Screenwriting How-To Articles

Dave Trottier, Dr. Format, shares advice on how to convey camera direction in your script, without writing camera direction.

Hoping to break into screenwriting from outside L.A.? Rebecca Norris chats with screenwriter Amie Charney, the first recipient of the Harlequin Creator Fund for television writing, about developing her pilot with Harlequin and eOne, breaking in remotely from San Antonio, and why it's never too late to chase your dreams.

Tom Stempel reviews two Taylor Sheridan films: Tom Clancy's 'Without Remorse' and 'Those Who Wish Me Dead' and Brad Ingelsby's 'Mare of Easttown'.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with writer/author Erik Bork. Returning for a third time on the podcast, Erik Bork talks about his non-fiction writing guide book "The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage or Fiction."

Welcome back to “Ask the Coach," today’s question is about whether or not writing and marketing experts and gurus help writers or just get in the way.

Just like in film, the writing of a game is the skeleton of it. In the case of 'Ghost of Tsushima', Ian Ryan, lead writer for the game, is responsible for the compelling narrative of the award-winning game.

Celebrating the Female Screenwriters Who Came Before Us: Frances Goodrich Hackett

Writer Chris Rafferty shares his incredible journey to the writers room, his perseverance to pursue screenwriting full time and a sentimental goodbye to 'Lucifer'.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with mystery-horror movie 'Open Your Eyes' writer/director Greg A. Sager.

Your success happens by identifying the best possible connection that aligns with your brand and goals.

No one likes staring at a blank page or struggling to find time to write every day. Stop the guilt trip!

Djaka Souaré speaks one-on-one with Cherry Davis about the Women Of Color Unite (WOC Unite) #StartWith8Hollywood Mentorship Program

Are screenwriters becoming too business-minded in their creative process?

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' co-creator and star Dan Perlman about creating a zero budget proof of concept that swept film festivals, collaborating with co-writer Kevin Iso and the collective humor that the behind-the-scenes team adds to this off-beat Showtime comedy series. Plus, Dan shares invaluable advice on taking life by the horns and shooting a low-budget proof of concept.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Dickinson' creator/showrunner/EP Alena Smith. In this interview, Alena shares her passion for why she created this series and writing with a purpose.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with director Ted Campbell.  He talks about how he got his start as an Assistant Director "AD" for many movies, which led to directing features such as 'Killer Profile' (AKA Friend Request) for Marvista Entertainment.

How do you press on when you’ve lost faith in your ideas and in your abilities? Ray Morton shares advice on how to press on and push past self doubt.

Do three acts guarantee a good movie? Script contributor Peter Markham analyzes structure and our differing attitudes towards it.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'The Handmaid's Tale' creator and showrunner Bruce Miller. This interview is a unique opportunity to pull back the curtain on his wizardry and truly witness how passionate he is about the book and respectful of Margaret Atwood’s story, the delicate balance of writing female characters, and how much joy he’s received over the last four seasons of writing this show for a dedicated audience.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean speaks with 'Euphoria' star turned writer Hunter Schafer about how this special episode idea came to be, her writing process with show creator Sam Levinson, tapping into vulnerabilities, and what she hopes mainstream viewers take away after watching this episode.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with prominent writer/director Simon Barrett. In our frank interview, Simon Barrett talks about 'Seance' (2021), a horror movie he wrote and directed and about his experience working with agents.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Ted Lasso' co-creator/writer/actor Brendan Hunt. The two discuss the impact and success of the show from a personal creative standpoint, and what's at the heart of the award-winning comedy show that has won millions over.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Endangered Species' director/co-writer MJ Basset, about MJ's writing collaboration with daughter Isabel Bassett, and why making eco-action films is a life passion.

In this interview with 'Port Authority' writer/director Danielle Lessovitz, we peel back the layers of her personal lived experience and combining it with other shared lived experiences for the movie, the collaborative process with her cast, plus Danielle offers wonderful advice in trusting your voice as a storyteller.

'Golden Arm' screenwriting partners Jenna Milly and Ann Marie Allison share their journey in making their film, how the idea was sparked, becoming writing partners, their process, and their goal to continue writing and making female-centric comedies.

