The Realization.
The moment of internal recognition when the protagonist discovers that he or she has grown, usually through a new value system replacing the old.
How to have fun with the moment.
Don't skip past the moment. Stop. Explore. Have fun with it.
When to worry about theme.
Of all the vital elements of storytelling, theme is probably the most misunderstood.
The scene's intention and why it matters.
There are a few vital questions that we should always have definitive answers for. Above all is, “What is the intention of the scene?”
Story vs Character Arc.
I haven't used the term "character arc" in decades.
What are the protagonist’s expectations for the future?
When we define their expectations and how they feel about them, we define the character.
Deliver what you promise.
You make a promise either in the logline, Act 1 or both. You need to make sure your screenplay delivers.
Where do you get your legitimacy?
If you had hundreds of people who wanted you to read their screenplay, what would it take for you to choose one over the others?
Writing with a partner.
Why do it, what to watch out for, and even a process that might work for you.
It must work emotionally first.
If it works intellectually but doesn't work emotionally, it doesn't work at all.
Do you really need to pick a genre?
Twenty-nine years as a professional screenwriter, and I have never once been asked to pick a genre.
The magic of sequence throughlines.
While ALIEN was not written in 8 sequences, it is a superb example of the 8-sequence approach.