The summer movie season is known for convention — sequels, remakes, broad comedies, CGI spectacles; rinse and repeat. But the films that really stand out and distinguish themselves creatively are those that break with commercial movie conventions in major ways, beginning with the script. Here’s three examples from recent years…
Arrested Development Season Four debuted over the weekend on Netflix, and, although we won’t see any kind of traditional ratings from Netflix, I can safely observe that it’s been a huge trending topic online and in traditional media. I was never a big fan of the show, but I watched the first three new episodes […]
Our buddy Rob Rich over at Screenplay How To has an interview with screenwriter Joe Nienalt, who started up a program with his manager Daniel Vang of the venerable BenderSpink company to fight heart disease by giving free reads to any writer who makes a charity donation.
I recently got an email from an aspiring screenwriter in the Ukraine: Hello Dan! I’m reading your book and would like to learn more about how to make a “great script.” May I also ask you — how do you inspire authors not to be modest and blocked, but be brave and write write write? […]
Dear Screenwriters: I have THREE FREE SPOTS in today’s webinar with The Writers Store: STORY MAPPING THE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER at 1:00 PM Pacific time. NOTE: THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED US ON THE CALL. THE RECORDING OF THE VIDEO FILE (which includes the slide show presentation) IS NOW AVAILABLE AT […]
Note: This article originally appeared in Script Magazine here. There’s a debate raging now about whether or not the actors who play the superheroes in hit franchises are worth as much as the brand. Would we accept Chris Pine as Tony Stark or is Robert Downey, Jr. the only actor who can pull off Iron […]
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Screenwriter/Producer Christine Conradt joins Rob and I for the latest episode of the Story Maps Screenwriting Podcast, a casual discussion touching on many topics of interest for writers and filmmakers: Structure, concept, networking, budgets, breaking in, the Lifetime Movie Network, MOWs, Inktip, Kickstarter and more. Christine gives a lot of great advice to aspiring screenwriters, […]
Summer movie season 2013 launched with the record-breaking $175 million opening of IRON MAN 3 and I’m already busy in the labs mapping it for my upcoming webinar with The Writers Store: STORY MAPPING THE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. PDT. Sign up now at the Early Bird Price of […]
ScriptMag.com has given a thumbs up to Story Maps: The Films of Christopher Nolan! You can read the full review by Brad Johnson here. Here are some pulls from the review: “Story Maps: The Films of Christopher Nolan functions quite eloquently as an intricately detailed and compelling look into one of today’s most successful working […]
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Some of you may remember a video I made back in 2008 talking about the concept of “Trilogy Building” and the connections between one entry in a trilogy and the trilogy as a whole. In terms of story mapping, it’s basically using the Story Maps beat sheet to break down a trilogy as if it […]
You found it! That note I buried under the rock wall must have worked.
I’ve seen it. The Sixth Season opener of Mad Men? Seen that thing. Twice. That’s two times, son. A full ten days before it airs on April 7, 2013 on the AMC Network, which is better than only nine days before air. This may not seem like a big deal to you, oh Big Bang […]
Download the Zero Dark Thirty Story Map PDF
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 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 […]
The new Story Maps book is here! Story Maps: The Films of Christopher Nolan is the most detailed analysis of this brilliant director’s storytelling techniques ever written, and is sold exclusively in PDF format here…
My Oscar Screenplays webinar is back for 2014! My next webinar with the Writers Store, STORY MAPPING OSCAR-WINNING SCREENPLAYS, will go live on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific / 4:00 p.m. Eastern and you can now purchase tickets at the Early Bird Price of $69.99USD.
I just wanted to throw out a quick recommendation to watch the debut of The Americans on FX on Wednesday, January 30 (in the U.S.). I’ve seen the first two episodes and I was really impressed. Great characters, a fascinating milieu, gritty visuals that recall a classic spy thriller, and LOTS of room to […]