Story and Plot Screenwriting
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.
The Passion Polish
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... The Passion Polish. Many years ago, my...
A movie is one image after the next.
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is brought to you by the Story and Plot Courses. Thank you for being a part of Story and Plot Pro! One image after another. My goal for every screenplay: To evoke the emotional and visual experience of watching the movie on screen. When the reader has finished my screenplay, I want them to feel like they have seen the movie. This gives me the best chance of getting to yes. Yes, to produce it. Yes, to direct it. To star in it. Finance it and distribute it. I...
As long as its obvous.
It can be subtle, as long as it's obvious. I’ve worked with two writers this week who both had me referencing perhaps my favorite concept from Billy Wilder, “It can be subtle, as long as it’s obvious.” (His exact words were always much more elegant, but the way I learned it 30 years ago has always stayed in my mind.) Like these writers and many before, I struggled with the same perspective. I wanted to be a smart writer. I wanted smart people to like my work. So I thought that meant being...
How do I write this genre?
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is 3 years old. In April of 2023, I had a list of 1173 emails from teaching for nearly 20 years. I decided to write a screenwriting email every Tuesday to share what I know and promote my courses. Three years later, there are now 13,400 subscribers I assumed I would miss an occasional Tuesday, but I never have. Not one. Writing this email every week has gotten me through some tough stretches, and I hope it has helped elevate your screenwriting as no other...
I took a spec out last week, Part 2.
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... We took a spec out last week, Part 2 Last...
I took a spec out last week, Part 1.
The Story and Plot Weekly Email is brought to you by the Story and Plot Courses. Thank you for being a part of Story and Plot Pro! We took a spec out last week. I’ve referenced it often here in the Weekly Email as BACK UP. A sci-fi film noir. We changed the title to RESET for reasons that are too complicated to get into here. It’s been a while since I’ve gone out wide with a script. I have not been as prolific the last couple of years. 2024 had some personal events that were a real punch in...
How to write that text message in your screenplay.
There is so much more to Story and Plot than the Weekly Email. Here is my personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: You’re in Story and Plot Pro, so next steps is probably to join us for a writing sprint and get some work done! Remember, I’m here to support you. Jump into the community, or email me and let me know what you need help with. I love those coaching-in-public videos! I want more of ‘em! Now, on to this week's email... How to write that text message in your screenplay. Text...
Comparison is the thief of joy.
If you like The Story and Plot Weekly Email... You will LOVE the Story and Plot courses. While the Weekly Email is designed to help your screenwriting, the courses are designed to transform it. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Don't forget to take advantage of some writing sprints this week. Now, on to this week's email... Comparison is the thief of joy. I was back in Los Angeles several years ago to visit the set of...
What project do you write next?
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... Which project do you write next? Every...
The narrative point of view.
The Weekly Email is just a part of Story and Plot. It is the courses and workshops that make the Free Weekly Email possible. Here is a personal recommendation for [COPY_NAME GOES HERE]: Thanks for being a member of Story and Plot Pro! Make sure you take advantage of a writing sprint this week! If you have any questions or if you want to update or change your membership, let me know. Remember, I’m here to support you. Now, on to this week's email... The narrative point of view. We’ve discussed...
A weekly screenwriting lesson from a professional screenwriter of 28 years who has been teaching the subject for almost as long.