Screenwriting How-To Articles

Script's Editor Sadie Dean speaks with 'The Souvenir Part II' writer-director Joanna about tapping into her younger self and voice from a life lived in the 80s, casting the Swinton's, and why she became a filmmaker.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Writer/Director/Content Creator Logan Burdick.   They talk about the new Rom-Com he wrote, 'It Takes Three' (2021). That movie stars Mikey Madison and Jared Gilman.

Reckless Creatives podcast co-hosts Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman share how they handle rejection and offer honest, Real Talk™ solutions of how to turn the sting of disappointment into motivation.

Script contributor Nanea Taylor speaks with up-and-coming Horror screenwriter Lisa Jay about writing to direct, why Lisa is personally drawn to writing in the horror genre, and the importance of her characters.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Punch Drunk' filmmaker Emily Lerer about her very personal connection to the story, her collaboration with her key team, casting, and why she writes to direct.

Script contributor Dr. Rosanne Welch pulls back the curtain on one of Hollywood's most overseen and prolific trailblazers, June Mathis.

Script contributor Sonya Alexander interviews 'Lamb' screenwriter Sjón about his writing background, the inspiration for the film, and collaboration with co-writer and director Valdimar Jóhannsson.

Script contributor Tom Stempel is dealing with 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', 'Cry Macho', 'The Father', 'Scenes from a Marriage', and 'Impeachment: American Crime Story'.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Writer/Director/Producer Joel Soisson.  Our guest Joel Soisson has produced well-known movies such as 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure,' 'Dracula 2000', 'Feast' (2005), and 'Piranha 3DD' (2012).

Hungry to create a story that really delivers? Barri Evins talks “toppings” in the fourth and absolutely final article in her mouthwatering series on how to write a screenplay based on making a pizza! Learn how to choose the extra ingredients from flashbacks to big reveals, plus narration, montage, and metaphor to enhance your story but not overwhelm it. With examples from top films plus a Writer’s Workout exercise.

In this installment of "Ask the Coach" Jenna Avery answers a pre-submitted question about fleshing out a short story into a feature length screenplay. Jenna provides a bounty of examples on expanding character arcs, goals, and story expectations.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Bergman Island' writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve about how she came upon the idea for this story, casting the pivotal role of Chris and the artistic liberties she took embracing Fårö as an instrumental location and artistic life source for her characters.

'Virtually Single' writer/producer/actress Kate Sargeant ('Castle', 'Blindspot') shares a first-hand look at how the making of her new series was a magical, transformative, and utterly life-changing experience.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Filmmaker Janek Ambros. They talk about the long journey it took for him to write and direct 'Mondo Hollywoodland' (2019). Janek is also the Writer/Director/Producer of 'Money, Fascism and Some Sort of Acid'. He talks about how he used stock footage from famous historical figures such as Edward R. Murrow and Joseph Stalin for that project.

Emmy nominated children's television animation writer Denise Downer shares insight about writing for children's animation, the responsibilities of a Story Editor, writing for streaming platforms, and more!

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'South of Heaven' writer-director Aharon Keshales about his filmmaking journey, developing the story from a personal perspective, world-building with his actors, and his collaboration process with his director of photography to create a specific color palette to set the cinematic tone of the story.

Script contributor Michael Lee Simpson interviews multi-hyphenate creative Neil D'Monte about his work as a storyboard and concept artist on some of the biggest blockbusters to date, the collaboration process with directors and DPs, and what inspired him to become a storyboard/concept artist.

Script contributor Rich Monetti interviews New York City-based writer and actress Shai Frumkin about her short film 'Crush' that made waves through the film festival circuit, including Festival De Cannes - Court Metrage.

This week is a very special 400th episode of The Selling Your Screenplay Podcast Ashley Scott Meyers and Richard Finney analyze storytelling techniques.   Some of the popular movies and television shows they study as examples include 'Back To The Future', 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'Pulp Fiction', 'Dexter' and 'Breaking Bad'.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews writer-director Potsy Ponciroli about his new Western 'Old Henry', how location was the leading vehicle in story and character discovery, and the importance of research. Plus, Potsy shares first-hand advice on writing period pieces.

Films like A Quiet Place show ways to add subtext to your script beyond focusing on dialogue. Valerie Kalfrin examines how to express subtext through action, scene and character descriptions, character names, settings, even an entire scene or the theme of your screenplay.

Formerly known as “the Ghost Bros”, the newly dubbed Haunted Hangouts Crew, are back to tell you about the horror movies that made us. Get ready for this Halloween season and every Halloween season with us, as we explore what good and inspiring horror writing is to us.

Script Magazine contributor Nanea Taylor interviews writer-director Elle Callahan on her upcoming fantasy, horror, thriller 'Witch Hunt'. The movie stars Gideon Adlon, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Christian Camargo and is produced by Defiant Studios.

Script contributor Heather Taylor had the opportunity to speak to writer-director Kate Dolan about her feature debut, 'You Are Not My Mother', going with your gut, and embracing horror (despite what film school tells you).

