Screenwriting How-To Articles

Jared Sterns speaks with Script about his filmmaking journey, his humble beginnings in animation, how the idea of 'Super-Pets' came to be, his writing routine and so much more!

Script University is excited to introduce our brand new course, Write Your Idea! This is a 6-week intensive workshop in which you will have the opportunity to use a tried-and-true formula to help you get your initial ideas out of your head and onto the page.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Director/Producer Rick Dugdale. He talks about his latest movie Zero Contact (2022), a Thriller starring Anthony Hopkins which was shot remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As is often pointed out, anyone can sue anyone for any reason, which is technically pretty much true. There is an extremely low bar to bringing a lawsuit, by design. We don’t want people to feel like there is no recourse for them in our modern legal system so the gates are kept pretty open. People will bring lawsuits for a huge variety of reasons.

Martin Gero and Brendan Gall speak with Script about how their story idea for 'Keep Breathing' was developed, their process behind character development and shaping episodes, how Martin and Brendan became creative collaborators and so much more. Plus, these two share invaluable advice for writers breaking into the industry.

For many writers, coming up with a logline is the last thing to do before sending the script off to a prospective manager or the next contest. It’s a tedious chore to be put off as long as possible and then gotten over with quickly – like doing taxes or going to the dentist.

HollyShorts announces talented jury members Adaku Ononogbo, Blair Underwood, Bryan Cranston, David Dastmalchian, Janina Gavankar, Jeremy Swift, Jennifer Morrison, Joanna Quin and Stephanie Laing.

Deji LaRay reflects on developing and writing his television show Johnson and the process behind pitching and selling the show. And most importantly, writing a show about the shared experience within the Black community, notably the shared experiences and relationships between Black men.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with teacher, Producer and Author Kim Adelman. Kim is the producer of the feature 'Just Friends' (1996) which stars Anita Barone and Anthony Palermo. This led to a career teaching filmmaking at UCLA, producing many short films for FXM, now known as FX Movie Channel.

Vanessa Benton's writing trajectory is a smart template for any aspiring television writer to follow.

Winona Ryder, Tobey McGuire, and Tim Curry were all points of inspiration for this bloody social satire.

Tom Stempel deals today with films with women from Europe in 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,' 'Official Competition,' 'Both Sides of the Blade,' and 'Irma Vep.'

'Prey' screenwriter Patrick Aison and director Dan Trachtenberg speak with Script about tackling the 'Predator' IP, consulting with Comanche Indian experts, script development and more.

'Allegoria' writer and director Spider One speaks with Script about diving into the concept of the film, tapping into the theme, his creative journey, and more.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with David Kohner Zuckerman, who is a movie producer and the C.E.O. of Virtual Pitch Fest.

Kate Folb M.Ed., Director of Hollywood, Health & Society shares with Script about the formation of the organization, the services, resources, and events they provide for writers, and about her journey in the industry from starting out as a production assistant on a rock and roll television show to becoming the director at HH&S.

Five simple but invaluable lessons to make readers’ lives a bit easier and make your script a smoother read. Plus avoid familiar pitfalls that lose our interest, detract from the strength of your story, and make scripts needlessly clutter the page. Use Barri Evins’ pointers to elevate your script rather than knocking it out of the running!

Anna Gutto speaks with Script about the elements that initially inspired this specific story, parallel character development, and writing to direct. Plus, Anna shares invaluable advice for first-time filmmakers.

Andrew Semans has constructed a unique horror tale that’s quietly savage. It addresses the responsibility of motherhood, while turning a keen eye on the physical and psychological toll domestic abuse can take.

Addison’s freshman feature HYPOCHONDRIAC is not only entertainment but a lifeline for those who might not know what direction to turn in if they have similar issues that are interfering with them leading a healthy, progressive life.

Some of the stars and filmmakers featured this year include Academy Award Nominee® James Franco, Golden Globe and Grammy Nominee Wiz Khalifa, Emmy Nominee Colman Domingo, Rosario Dawson, Nina Dobrev, Penn Badgley, Emmy Award-winner Brian Cox, Academy Award nominee June Squibb, SAG Winner Zachary Levi and more.

Ron Howard’s directing elevates this from simply being a perilous mission to an endeavor that taps into the deepest aspect of human valor. The rescue scenes are nail-biting, depicting a claustrophobic, volatile environment.

Joss Agnew shares with Script about the process behind directing episodes 7-8 and the importance of that interview process with the show's creators, how he approaches camera angles for character development, keeping the show tonally consistent and so much more.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Greg Björkman, Co-Writer and Director of 'Press Play,' a Sci-Fi Romance movie that deals with time travel.

