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…

Nine crucial lessons from The Wire's pilot

Look at any list where the greatest TV series ever are ranked, and you’ll commonly see…

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…

Shape a Show and Get Your Name in Lights

Answer a few question about what you want in our new stand-up series, and you’ll be credited as a “Consulting Producer"...

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…