Script contributor Sonya Alexander speaks with horror filmmaker Simon Barrett about his latest film 'V/H/S/94', the influence of horror streaming platforms and how the landscape of horror has changed since he first got his start.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Adventures of a Mathematician' writer-director Thor Klein about how his research influenced his screenplay and the importance of paying attention to every detail on screen. Plus, Thor shares invaluable advice for screenwriters adapting true stories.

Script contributor Nanea Taylor speaks one-on-one with screenwriter Elizabeth about her writing journey, what stories she's driven to write, and her stretch goals for the next 5-10 years.

Script Magazine contributor Nanea Taylor Taylor interviews Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, the screenwriters behind the Netflix film 'Nightbooks,' which is streaming now—produced by Sam Raimi and Mason Novick.

Script's Editor interviews Sarah Adina Smith about the adaptation process from source material to script, the importance of how dance numbers served both story and characters, and her filmmaking journey.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with Iranian Filmmaker Ramin Niami.  He is the Writer/Director of the Horror/Thriller 'Eye Without A Face' (2021).

Script contributor Nanea Taylor speaks with up-and-coming Horror screenwriter Sam Watson about how his biracial background has inspired his writing, his current works-in-progress and what famous author sparked his interest in wanting to become a writer.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean speaks one-on-one with 'Supergirl' actress turned scribe, Azie Tesfai about the development of her character and episode, she co-wrote with J. Holtham, pulling from personal stories and conversations and what she hopes for the future of storytelling.

Reckless Creatives Podcast co-hosts Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman chat it up with writer and story editor Katiedid "Did" Langrock. We don't know jack about animation, but Did schooled us on being a head writer and story editor, navigating that world from Georgia, and advice on moving to (and away from) L.A. What do you really need to succeed?

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Brendan Steere. He is the Writer/Director of 'The VelociPastor' (2018), a wild action-comedy which started out as a short film that went viral.

In this special double-header interview, Script's Editor speaks with 'Best Sellers' creative team screenwriter Anthony Grieco and director Lina Roessler about approaching storytelling, connecting to authentic characters, and tapping into your unique vision and voice.

Screenwriter Tom MacRae talks about his new film and musical 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie', writing in historical and personal significance into the movie and adapting his stage play to a film. Plus, he shares insight on his lyric writing process and offers advice for scribes interested in writing a musical.

In this installment of "Ask the Coach" Jenna Avery answers a pre-submitted question about finding the right reader for your script and genre.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews filmmakers and brothers Christian and Justin Long about the impetus for 'Lady of the Manor' story, their creative collaboration, sneaking in a Trojan horse for comedy and subtle social commentary, and working with their cast and crew.

'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' screenwriter Abe Sylvia speaks with Script's Editor Sadie Dean about his filmmaking journey, his personal and impassioned kinship to Tammy Faye, and what creative decisions he had to make in order to put forth the best story possible. Plus, he shares invaluable advice for screenwriters interested in adapting true stories.

Script contributor Dr. Rosanne Welch puts a rightful spotlight on screenwriter Bess Meredyth, Hollywood's forgotten silent era trailblazer and co-founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Zak Penn and Matt Lieberman are the scribes behind this freewheeling love letter to gameplay. Though they have very different perspectives, the commonality of their sense of humor and ability to invert the action narrative makes them complementary to each other’s style. The “open worlds” they create in many of their stories allow our imaginations to travel to uncharted territories, guided by their airtight storytelling.

Script contributor Stewart Farquar examines why the old "formula" of female characters is dwindling at the box office, how female characters are making a mark in independent and mini-series productions and why now is the time for scribes to treat female characters as people.

Tom catches up on some films that have been around for a while, such as 'Shiva Baby', 'Kajillionaire', 'First Cow', 'Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard', 'Soul', as well as one newbie, 'The White Lotus'.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with fellow podcaster Geoffrey D. Calhoun. He is the author of the book, "The Guide For Every Screenwriter" and has writing credits on movies such as 'S.O.S'. and 'Sirens Of Chrome'.

Script contributor Thuc Nguyen speaks one-on-one with filmmaker Maria Judice about her filmmaking journey, her current projects her open-source Black Film list she created, teaching and so much more!

Script contributor Heather Taylor had the opportunity to speak to actors-turned-directors Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah and Araya Mengesha about their directorial debut, DEFUND, the importance of community and grace, and why you shouldn't wait for permission to create.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Dating & New York' writer-director Jonah Feingold about his new film, the impetus for this story, his filmmaking journey, and their shared love of the movie 'Hook'. Plus, Jonah shares invaluable advice about filmmaking that first-time filmmakers should absolutely take note of!

'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' is a lesson in understanding the genre and tropes that one expects watching a movie of this nature. It’s a mash-up that carefully blends two genres together, paying off both in ways the audiences of either respective genre will expect and understand. Script contributor Bryan Young does a deep dive into some of those lessons.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean speaks one-on-one with 'The Voyeurs' writer-director Michael Mohan about his new film, his new path as an erotic-thriller filmmaker, what sparked the idea for 'The Voyeurs', and how he broke into the industry. Plus, he offers invaluable advice for first-time filmmakers.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews filmmaking team Gita Pullapilly and Aron Gaudet about their new comedy film QUEENPINS, how they came across this true story, taking creative liberties in grounding the comedy, collaborating, forging a new path in Hollywood and so much more.