Reckless Creatives Podcast co-hosts Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman chat with Spike Scarberry about what it takes to succeed in screenwriting. Spike is a veteran of the Hollywood development landscape, having worked for an agency, a prod company, and a TV network.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Nathaniel Nuon. Nathaniel is the director/co-writer of a horror-thriller feature 'The Voices' (2020) starring Jordan Ladd.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Dementia: Part II' filmmakers Matt Mercer and Mike Testin. The filmmakers share their collaboration process and how they made their low-budget indie horror movie in five weeks.

Welcome back to “Ask the Coach.” As a writing coach, I answer questions from writers about how to make the work of writing happen, as well as tackling craft questions in my editorial capacity. In today’s article, I’m answering a question about finding an idea person.

'Seance' writer/director Simon Barrett shares insight behind his love of the horror genre, how he broke into the business, working on the cult favorite film VHS and his fascinating background as a private investigator.

Script's Editor Sadie Dean interviews 'Take Out Girl' director/co-writer Hisonni Johnson about his filmmaking journey starting out in Milwaukee, surrounded by a crack epidemic and gang violence, to picking up his first camera, moving to Los Angeles, and creating universal stories for people by the people.

In this new column, Script contributor Nanea Taylor shines the spotlight on screenwriter Caitlin McCarthy.

'Mood Swings' Creator/Writer/Producer shares her show’s journey, her acting background as a successful soap actress and what she’s learned from her many years in the industry that has helped better serve her writing, producing, and as an overall leader on her TV show.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Kerry Mondragon.  Topics include being the writer/director of the Adventure/Thriller 'Tyger Tyger' (2021) and while writing a screenplay, the importance of "Location, Location, Location."

“It’s who you know.” That’s an apt quote for making it in the entertainment industry. But why? Primarily, because of trust and efficiency.

You’ve probably been using Zoom for a year now. Is it time to change?

In this new video series, host Cherry Davis will speak with mentees and mentors from WOCUnite and #StartWith8Hollywood, about their writing journeys, how they got involved with the mentorship program and so much more!

What better way to launch a new podcast for artists than to lament about failure right out of the gate. Hosted by Sadie Dean of Script Magazine and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman of Pipeline Artists.

A movie twenty years in the making, director Stephen Maxwell Johnson shares insight his filmmaking journey, the inspiration and research behind making 'High Ground' and what’s next in store for him.

Tom has three films nominated for Oscars for screenwriting and one that could have been: 'Nomadland', 'Minari', 'Promising Young Woman', and 'Ammonite'.

Celebrating the Female Screenwriters Who Came Before Us: Dorothy Parker

'What Lies West' writer/director Jessica Ellis shares insight about her journey to making her directorial feature debut, crowdfunding, and her future in directing.

Consultant, educator, author, and former AFI Conservatory directing head Peter Markham gives a sense of where he's coming from, he's decided to tell you some of his reasons for writing his book "What’s the Story? The Director Meets Their Screenplay."

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with screenwriters Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly.   They are the screenwriting team behind the movie 'Golden Arm' (2020), a female buddy comedy about two competitors in the Ladies' Arm Wrestling Championship.

Feature films tend to work best when they focus on a single core idea and develop it to its fullest in order to get the most out of its dramatic potential and entertainment potential. Ray Morton shares his thoughts on why he believes TOO MUCH story got in the way of popcorn movie 'Godzilla vs. Kong'.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Oren Gottfried shares his journey from working as a surgeon to offering his expertise and wealth of knowledge to hit medical TV dramas like 'The Good Doctor' and 'Chicago Med', as well as his path to his first 'story by' credit.

Script contributor Sonya Alexander speaks with comic book writer and illustrator Matt Kindt about his latest collaboration with Keanu Reeves on Boom! Studios’ 'BRZRKR' and his career journey in the comic book world.

Script's Editor, Sadie Dean, interviews 'The Water Man' screenwriter Emma Needell. They talk about her adventurous spirit as a child who conjured stories around world-building and myth-making, her journey as a screenwriter to writing and making 'The Water Man', and her successful collaboration with director David Oyelowo. Plus, she shares invaluable advice and insight for all writers about writing what you're passionate about.

Script contributor Thuc Nguyen shines a light on ten, one of many, South-East-Asian-American filmmakers and screenwriters you and Hollywood should have your eye on.

This week Ashley Scott Meyers talks with screenwriter Richard Pierce. They talk about how Richard Pierce was the winner of the 2020 SYS's Six-Figure Screenplay Contest.