News · 4 min
Elephant in the Room
"Babies don't come from babies", Keith Jarrett said when he meant that great art isn't inspired by other art but by life itself. This quote shot…
The Journal
Vol. 17 · 1,240 entries
25 August 2026
Quote of the day
Take what’s useful, argue with the rest.
Vol. 17
News · 10 min
The Good Read
Recently I had the privilege and honour of reading a script by one of the most hyped young writers in this country, face on covers of…
News · 10 min
The Main Man (m/f)
"Most writers work alone. They send in the script and it gets rejected. And they never find out why. The fact is, you can't succeed as…
News · 3 min
Seizing the Sword
Once past the Ordeal, the hero is ready to Seize the Sword, says Chris Vogler. In July we received development funding for THE MORTAL COIL. Next…
News · 7 min
Just Ad(d) Words
No post in September. I had other matters to attend to (photo). (For the whole story, you may have to brush up on your Dutch.) If…
News · 3 min
Structuring the Facts
Turning real events into a working screen drama is a hell of a challenge. Whether it be a historical movie, biography or docu-drama, the smart screenwriter…
News · 2 min
Diagnosis: Obsession
Occasionally I receive requests to read a first draft and even a first draft by a first time writer. I do indeed offer story consultancy but…
News · 6 min
Stop Reading Scripts
THE DA VINCI CODE came and went, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST came and stayed and our own dear THE MORTAL COIL receives development…
News · 5 min
A Director’s Approach
Following my post on SYRIANA writer/director Stephen Gaghan, I came across an interesting discussion on the necessity of rigorous structuring vs. a more liberal, visual approach…
News · 8 min
NOT Story
Last year I attended Linda Aronson's PLOT CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP and was disappointed with her analysis of Michael Mann's THE INSIDER. Indirectly that disappointment would lead to…