Video · 1 min
[Video]: Dialogue with Aaron Sorkin
In a candid DP30 interview, screenwriter and showrunner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The Newsroom, The West Wing, Charlie Wilson's War) discusses what he saw in…
The Journal
Vol. 17 · 1,240 entries
26 August 2026
Quote of the day
Take what’s useful, argue with the rest.
Vol. 17
Story & Structure · 4 min
Writing the High ROI Screenplay (Part 10)
This week we continue with part ten in a twelve part series of JT Velikovsky's doctoral thesis: “Understanding And Exploring The Relationship Between: Creativity; Theories Of…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best of the Web 27 Oct
Story & Structure :: Screenplay Review - The Devil In The White City :: Screenplay Review - Fathers and Daughters :: Daily Dialogue - Reservoir Dogs…
Uncategorized · 1 min
[Video]: Beau Willimon’s House of Cards
Netflix has earned worldwide success with the paradigm-breaking House of Cards, one of its flagship 'web television' programs. Creator Beau Willimon discusses the roots of the…
Story & Structure · 4 min
Bring Back Charm
There appears to be a trend in television shows over the past few years as they try to outdo one another with graphic violence and sex…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best of the Web 20 Oct
Story & Structure :: 50 Resources to Help You Outline Your Script :: Transition Scene by Scott Myers :: Screenplay Review - Time and a Half…
Video · 1 min
[Video]: Words Are Not Writing
Screenwriting guru Robert McKee looks at the essence of screenplay writing: if the dialogue, the big print, and the actions are all modified in pre-production, then…
Pitching & Selling · 3 min
Without Dramatic Conflict Your Characters Are Boring
Most of the screenplays I read lack dramatic conflict. Characters just talk and say empty words. Nothing’s happening. Often, the reason for this is because we…
Movie Reviews · 1 min
Mini Review – Mystery Road
Mystery Road Mercifully Short Review by Jonathan Empson Jay (Aaron Pedersen – who else?) is an Aboriginal cop who returns to his country town following detective…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best of the Web 13 Oct
Story & Structure :: Structuring Your Script with the Dan Harmon Story Circle :: Dialogue as “Character Communication” :: Great Character: Frank (“Donnie Darko”) :: Great…
Video · 1 min
[Video]: Synthesising Sense from Chaos
Gruff, grim and grizzled screenwriting guru Robert McKee looks at what differs sophisticated contemporary works from the golden years of stage, page and screen; the rise…
Pitching & Selling · 5 min
9 Lessons the Bible Taught Me About Screenwriting
Everyone, no matter their profession, can benefit from the wisdom contained within the most-read book on the planet. by Alicia Lawrence To prove my point, here…
Best of the Web · 1 min
Best of the Web 6 Oct
Story & Structure :: How Screenwriting Style Changed Movies :: Struggling to Conquer the Dreaded Act Two? :: 3 Ways To Write Characters That Your Mom…
Video · 1 min
[Video]: McKee on Being Onscreen
What do you do when somebody calls you up and asks if they can use you in their feature script? Hollywood screenwriting guru Robert McKee analyzes…
Uncategorized · 3 min
Writing For Sound
Telling a film story, like telling any kind of story, is about creating connections between characters, places, objects, experiences, and ideas. You try to invent a…