Screenwriting How-To Articles

Joy Cheriel Brown compares the adaptation "Love, Simon" to its source novel, exploring the choices the screenwriters made in adapting the book into a movie.

Bryan Young talks with screenwriter/director of "Knives Out," Rian Johnson, about creating set-ups and pay-offs, his writing process, and analyzing classic movies.

Diane Drake, screenwriter of "What Women Want," examines the power and importance of the internal transformational moment of the story's hero.

Writer/Director/Actor Lisa Van Dam-Bates talks with Ashley Scott Meyers about the Body Horror movie Marla (AKA Marla Mae). This female filmmaker discusses how Reproductive Rights influenced her feature debut.

Ray Morton shares guidelines on choosing if you should write a screenplay for art or for commerce.

What are the key ingredients to a great story? William C. Martell examines the box-office hit, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, showing how the writers take the audience on an emotional journey.

Susan Kouguell speaks with "Parasite" editor Jin-mo Yang about his collaboration with Director Bong Joon Ho, defying the rules of genre, and finding the rhythm of the film.

Tom Stempel reviews Downton Abbey, Hustlers, and the lineup of this Fall 2019 Television Season.

Natalia Megas talks with writer-actor India Ennenga about her college degree in writing and her insights into a varied artist career.

Michael Tabb demystifies the use of flashbacks, why they don't always work, and how to create more effective and compelling flashbacks and voiceovers in your screenplays.

Writer/Director Adam Egypt Mortimer returns to the Selling Your Screenplay Podcast for a second time to talk about his new Thriller "Daniel Isn't Real" (2019). The movie's cast includes Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sasha Lane and Miles Robbins.

Susan Kouguell speaks with Anne McCabe ACE, editor of "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," who started as an Apprentice Editor in the cutting rooms of Woody Allen, Brian de Palma and Sidney Lumet.

Strong writing takes time because it demands deep thinking. Barri Evins offers pointers and examples on when to put enthusiasm on hold and slow your roll.

Treat yourself, or the writer in your life, to on-demand webinars, courses, and tutorials at a discount! The discount codes below are valid through December 2, 2019.

Screenwriter Jamie Grefe discusses how being on Facebook and connecting with Indie Filmmaker Jim Wynorski led to his big break. Jamie Grefe's movie credits include It Hunger (2019) starring Stormi Maya and The Wishing Forest.

Susan Kouguell interviews the 28-year-old Russian director and co-writer Kantemir Balagov about his award-winning second feature film Beanpole.

"A Million Eyes" short film recently received a Special Jury mention at HollyShorts Film Festival and is now under consideration for an Academy Award. Dan Bronzite interviewed director Richard Raymond about the short, working with the writer and cast, and his filmmaking career.

Susan Kouguell speaks with Academy Award-nominated producer Rosalie Varda about her new documentary film "Varda by Agnès" and collaborating with her mother Agnès Varda.

Writer/Director/Actor Wendy McColm talks about her debut comedy movie Birds Without Feathers. She discusses why filmmakers need to get their contracts in order, and what it takes to get an indie film made.

Film and Television Writer/Director Heather Hale shares her Producer’s POV (Point of View) on mind mapping and brainstorming new ideas for higher concept screenplays.

Christopher Schiller examines the screenwriter's secret friend, often overlooked but immensely important to the success of a movie—the script supervisor, often referred to on set as the “scripty.”

Andrew Bloomenthal interviews Edward Norton on his passion project, the epic detective drama based on Jonathan Lethem's novel, "Motherless Brooklyn," which Norton adapted, directed, and stars in.

"The Perfect Race" is the new faith-based film from Dave Christiano and Five & Two Pictures, starring Allee-Sutton Hethcoat.

Writers Heather DeVan and Jason DeVan talk about their Supernatural, Horror Thriller, Movie Along Came The Devil 2. Jason Devan is also the director and Heather DeVan is an actor in the film. Topics include, moving to Los Angeles and making a movie sequel.

Ray Morton explains the power of using suspense and surprise in dramatic storytelling.

Screenwriters Henry Jacobson and Avra Fox-Lerner discuss their new crime thriller feature film, Bloodline, and how they were able to attach Seann William Scott to the project.

In his continuing column, Understanding Screenwriting, Tom Stempel analyzes Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw; Brittany Runs a Marathon; Official Secrets, and The Big House.

TV writer and showrunner Ross Brown shares invaluable advice on how to process feedback on your script to improve the story without taking it personally.

In the latest edition of Understanding Screenwriting, Tom Stempel analyzes Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and The Good Fight.

Susan Kouguell interviews 19-year old Phillip Youmans about his journey as a writer and filmmaker, and bringing Burning Cane to the screen.

Heather Taylor gives an overview of Evil, a new CBS series by the Robert and Michelle King, featured at the 2019 Tribeca TV Festival in New York City.

Writer/Director Henry Alex Rubin discusses his new feature film, Semper Fi, how he got involved with that project, and his award-winning documentary, Murderball, that launched his career as a director.

William C. Martell dives into what a "slow burn" movie is by analyzing horror films, including Midsommar, which was recently re-released.

Stewart Farquhar's concession to selected formats does not mean all writers need to write in the restrictive style of this happens on this page to be a success. Success as a writer depends on your own creativity.

While it requires an enormous investment of time and energy, it is possible to network your way to a screenwriting career.

Bernie Rao discusses his new horror feature film, Killer Sofa, which he wrote, directed, and produced, and shares how he's been able to make movies all while living well outside of Hollywood.

Barri Evins interviews writers David Diamond & David Weisman revealing their unique techniques that elevate scripts and propelled them to career success.

Susan Kouguell interviews 63 UP director, Michael Apted on narrative vs documentary films, getting feedback and more!

Heather Taylor interviews Sherry White, Showrunner of CBC's Little Dog about writing room tips, breaking into television and more!

Writer/Director (and often writing partner) Nathan Ives discusses his new documentary, Somewhere In The Middle, about artists who make a living doing their art but aren't super famous. It's an insightful film that all aspiring artists should watch.

Barri Evins interviews writers David Diamond and David Weisman on their new book revealing the art and the elbow grease essential to a successful career.

Indie Writer/Director/producer Anderson Cowan discusses his latest feature film, Groupers, and how he made the transition from working a 9-5 job to writing and directing films.

Steve Tesich won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his work on Breaking Away. Script Reader Ray Morton points out the shining moments in the film's screenplay.

Susan Kouguell speaks with filmmaker Tânia Cypriano during the New York Film Festival where her powerful documentary Born to Be had its world premiere.

Jenna Avery interviews author-writer Jeff Lyons about his Rapid Story Development using the Enneagram.

Dave Trottier continues his 30 years of giving Script’s readers stellar screenplay formatting advice, sharing tips on formatting texts, instant messages, e-mails, Skype and more.

A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods discuss how they got started in the business, how they came up with the idea for A Quiet Place, and how their new horror feature, Haunt, got produced.