle Advice for Eager Writers
We all have them. That little thing that most people don’t even notice, but annoys the absolute hell out of us.
This is Not a Drill: Learning to Value the Precious Art of Practice
I felt like a different person. I had grown as a writer. I had grown as an artist.
Desire and Character
Before we can subtly communicate the desires of our character to the audience, we have to fully understand those desires ourselves.
Q&A: Approaching to the Coming-of-Age Story
Coming-of-age stories have long been a staple of storytelling. Since the early days of film and television, audiences have enjoyed watching characters that mature before our very eyes.
