Let's Get Into It!

I’ve enjoyed a long and successful screenwriting career, and I’ve been teaching this craft for over 20 years. There are plenty of people in Hollywood looking to make a buck off your dreams. I’m not one of them.

What I offer here is free for you to use, and if you’re a teacher, free for you to share with your students. This is the information I wish I had when I first arrived in Hollywood.

This site was created for three types of users.

First, screenwriters. That includes those just getting started and looking for a clear path forward, as well as experienced writers who have already written screenplays and want to sharpen their skills or approach their work from a new angle.

Second, creatives working in the entertainment industry. Whether you’re in story development, working as an assistant, or even an executive dealing with a little imposter syndrome, the lessons here are designed to strengthen your understanding of story. The goal is simple: help you develop your ideas, and the ideas of others, into material that’s clear, compelling, and marketable.

Third, teachers. If you’re teaching screenwriting, film, or creative writing at any level, from junior high through college, the concepts on this site can be brought directly into the classroom. These lessons are designed to challenge students while engaging them in a form of storytelling they already connect with..

I’ve added a range of content to the site beyond the Magnificent 7–24 material. You’ll find pages with links to screenplays, outlines, short stories, and even some never-before-seen artwork

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I’ve also included media pages featuring podcasts I’ve participated in, where I discuss the business of screenwriting and more. 

These are worth your time, as I go beyond what’s covered here and get into the realities of the industry.

You’ll also find two video lectures focused on three-act structure and the Magnificent 7–24 Method.

New material will be added each week, including an upcoming section called People Hiding In Walls, where I’ll share real-life stories from the battlefield of pitch sessions.