The great part about our job is: 1. We are always learning something, and 2. Everything we learn applies to what we do! If you don’t keep a journal, I would suggest one. That’s where I keep notes, breakthroughs, a-ha’s! and new words I don’t...
I had the opportunity to speak to an amazing group of creative professionals on Friday. They come from a tradition of real greatness. And this tradition continues with the same verve, excitement, and frontier spirit in the films these artists are making now. I was...
One of my favorite ideas that came out of writing Save the Cat! is “Stasis = Death.” I talk about it a lot in class because it’s such a cool thing in my opinion. And the more I do, the more I see how vital...
Through snow, and hail, and wind, and rain, I travel the globe. It’s all part of my mission: the bringing of da Cat! And I love it! Last week my peregrinations took me to Austin, Texas and Charleston, South Carolina and apart from an unexpected...
I so rarely critique current movies as part of talking about screenwriting. I know Robert McKee likes to do this in his seminars, and he’s very entertaining — he’s especially funny with movies he dislikes! But I more often point to movies in class that...
My 15-point beat sheet is proving to be the secret weapon of storytellers everywhere. One person explained the success of this and other Cat! tools by relating a key moment in the evolution of the sport of scuba diving. Huh? That’s what I said when...
The great part about teaching is the teacher keeps learning. And you never know when the lesson will strike. If I suddenly look like I’m listening to a far-off dog whistle, head cocked, slightly blank expression, repeating something I said a moment ago, odds are...
The Seattle Beats Workshop this weekend was so good it took me a day to decompress! I’m back at the ol’ Wurlitzer keyboard again today, but still reliving the glorious and entertaining moments from this past two days! It always amazes me! Twelve writers walk...
All stories are about transformation. And seeing this as a good thing is the starting point of writing a successful story of any kind. Something has to happen, change has got to occur. That’s why the opening image (the snapshot of the world BEFORE) of...
I am still getting emails from writers who attended my PitchFest speech. Apparently they liked what they heard. I am grateful for all the wonderful response. I also have heard from a number of writers I met with prior to their sessions with executives and...
