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Nine crucial lessons from Mad Men's pilot

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Ending things is hard. I think most people are aware of that. And judging by how many shows end in ways that make people complain for decades…

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AFI film school #2: Schindler's List — The opposite of evil

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This is the second post where I’m looking at one of the movies from the AFI top 100 list and discussing what writers and filmmakers can learn from it…

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AFI film school #1: Rocky — Pushing to potential

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The AFI top 100 list may be one of the most daunting film lists that exists. The 100 best American movies. Well, at least the 100 best according to a group of people who…

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Focus: What to do when creating any comedy scene

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When writing or performing a comedy scene, you might be ok with the audience calling it weird. Or confusing. Or even off-putting. But whatever they do…

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Starting with a stop: How theme is everything

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This is probably the most important topic in all of storytelling, and go figure, it’s one of the things that gets the least attention. When we talk about what makes a story work...

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Visiting crazy town: How to heighten your comedy

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You’re watching a TV show. A young woman, Sonia, somewhere in her 20s, sits her parents down. She’s holding a Tickle-Me Elmo doll...

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How to Use Improv in Your Film or Show

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Your editor is probably a nice person. So maybe he doesn’t call his mom enough. Or she switches lanes without using a signal. Or he farts on a crowded subway...

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How to Create Awesome Character Duos: Reinventing the Color Wheel

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Beavis and Butthead. Arya and the Hound. Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy. Lucy and Ethel. Walter White and Jesse. Bert and Ernie. Some of the greatest duos ever on TV...