Screenwriting How-To Articles

“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.

The Antetokounmpos family story couldn’t have been placed in better hands than with screenwriter Arash Amel. The 'A Private War' writer, through artful storytelling and characters cemented in their values, quietly and confidently conveys a story of hope and victory. He didn’t seek out the story, it found him.

Screenwriter Delé Adams shares with Script his favorite genres to write in, what inspired him to become a screenwriter and the importance of not shying away from feedback.

Christos Nikou speaks with Script about his feature directorial debut, how and when this story idea came to be, his interest in character studies and the creative choices behind the aspect ratio, and much more.

Anna Symon speaks with Script about the adaptation process, the amount of research she and the writer's room conducted, charting character arcs, and she share's invaluable advice for writers interested in adapting a book into a screenplay.

Screenwriter and star Jim Mahoney speaks with Script about how this story idea came to be, his creative collaboration with director Alberto Belli and his approach to writing an ensemble of grounded characters with unique voices.

Once we make a historical character a part of our story – we own that character. It’s our character now, and we can do whatever we want with that character, for the sake of telling the best story we possibly can.

Creator, showrunner, and writer Elizabeth Meriwether speaks with Script about what fascinated her about Holmes' story and character, the importance of setting tone and following her emotional journey as the anchor of the show.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with UK based filmmaker Sheikh Shahnawaz, Writer/Director of the Crime Thriller 'Bluff' (2022). Sheikh Shahnawaz talks about making 12 short films in a year and why they spent more money marketing the feature 'Bluff' than was spent to produce the movie.

'Women of the Movement' creator, writer, and executive producer Marissa Jo Cerar speaks with Script about how this project came to fruition, the amount of preparation from historical research to outlining the series, to talking about her writing journey and why writing is her "jam."

Filmmaker and professor Jess King joins Reckless Creatives co-hosts Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman for an honest dialogue not only about the importance of inclusivity in writing, but also the obstacles traditional Hollywood has put in the way of writers, including the issue with the classic "hero's journey."

Here are seven ideas to help you creatively keep writing and enjoy the summer. Use them with a mix-and-match approach, adopting those that work for you and ignoring the rest.

Joby Harold shares how the core creative team made the important decision on where to start Obi-Wan's journey, his character arc and trajectory, world-building, and the ambitions for the show and creatively keeping his inner child alive during his filmmaking journey that eventually brought him to work within the Star Wars world.

Co-creators Lee Eisenberg and Drew Crevello speak with Script about how the Wondery podcast of the same name was a great blueprint for the story foundation and why it was important to understand these characters fully so that it gave the show a reason for being.

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

'Pen15' co-creator, co-showrunner, writer, director, and co-star Anna Konkle speaks with Script about tackling the second season, character development, and arcs, where and when nostalgia fit in, and how they were able to mine for comedy from the most uncomfortable situations.

This program will support authentic and inclusive storytelling from up-and-coming Latina directors.

When we’re first introduced to 'Spiderhead,' we can see why director Joseph Kosinski is one of the best in the game. Based on The New Yorker short story “Escape from Spiderhead” by George Saunders, this Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick adaptation makes use of the claustrophobic atmosphere by focusing on the physical, mental, and emotional limitations of our main characters.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with UK Filmmaker Russell Owen about how Pagan lore, the setting in Scotland, and other rituals inspired 'Shepherd' (2021), a Mystery/Horror movie written and directed by Russell Owen.

'Ted Lasso' writer and co-executive producer Jane Becker shares with Script the collaborative process behind breaking the second season, and how her emotional journey is imbued into the quintessential episodes she's written. Plus, she shares invaluable advice for comedy writers and tapping into your voice.

'Next Exit' writer-director Mali Elfman speaks with Script about her feature directorial debut, tapping into her emotional connection to the material, creating and working with her established filmmaking tribe, character development with her cast, and the great impact of having her editor on the road with her during production.

A fun summer movie that is pure escapism. If only 'Jurassic World Dominion' had maintained a singular focus. It incorporates climate change, genetic engineering, and man vs. nature without the weight of steady, affecting storytelling. This is by far the most anemic film in the series.

'Only Murders in the Building' co-creator, writer, and showrunner John Hoffman speaks with Script about collaborating with Steve Martin, creating character connections of an unlikely trio, creating a crime with a clear ending, and his personal connection to the world and so much more.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with writer DeAndra Stone on the writer's struggle to get read. She shares how she got over those hurdles as a screenwriter by submitting to writing contests including the SYS Six Figure Screenplay Contest.

Tom Stempel is taking a cinematic holiday in France with 'Paris, 13th District,' 'Happening,' 'Petite Maman,' followed by a boat cruise in 'Death on the Nile,' and 'Audience-ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love.'

'Dopesick' creator, writer and showrunner Danny Strong speaks with Script about his original story conception to the adaptation of the source material, utilizing the theme of pain as an anchor for character storylines, his writing routine to working with legend Barry Levinson. Plus, Danny shares invaluable advice for adapting true stories.

It seems like every character in a story wants to make a big speech and be the center of attention for a few minutes. But how do you write a speech? The secret to great speeches revealed!

'The Great' creator, writer and showrunner Tony McNamara shares with Script his approach to breaking seasons by starting with character first, the importance of tone, and how his team navigates fabricating the 18th century on-screen. Plus, he shares what influenced his writing style and satirical voice.

What's a new season of Reckless Creatives without a plan? Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman launch Season 2 sharing their thoughts and tips for creating a productive plan to create your art.

Five Fellowships of $7,500 Each and One Grand Prize of $20,000 Will Be Awarded

Series lead Andrew Garfield only had 30 minutes to prepare for one of the most emotionally devastating scenes in 'Under the Banner of Heaven'.

'As We See It' creator, writer, and showrunner Jason Katims shares with Script about his personal connection to the show's subject matter, his commitment to telling neurodiverse stories authentically, and his writing journey working on character-driven shows.

Before I knew better, I entered every contest I stumbled upon. Man, I wish I had that money back! But like every great lesson in life, you learn from your mistakes. How do you find a reputable screenwriting contest?

'Zero Contact' director Rick Dugdale speaks with Script contributor Paula Landry about his experience making this film, which is a follow-up conversation she previously had (when the film was launching as an NFT) with Cameron Chell, co-founder of Vuele, the NFT platform.

'The Voice Actress' writer-director Anna J. Takayama shares with Script her personal connection to the story and world, the passion behind bringing this story to life as a beautiful homage to her mother who is a master of her craft, the attention to detail that she poignantly crafted, and her filmmaking journey.

Steve Acevedo shares how the play of the same name written by Jerry Montoya came to his attention, the adaptation and collaborative process with fellow screenwriters Tate Hanyok and Joe Boothe, his personal connection to the material, and his filmmaking journey as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker.

Kerry Ehrin, the prolific award-winning writer who has in the last few years served both as showrunner and executive producer on 'The Morning Show' shares with Script how she and her writer's room approached character arcs and tone in season two, putting her writer's room together, her writing journey and so much more!

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Philip Todd. His credits include being the director and one of the writers of the movies 'Jessie and the Elf Boy' and 'The Gaelic King'. Philip Todd talks about how 'Jessie and the Elf Boy' was inspired by a Scottish Myth and how that affected the writing.

What makes 'Top Gun: Maverick' as good as, if not better, than the original is that it contains the successful elements of the first film, but they’re squared. It’s a heady blend of male eye candy, romance, humor, emotional peaks and valleys, and thrilling jet maneuvers.