Screenwriting How-To Articles

In the continuation of his exploration into Western culture, Dimitri Vorontzov lays out some methods for interpreting Abrahamism in mainstream screenwriting and what that can mean for your story.

Award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and short story writer Jon James Miller explains how utilizing a Look Book for your latest project might be the key to get a buyer interested in your work.

Tom Stempel is watching two new movies, one old one, and one about…yes, directors.

In this clip, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Liam O'Donnell about his sci-fi/thriller trilogy Skyline.

In this first of this two-part exploration of Western screenwriting, Dimitri Vorontzov dives into cultural fascination with the anti-hero and answers the question, "How do we know right from wrong?"

2020 proved that holiday films are higher in demand than ever before. Why is this the case? Michael Lee Simpson interviewed industry experts to get the scoop on why the market is increasing so quickly and how this niche has become more inclusive.

This week, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Thomas Dever, Head Of Writer Success at Coverfly, a script listing service and database which connects Screenwriters to many industry opportunities like contests and fellowships.

In this introduction to Dimitri Vorontzov's latest article series, we explore the basics of scientific romanticism, from Indiana Jones to Tony Stark, and what it means for storytelling.

This week, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Filmmaker Shawn Linden about his prior feature Nobody (2007) and how he got an agent.

To kick off the new year, Ray Morton takes readers back to the basics, with lessons that new writers should learn and seasoned professionals should remember.

In the final article of this three-part series, Dimitri Vorontzov discusses how you can use dramatic energy as a way to build your story.

In the second article of this three-part series, Dimitri Vorontzov explains how structuring your story around a series of crises can really hook your audience.

Tom Stempel is going new and old again: the new television season and an older movie, The Snows of Kilimanjaro.

This week, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Filmmaker and Producer Tara Johnson-Medinger. They talk about her debut feature as a writer/director, the Drama My Summer As A Goth (2018).

In the first article of this three-part series, Dimitri Vorontzov explores the importance of crisis storytelling in Chinese history and why you'd be smart to use it in your screenplay.

It’s a comedy writer’s duty to test limits and push boundaries, but a misstep nowadays can backfire bigtime. How far is too far in this era of zero tolerance?

This week, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Zeina Durra. She is the principled Writer/Director of Luxor (2020), a Drama/Romance which stars Andrea Riseborough, known from Mandy (2018) and Birdman (2014), and Actor Michael Landes.

Having a writing partner raises a number of creative issues for a screenwriter—being married to your writing partner presents an entirely different dynamic. Dan Goforth speaks with the dynamic-duo writing team, Mark and Anna Casadei, about their handling their routine, disagreements, and pitching.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Ali Laventhol, most recently co-executive producer on 'Ginny & Georgia' with her writing partner Tawnya Bhattacharya of Script Anatomy.

Being a multi-hyphenate can expand your skill set and get you from unproduced to produced. Kevin Resnick shares advice on directing for writers. You know you want to. He'll show you how.

Andrew Bloomenthal shares insights from Alan Ball about "Uncle Frank," Ball's directorial debut, now streaming on Amazon Prime.

This week, Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Sean C. Stephens. They talk about his high concept science fiction movie Expulsion (2020). Sean and Aaron Jackson co-wrote and co-directed Expulsion.

Walk the walk and talk the talk! Barri Evins offers an essential guide for writers just getting their feet wet. Convince us you are a writer we want to work with by demonstrating Industry Savvy at every juncture – or risk losing it all. It’s sink or swim.

Dimitri Vorontzov continues his analysis of how the Chinese four-act screenplay structure is employed in the contemporary Chinese cinema, and also how it made its way to Hollywood and was successfully used in a famous American blockbuster that astonished worldwide audiences with its originality and became the cornerstone of one of the most illustrious creative careers in the entire history of cinema.

Tis the season for giving! Don't forget that special writer in your life... or maybe even a gift for yourself. Joy Cheriel Brown has recommendations for gift ideas for screenwriters.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Irish-born filmmaker David Freyne. They talk about his new LGBQ Comedy Dating Amber (2020) and how he produced work through the Ireland film grant.

