From the digital archives of ‘Script Magazine,’ we bring you a past interview of Syd Field.  Screenwriting “Guru” Syd Field sits down with Script Magazine to share his knowledge on story structure and discuss the difficult task of breaking in the industry. Ask screenwriters what the fundamental structure of a feature screenplay is and they’re likely [...]

Is drama a genre? “Of course it is!” you’ll all shout at me. After all, it’s listed on IMDb isn’t it? Well yes, but have we come to use (and misuse) it as a catch-all for a piece of fiction that isn’t quite any of the other genres? Be honest?! What about that time when [...]

People who know me, who’ve worked with me, who’ve heard me speak, know that I advocate becoming an expert. An expert in your craft. An expert in a genre. An expert of your brand I am certainly not the person who invented this concept. In the industry, it is a simple truth that in order [...]

This month at ScriptMag, we’re focusing on what you can do in the New Year to really improve yourself, both in craft and in your chances of success as a writer. Whether that means taking screenwriting classes, building your network, or learning how to meditate, everything you do has a potential to help you grow [...]

We’ve all heard the laments: why are playwrights more respected than screenwriters; why do playwrights retain copyright and screenwriters don’t; why do screenwriters get treated like dirt  and playwrights like gods; why can’t you change a single word of a playwright’s work, but it’s okay to completely rewrite a screenwriter’s script? The fact is, playwrights [...]

This week ScriptMag celebrates screenwriting consultant Ruth Atkinson’s website. Ruth Atkinson is a Los Angeles-based script consultant and story editor with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of the film and television business. Films Ruth has consulted on have won awards and been distributed around the world including The Perfect Family starring Kathleen [...]

Here’s the scene. It was night on a cold and windswept mountaintop movie set. Writer and movie star had found shelter near the playback monitors. I was passing on to Bruce Willis the conversation I’d had with the producers earlier in the afternoon. “They want you to dial back on the f-bombs, partner,” I said. [...]

When I first began writing in the screen trade, in what now feels like 200 B.C., I thought my job was pretty much done after I wrote and finalized my submission draft. Screenplay edited, polished, vetted by my trusted supporters, and ready for the cold, hard world of the screenplay spec market. Well, it was [...]

Question: What are the biggest mistakes you think writers make? If you’re going to fail as a writer, then you might as well get it over with now.  Then you can focus on your day job and watch television all night.  The following 3 keys are guaranteed to unlock the door to instant failure and [...]