Entries by StoryMapsDan

The Dark Knight Rises beat sheet speculation

Originally published on May 7, 2012 The Dark Knight Rises has yet to open, and since I’ve been analyzing Christopher Nolan’s films for a larger project, especially the first two chapters in his Batman trilogy, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, I can’t help but speculate about The Dark Knight Rises beat sheet. I’ve seen […]

Rex Pickett interview (Sideways, Vertical)

I met Rex Pickett, the author of the novel Sideways that inspired the beloved film, at a showing of Sideways: the Play, which is currently playing at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica, CA. We spoke over a glass of Pinot (yes, the wine comes with your ticket, which is already surprisingly affordable for […]

The Dark Knight Rises Pre-Cog Story Map or “How I would write the Dark Knight Rises screenplay”

In anticipation of The Dark Knight Rises opening in theaters on July 20, I’ve been analyzing Christopher Nolan’s films, especially the first two chapters in his Batman trilogy, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. I’ve found myself buried so deep into Nolan’s complex story structures that it’s been impossible for me to watch the trailers […]

Andrew Stanton on Story

I came across this TED talk by writer/director Andrew Stanton, whose credits include Toy Story 1-3, Finding Nemo, Wall-E and the upcoming John Carter. He’s got some really interesting things to say about the emotional connection between screenwriter (storyteller) and audience (listener), touching on WHY we love a great story, what we expect and how […]

Seven screenplay analysis and free download offer

What’s in the box?! Seven, written by Andrew Kevin Walker and directed by David Fincher, is one of the great thrillers of the 1990s, a decade with several exceptional thrillers. Walker’s screenplay for Seven shot him to the Script Doctor A-list, establishing him as a hot writer of dark material on spec, like 1999’s 8mm, […]

Download free Oscar screenplays

The major studios are once again posting their “For Consideration” screenplays online for Academy Award season. Some of these titles may become Oscar nominated screenplays, for Best Original Screenplay or Best Adapted Screenplay. So far, we’ve got free pdf script downloads from Universal, Fox Searchlight, Focus and Lionsgate.