Get Your Story Straight
“So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key.” ~ “Already Gone” The Eagles Some time back, I wrote a piece about the hero’s most transformational moment and how important it can be in creating a satisfying story, (you can access that here: [ ]
I’m currently teaching a course called “Get Your Story Straight” for the UCLA Writers Program, and one of my students recently commented on how helpful he found the connection that I emphasize between the Inciting Incident and Plot Point #1, the turning point at the end of Act One. So, fwiw, I thought I’d share [ ]
I recently had a lot of fun doing this interview with Michael Brad at Film Reverie. In it, I talk about screenwriting as well as some of my experiences good and well, let s say challenging in the movie business. You can listen here.
One of the key moments in any screenplay is that end of Act II All is Lost moment. This is the point at which your heroine is the furthest from her goal and at her lowest point. It s important that you really take her down here, down to where all hope seems abandoned. You want [ ]
I had the extraordinary pleasure of serving as a mentor this summer at this writing retreat held at Miles Copeland s stunning 14th century Marouatte castle in the French countryside. It was a spectacular experience in every way, and I m delighted to say I ve been invited back again next July, 2019. So, if the idea of [ ]
LINKS TO ALL NOMINATED SCRIPTS ARE ATTACHED BELOW ENJOY! ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “Call Me by Your Name,” James Ivory http://test.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/call-me-by-your-name-2017.pdf “The Disaster Artist,” Scott Neustadter Michael H. Weber http://www.la-screenwriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/The-Disaster-Artist-Final-Script-clean.pdf “Logan,” Scott Frank James Mangold and Michael…
Had a truly wonderful time in lovely Scottsdale, AZ sharing screenwriting and entertainment business knowledge with the terrific folks at PSA. One of the highlights was meeting a man, Keenan Murray, (pictured here next to me), who told me that he and his wife saw ONLY YOU on their first date and have watched it [ ]
Am pleased to be joining Carlo Dallomo and the Phoenix Screenwriters Association for a 3-hour workshop on Saturday, September 16th. Looking forward to meeting the folks there and sharing scriptwriting tips and keys to effectively structuring your screenplay. More info: https://www.meetup.com/Phoenix-Screenwriters-Group/events/238286353/
I m happy to say I ll be leading a discussion of the script for the new movie SNATCHED, starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn, for the Storyboard Screenplay Development Group on Monday, May 8. These are fun gatherings of smart folks held on the Fox lot. For more info and tickets, visit: https://storyboarddg.wordpress.com/ and hope to see you [ ]
To read further https://creativescreenwriting.com/diane-drake/
Million-Dollar Advice: Screenwriter Diane Drake on Strengthening Loglines, Finding “Seed Scenes” and More By Ann Baldwin on November 14, 2016 14 Diane Drake is one of just four female screenwriters with sole credit who have earned $1 million or more for their screenplays in the United States. Her first produced script, Only You, sold [ ]
According to Wikipedia, Humanitas is a Latin noun meaning human nature, civilization and kindness. What a lovely word, isn t it? It s also the name of a wonderful organization in Los Angeles, established in 1974, which, among other things, annually gives out awards to the film and television projects it believes affirm the human dignity, [ ]
Four of my favorite writing/movie business cartoons.
I recently had the pleasure of being invited to moderate a group discussion of this script for The Storyboard Development Group at Fox Studios, and I gotta say, if you are in Los Angeles, have aspirations of being a screenwriter and are not attending these gatherings, you are missing out! The group was warm and [ ]
I m really excited to be moderating a discussion of the script for this new George Clooney/Julia Roberts movie at Fox Studios. Further details below. Hope to see you there!
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” ~ Helen Keller From a certain angle, a writer’s job can be boiled down to three simple words: “Make me care”. Consequently, a note screenwriters often get is that they need to make their lead more “sympathetic”,…
Had to share this link to Ron Suskind's incredibly fascinating and moving tale of how Disney stories helped him and the rest of his family connect with his autistic son, Owen. I don't know when I've read a greater testament to the power of story-telling and the vital role it plays in our lives.
The WGA held an event last evening to announce and celebrate the 101 Best Written Television series of all time. The inspiring, talented panel included the brilliant Carl Reiner, hilarious as ever (at 91); Norman Lear, ( All in the Family ), Vince Gilligan ( Breaking Bad ), James L. Brooks ( Mary Tyler Moore ), Steven Bochco ( Hill St. Blues ), [ ]