A unique voice and iconoclast, Colin Higgins was one of the most important screenwriters of the 1970s and early 1980s. Born in France but raised in Australia by an Australian mother and American father, Higgins was a young man searching for his place...

John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club is one of the most beloved films ever made. Many of its themes—such as bullying and alienation—ring as true for teenagers today as it did when it was first released in 1985.

With contributions from various writers, a director and even the actors, the screenplay for Jaws is one of the best examples of cinema being a collaborative art form. And the circumstances surrounding the writing prove that sometimes a deadline is go...

In the normally male-dominated world of screenwriting, Leigh Brackett distinguished herself as a versatile talent who worked on some of the biggest films of all time, including The Empire Strikes Back.

In my opinion, the greatest success story in screenwriting belongs to Billy Wilder. The Austrian-born Wilder was a Jewish scribe in the prewar German film industry. When Hitler and the Nazi regime began their rise of power, Wilder, who was very stree...

Actor Ben Mendelsohn has been getting his share of acclaim for his portrayal of Rogue One’s main villain: Imperial Officer Orson Krennic. No doubt, it’s a wonderful performance, but credit should also be given to the writers for creating a three-dime...

This might sound obvious enough, but many novice writers make the mistake of writing a spec script that’s not easily attachable. They write a script that doesn’t have a clear-cut lead or the lead character isn’t appealing to an actor. Although not im...

Naturally when writing a comedy, the writer will want to lampoon certain trends in our culture. The best satire is always a commentary of the times. That being said, the shelf life of a fresh joke isn’t particularly long. What might seem funny to you...

Like 1983’s Vacation, 1989’s Christmas Vacation was written by John Hughes and likewise based on one of his National Lampoon short stories (this one entitled “Christmas ’59”). A beloved sequel and holiday film, Christmas Vacation has been entertainin...