The pandemic motivated many in the arts to get even more creative. Living in isolation prompted innovation. Katie’s sophomore directorial feature 'Alone Together' was born during that time. It’s a light and pleasing romantic comedy that hits on notes of staying true to one’s self and what the personal equation for happiness is.

What to do with your movie script once you’ve finished. It might seem like it should be a single, simple answer of where to send it, but it isn’t.

At the heart of this science fiction tale are messages about generational pride and family legacy.

Screenwriter and Emmy award-winning television writer Lena Waithe analyzes her screenplay 'Beauty' with Script's editor Sadie Dean and explores how she's able to create a relationship with the reader, the director, and the actor on the page.

Script contributor Dr. Rosanne Welch celebrates the female screenwriters who came before us with this month's spotlight on playwright turned screenwriter Ruth Goodman.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Writer and Author Niceole Levy. Since our guest has years of experience as a writer/producer on TV shows such as 'S.W.A.T.' and 'Cloak & Dagger,' Niceole Levy tells us all about writing for Television.

Filmmaker Danny Cohen speaks with Script about changing creative gears from music video collaborations with musician Courtney Barnett to filming a documentary with her as the main subject, how he was able to capture rare emotional moments with a Dictaphone, and filming a scene that later became a tender and poignant resolution for the film.

'Intersection' web series creative team speaks with Script about how they collectively came together, tackling this subject matter and the importance of this show.

Tom Stempel is dealing with the curse of contemporary films, sequelitis, including 'Downton Abbey: A New Era,' 'Top Gun: Maverick,' and 'Jurassic World Dominion.'

'Physical' is acerbically funny and at times touching. It's intrinsically nostalgic and unabashedly promotes women’s empowerment. Veteran television writer and 'Physical' showrunner Annie Weisman shares with Script about this paean to 80s living.

The bayous, swamps, and marshes are wetlands where life thrives as much above ground as it does below the surface. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' screenwriter Lucy Alibar was born in the South and understands the intricacies of its magnificent, melancholy scenery.

Script contributor Susan Kouguell speaks with Camera D’Or Cannes Film Festival Winner, 'Murina' Writer and Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with writer-director Eve Symington about how she is changing the Film Noir genre with the movie 'Brut Force' (2022) and how to network in Los Angeles.

Gia Coppola, one of the seven directors behind 'The Seven Faces of Jane' shares with Script about creating and filming her segment, how she initially got involved with the project, and how her story was the first undertaking establishing Gillian Jacobs' character Jane, and much more.

“We wanted to tell a very personal film, and we all, Nick, Jenny [Slate], Liz [Holm] and our other producers as well, really put pieces of ourselves into the film, especially in the emotional moments. I think it's a beautiful collage of obstacles and heartbreaks in our lives.” - Dean Fleischer-Camp

'Mr. Malcolm’s List' has had quite an evolution from short story to theaters. Suzanne Allain discussed that process with us recently, as well as her love for writing.

Filmmaker Maria Judice shares with Script the aspect of community filmmaking and being a multifaceted artist.

Script contributor Rebecca Norris Resnick chats with Barbara Morgan, executive director of the Austin Film Festival, about how the pandemic and virtual technologies have changed the game for writers, what AFF looks for in screenplay submissions, and her advice on breaking into the industry.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with actor and filmmaker Jim Mahoney, the Actor, Executive Producer, and Writer of the Comedy movie 'Gatlopp' (2022). Jim talks about what inspired him to write Gatlopp and he gives the great pitch by saying, it's if Jumanji was a drinking game.

Wendey Stanzler shares with Script about directing for television, how she got started in the business as an editor, and why an emotional hook is essential for her as both a director and viewer.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Neil McCay, Writer/Director of 'Trip' (2022). Neil McCay talks about why he chose to write a limited location Horror movie and the things he had to consider by making a contained movie.

Director Pete Chatmon shares with Script about his approach to directing episode five of season two, how he approaches breaking down a character's emotional journey, his filmmaking journey and more!

You’ve found a novel, short story, or stage play that would be perfect for a movie. And now you want to adapt it. How do you go about it? Is the process the same for both famous works and unknown works? And what are the legal issues?

Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill have become maestros of the macabre. They’re a perfect example of a writing duo that’s in sync.

Baz Luhrmann’s vivacious directing style is his signature. Elvis is deified and not examined as a person. We don’t find out any information we don’t already know. It just takes the easy route in portraying a complicated soul who was the first rock star.

Claudia Forestieri and Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz speak with Script about the show's conception, their approach to finding the comedy within their lived experiences, staffing their room with diverse voices, the importance of telling and seeing immigrant stories, and why they became writers themselves.