Pulling Premises: How to find the funny in anything

How do you make a codependent relationship funny? Or someone needing medical marijuana? Or an impoverished…

The Secret about Writer's Block

As both a writer and a teacher of writing, the topic of writer’s block has found its way into my thoughts and conversations many times.…

AFI film school #29: E.T.— A touch of empathy

Lots of these movies are famous, but most are not as famous as this one…

Comedy Come Easy: How to effortlessly incorporate humor into your script

If a drama with no comedy relief is painful, then a comedy without it is a session in an iron maiden…

AFI film school #28: Raging Bull— I felt things

Scorsese is so often associated with gangsters and gritty killing…

AFI film school #27: Annie Hall— Crashing through the fourth wall

Movies might not necessarily have rules, but there’s a helluva lot of guidelines…

AFI film school #26: Forrest Gump— Controversial is as controversial does

There’s films on the AFI top 100 list, featuring protagonists who commit horrific crimes…

AFI film school #25: Raiders of the Lost Ark— And addressing Scorsese's comments

The AFI top 100 list is sure as hell no popularity contest…

AFI film school #24: The Godfather 2— Or The Godfather Also

Being a sequel is tough. You’re almost expected to suck…