Someone inside the industry reads your work and wants to meet. You’re on the verge of breaking in – but the crucial next steps are in your hands! Barri Evins shares insider secrets on how to check off all the boxes and seal the deal. What you must do – and how to sidestep the pitfalls – to convince us you are a writer we truly want to work with.

Many Chinese feature film screenplays are based on the four-act structure. In this deep-dive, two-part series, Dimitri Vorontzov explains how exactly that model works, in what way is it different from Hollywood’s three acts, and what the functions are of each of the Chinese four acts in a movie script.

Tom Stempel writes about movies: the new (The Glorias), the newish (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), and some old ones (Tora! Tora! Tora! and Pearl Harbor).

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Writer/Director Tyler Taormina. Topics include Ham On Rye (2019), a movie he Directed and Co-wrote and tips for young filmmakers starting out right out of college.

Screenwriter Tonia Kempler shares advice on navigating screenwriting contests, writing in multiple mediums, and creating a solid career strategy for your writing.

Devon Ellington, an internationally-produced playwright and radio writer, shares insights into adapting a stage play to a radio show, and the opportunity to improve your stories by telling them in multiple mediums.

Michael Lee Simpson explores numerous horror film classics and flops and everything in between. Some heavyweights in the industry offered their insight on what truly defines the horror genre.

Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Writer/Director Seth Larney, who started in Visual Effects and as a Digital Assets Coordinator for "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions" (2003).

Professional actor and screenwriter Barry McEvoy analyzes the intricacies of the character of Arthur, AKA "The Joker," demonstrating how to use paradox, pressure, and metaphor to build iconic characters.

Christmas films are in demand. Writer/Director Christine Conradt shares advice on crafting holiday movies from her experience writing over 70 movies.

All good things must come to an end. As Script's Editor-in-Chief, Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, departs her role at Script and WD, she shares her gratitude and fond memories for not only her team, but for the entire writing community.

Playwright / Screenwriter / TV Producer Paul Kalburgi shares five things we can all do to establish healthy habits and keep our writing sessions positive and productive, every day.

Many factors affect the film industry, from the change of social norms, to a global pandemic. Jeff Willis, Director of Credits and Administration at Marvel Studios, shares his thoughts on the future of Hollywood.

Kira-Anne Pelican, PhD shares tips on how psychological research can help reveal your character's personality through their dialogue.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Cameron Johnson, TV writer on 'Empire' and 'Zoe Ever After,' who has sold several pilots.

Representing intimacy in our stories requires finesse and care. Filmmaker and screenwriter Michele Meek Ph.D., TEDx speaker of “Why We’re Confused About Consent—Rewriting Our Stories of Seduction," shares advice on how to write better sex scenes.

Ashley Scott Meyers talks with the Writing/Directing team Ruckus Skye and Lane Skye, who wrote the Horror movie "Becky" (2020), about making "The Devil To Pay" and how their script "Rattle The Cage" (2015) was discovered and produced through a script listing service.

Screenplay formatting has become uniquely adapted not just to be speed-read – but to be speed-read on a screen. Story Analyst and screenwriting professor Peter Hanrahan shares tips for writing a script that's formatted in a way to attract a reader.

Writers often reach out to script consultants wanting a freebie read and analysis of their work. Ray Morton explains why that's a tough ask, and what reading your script really entails.

Creating authentic dialogue takes practice. Josh Miller, author of "Stuck!: Learn to Love Your Screenplay Again," offers ten tips for writing awesome dialogue.

A script goes through various stages from writer's draft to production draft. Christine Conradt explains how, as a screenwriter, it’s important to understand what happens in each phase and how it affects you and your script.

Punctuation helps the reader read and understand your delectable dialogue and riveting narrative as you intend. Dave Trottier shares ten punctuation pointers every screenwriter needs.

Director, cinematographer and writer Alice Gu talks about her feature directorial debut, The Donut King, in an insightful discussion that includes DIY filmmaking, discovering the story and establishing truthful relationships with interviewees.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Rebecca Norris shares ways she's been keeping creativity flowing and meeting writing deadlines while coping with the chaos of pandemic life.