James Napoli

  • First Draft

First Draft: Sure, Story Structure Guides Are Useful. But When Should We Be Using Them, and How?

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. “It’s not where you take…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: Understanding the Promise of the Premise Through Nocturnal Animals, Groundhog Day and Black Mirror

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. Save the Cat practitioners will…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: Living In the Past With Flashbacks and Monologues

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. Flashbacks Nothing provokes a more…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: Knowing the Difference Between Fact and Truth When Adapting a True Story

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. Taking the 1994 film Quiz Show…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: Know Your Place, Write Better Single Locations

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. Every screenplay should be set…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: Hone Your Skills in Storytelling Efficiency With Groundhog Day

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. There are many screenplays available…

7 years ago
  • First Draft

First Draft: When Is It OK For Your Script to Use On-the-Nose Dialogue?

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, we’re publishing “First Draft,” a series on everything to do with screenwriting. Near the end of…

7 years ago
  • Screenwriting

First Draft: Lessons in Screenplay Plants and Payoffs from Chinatown and The Orphanage

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, "First Draft” is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. “Bad for glass,” says private eye…

8 years ago
  • Screenwriting

First Draft: Is it Surprise, or is it Suspense?

In partnership with Creative Screenwriting and ScreenCraft, “First Draft" is a series on everything to do with screenwriting. I had an interesting experience…

8 years ago