Entries by StoryMapsDan

Zero Dark Thirty Screenplay Analysis

For its subject matter, Zero Dark Thirty became the most controversial movie of 2012, but the storytelling is what makes it the year’s most bold film. The screenplay breaks a lot of rules, but it works, in large part because of the weight of the subject matter and the knowledge that the audience brings into […]

The Shawshank Redemption Podcast and FREE Story Map Beat Sheet download

The Story Maps Screenwriting Podcast Episode V: The Shawshank Redemption is now available for download along with an exclusive 13-page Story Map PDF for newsletter subscribers. Listen now to our Shawshank Redemption Podcast: [audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/storymapspodcast/Episode_Five_-_The_Shawshank_Redemption_Podcast.mp3]   Exclusive PDF for Story Maps Newsletter Subscribers: Download the FREE The Shawshank Redemption Story Map and read along as you […]

J.J. Abrams, you’re my only hope.

It was announced recently that J.J. Abrams has been hired to direct the first Star Wars feature film since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, joining Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3) who has been hired to pen the screenplay. They are both top talents and I’m hoping they can rekindle my interest […]

Mad Men in Black and White

In a unique move, AMC has released the first publicity stills for Mad Men Season 6 and they are in black and white. They remind me of those candid photos from celebrity parties in the 1950S and 1960S. You expect to see Truman Capote or Frank Sinatra in the background of one of these shots. […]

Golden Globes 2013 Winners

The 70th Golden Globes telecast was a fun show, even if I could have used more Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. The love for Homeland continued, unabated, which makes me wonder, if Nikki Finke is correct in that the Golden Globe award goes to the highest bidder, how much money and gifts did Showtime shell […]

Oscar Noms 2013 Full List

Here they are. Let us know who you’re rooting for in the Comments below and who you feel got snubbed. Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards Best motion picture of the year “Amour” Nominees to be determined “Argo” Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck and George Clooney, Producers “Beasts of the Southern Wild” Dan Janvey, Josh Penn […]