Reading that story conference between Kasdan, Spielberg, and Lucas might have taught me more about writing than any class I've taken. I hope I get the chance to see him at the Austin Film Festival.

That was rather enlightening. Just when I think I'm crazy some one agrees with my process.

I also don't "rewrite" but will change the dialog in a scene twenty times before I move on.

I think writing the script to be filmed makes a lot of sense. Terry and Ted do that also.

I'm also trying to get out of the "bigger, brighter = better" mentality. Juno was so small you could barely see it. UP is another example. Even superhero movies are less complex and more about the people as they deal with things rather than forcing more set pieces and pizazz.

HE also said something I really believe in: watch a bunch of movies similar and steal from them. At least you know you found something that works.

Again, excellent piece.

FYI: Your Grand Canyon link in the intro has The Accidental Tourist as the text (so Accidental Tourist appears twice).

Thanks, Scot, for that. I'll fix the link.