Screenwriting Blog

What makes a great scene in a screenplay? We asked veteran TV writer Ross Brown, who you may recognize from hugely popular shows like “Step by Step” and “Who’s the Boss.” Brown now spends his time teaching other creative writers how to get their story ideas to the screen as the director of the MFA program at Antioch University in Santa Barbara. Below, he reveals his tips for developing scenes and sequences that will propel your script forward. “Developing scenes and sequences, well, you have to ask yourself what the purpose of the scene or the purpose of the sequence is, and then make sure you’re achieving ... Continue reading

The video game industry is undeniably booming. Technology is pushing games toward further realism than we’ve ever seen before. Games are crafting complex movie-like plots, and fans are passionately engaged, making it a multi-billion-dollar-a-year revenue-generating industry. And you know what? Someone has to write those stories. So, why do I not see anyone talking about how to become a script writer for video games? Despite all of the screenwriting advice out there, it’s hard to find information about breaking into the game-writing industry. What is it like to write a script for a video game? Well, now I’ve ... Continue reading

Sam Mendes, born August 1, 1965 - Happy birthday, Sir Samuel Mendes! Mendes is perhaps best known for his directorial accomplishments, but he’s also a talented producer and screenwriter. He first directed plays before moving on to directing mega-hit films, including “American Beauty,” “Skyfall,” “Spectre,” and the latest Oscar-nominated film for best screenplay, “1917,” which he also co-wrote with screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Cecile Aubry, born August 3, 1928 - The French screenwriter, director, actor, and author Cecile Aubry was born on this day in history in 1928. She got her big break as a dancer at ... Continue reading

We've interviewed a lot of screenwriters, and there's one thing they all have in common: they're extremely disciplined when it comes to their professional AND personal writing time. Even if a screenwriter is gainfully employed, they often treat their own writing time like a full-time job. If you're struggling with your writing process, take some cues from the pros, such as Disney writer Ricky Roxburgh, who writes "Tangled: The Series" and works on other Disney TV shows regularly. Even I was surprised by his discipline and the amount of extra time he dedicates to his craft. But you know what? This is what it often takes ... Continue reading

Almost every job under the sun requires a resume, but often screenwriters wonder if they should have one. I'm here to tell you that the answer is yes, you should have a resume! Unless you are an already highly established writer, it's a good idea to have a resume prepared, and ready to go when opportunity strikes. Why do I need a screenwriter's resume? Nearly every fellowship opportunity I've submitted myself for, as well as some screenwriting competitions, have asked for some sort of resume or CV (think of it as a more in-depth resume). When you meet new people in the industry, they'll often google you ... Continue reading

The best stories are about characters. They’re memorable, unique, and relatable. But, giving your characters personality and purpose isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why we love when experienced writers share their secrets, like these from Emmy-winning writer Monica Piper. You may recognize Monica’s name from hit shows such as “Roseanne,” “Rugrats,” “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters,” and “Mad About You.” She told us that her recipe for great characters is a combination of relying on what she knows, what she sees, and a touch of conflict. 1. Know How Your Character Exists in Their Physical World. “I think people write ... Continue reading

Looking to learn more about screenwriting, or maybe just the industry in general? Screenwriting podcasts are a good option and will give you well-rounded advice and viewpoints from various personal perspectives. It’s like having a screenwriting friend, right in your earbuds! From some of the most experienced writers to development executives who can make or break your career, here are my top five favorite screenwriting podcasts! Sam & Jim Go to Hollywood - While they’re not currently making new episodes, this podcast is still fantastic as it chronicles two writers, Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn, as they move to LA ... Continue reading

Ross Brown, a veteran TV writer, and creative writing professor, reveals his keys to character development in this interview with SoCreate, from the mystical to the more mundane things a screenwriter should consider when building their character list. You may have seen Ross’ name attached to hugely popular shows like “Step by Step” and “The Cosby Show,” but now he spends his time teaching other writers how to get their story ideas to the screen as the director of the MFA program at Antioch University in Santa Barbara. For him, the key to developing characters is a balance of structure and ... Continue reading

Screenwriters today have more resources for support, education, and exposure than ever before. So, how do we cut through the clutter of content and get to the good stuff? Disney writer Ricky Roxburgh writes “Tangled: The Series” and works on other Disney TV shows regularly. He's named his top 3 online resources for screenwriters, and they're all FREE. Subscribe, listen, and follow them today. “I follow Chris McQuarrie. His Twitter is great. He answers a lot of questions from people.” Christopher McQuarrie is a screenwriter, producer, and director, working often with Tom Cruise on films including “Top Gun ... Continue reading

Some creatives struggle with discipline. We'd rather let the ideas flow to us organically, and work when we're feeling inspired. If this sounds like you, you'll want to hear these inspiring tips from screenwriter and journalist Bryan Young (SyFy.com, HowStuffWorks.com, StarWars.com). He tells us how he stays focused on writing, and reveals an impressive stat when it comes to the writing promise he's been holding himself to for the past several years." My writing discipline, personally, comes from the fact that I write every day no matter what, or I spend time doing something related to my writing every day ... Continue reading