When I went to the University of Southern California for my MFA in screenwriting, I took a one-hour TV drama course for my thesis. My thesis adviser said there were three types of TV writers: “big ...

Maybe you’re thinking about writing a screenplay, but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’re interested in following in the footsteps of writer-directors such as Mindy Kaling or Jordan Peele.

Dialogue shouldn’t sound natural. Maybe that’s a hot take, especially given the sage advice that usually comes from well-meaning writing teachers or trusted mentors. Because of course we need dialogue ...