One of the most critical early questions any new writer has to answer is deceptively simple: is your show going to be a half hour or an hour? Knowing TV writing structure is absolutely critical, and that starts with knowing the differences between these two familiar...
Every field has its own vocabulary. Screenwriting has it. Publishing has it too. Real estate, medicine, music—all rely on shared terminology so professionals can work together smoothly. If you really want to hone your TV writing fundamentals, then you have to start...
Understanding modern TV writing is top of mind for anyone trying to break into the business. If you’re a new television writer—or a prose writer who’s TV-curious—you’ve probably heard some version of this advice in your journey: “Study the classics.” That means watch...
You’ve written your screenplay. Maybe you've even submitted it to The Black List, the industry’s go-to marketplace for discovering new writing talent. But then the results come in — you score a 6 or 7, a mixed bag of feedback, and that sinking feeling that your script...
October is the time of year when most people retreat back inside. As the weather gets cooler, perhaps wetter, summer’s glow gone, we find indoor things to do. If you’re like me, one of those indoor activities is watching movies – not just any movies either, a healthy dose of spooky cinema. That’s why, with the leaves falling all around me, I want to talk about the best horror movies for screenwriters.
While the standard screenplay hasn’t really changed (much) since the first script hit a Hollywood set, what makes a good and sellable screenplay has transformed tremendously. That should make a lot of sense, right? Screenplays are blueprints for movies and the movies...