Story & Structure · 5 min
The Idea: The Seven Elements Of A Viable Story
The Idea is a book that could save screenwriters weeks, months or even years of time wasted on projects that will never make it to the…
The Journal
Vol. 20 · 1,240 entries
25 October 2026
Script Perfection · 1 min
Bad Hombres, Good Homages And Effective Character Intros
In this video, we look at a few film homages, and what may qualify as a good one. In FRANCES HA, Noah Baumbach paid homage to…
Story & Structure · 5 min
“Set Up The Goal Before The End Of Act 1” – And Other Bad Screenwriting Advice
If anyone tells you that a screenwriter must set up the story goal before the end of Act 1, avoid their screenwriting advice. They don't understand…
Book Reviews · 6 min
Screenwriting Book Review: Constructing a Story
Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Le Clown et l'Enfant (2017) Language: English Publisher's Store: https://2ks.co/leclown Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2ICpsGD THE AUTHOR Yves Lavandier took a degree in Civil Engineering, then studied film at…
Script Check · 3 min
FORMATTING TIP: Superimposed Text + Over Black
So we've started a YouTube channel! Steven Miao created the opening video sting and Mukul Kandara helped with setting it all up. Thanks, guys! The channel…
Story & Structure · 14 min
What I Hate About Studios [And Why I ‘Get’ Some Pirates]
About 5 years ago, Sheridan Cleland of MyPDFscripts wrote the below article on his blog. Soon after, the site disappeared. I wanted to keep the memory…
Story & Structure · 6 min
Get Out Is An Instant-Classic [Five Reasons – And Spoilers]
Get Out was initially written to be a Rosemary's Baby type dark psychological horror, yet some people seem to call it a comedy. How can a film…
The Screenwriter's Life · 5 min
Is It Worth It? [The Answer]
I received a letter from Kryz, asking Is it worth it? The subtext of the letter expresses doubts about his chances of making it in the industry,…
The Screenwriter's Life · 4 min
Is It Worth It? [The Letter]
I received a letter from a screenwriter with doubts. Doubts about his chances of making it in the industry, about his process in trying to get…
![Is It Worth It? [The Letter]](https://www.staging.thestorydepartment.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/writer-is-depressed.jpg)
Story & Structure · 4 min
5 Reasons Why Loglines Are Incredibly Important
Loglines can predict failures. This week, I watched a movie where the writer had not adopted critical notes. The film failed. I'm not saying that it would…
Story & Structure · 5 min
Screenwriter At The Movies: Casablanca (1942)
Last week, at my local cinema, I had the privilege of seeing a digital restoration of the classic film Casablanca. I’ve seen it a million times,…
Pitching & Selling · 5 min
Is It Done? 7 Signs You’re Ready To Sell Your Script
There's no greater insecurity than the doubts that keep you from selling your creative work. Is it good? Is it great? Or is it useless? Should I…
Story & Structure · 5 min
Gold (2016) [Screenwriter At The Movies]
Before I left for the cinema, I checked Rotten Tomatoes. They had this movie rated at 41% critics/ 51% fans. Normally, that’s a pretty good sign…
Story & Structure · 6 min
What Assassin’s Creed’s failure teaches us about dramatic tension
Assassin’s Creed was produced on a budget of US $125 million and released around the world at the end of 2016. Over the last month, the…
Story & Structure · 4 min
Shaun Of The Dead [So, What’s The Plan?]
I totally love Shaun Of The Dead (2004). It's not just a great horror spoof; it's a bloody great movie. And its clarity has much to do…
![Shaun Of The Dead [So, What’s The Plan?]](https://www.staging.thestorydepartment.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/sotd1-w.jpg)