Out of This World
John Carter has been in the news a lot lately, and not for good reasons. Everyone, from Pixar enthusiasts, Hollywood insiders and business analysts are quick to point out that this film’s failure is historic. I have not come to praise Carter, but I am not going to make fun of it either. I haven’t even seen it. But I have seen the trailers. And from what I can tell from them, director Andrew Stanton uses a lot of CGI (computer-generated imagery) in this film….
Perspectives
From one perspective, life is miserable. But that doesn’t make it any less funny. Let me explain. I have a friend who only directs dramas. Sure, he enjoys comedies, but he’s never going to open up and agree to direct anything with me, because, well, all I write is funny (or tries to be). What I’ve tried to explain to him, and have had no luck doing, is that my favorite dramas are also funny. I laugh when Emma Thompson catches Anthony Hopkins’ uptight butler…
Lessons from a Legend: Robert Towne
Last night, screenwriter Robert Towne spoke in between a presentation of his two LA masterpieces, Chinatown and The Two Jakes. Disarmingly honest, funny, and quite wise, he shared his writing philosophy and answered some questions about the movies from the audience. Sure, the questions were fawning, and the answers were not always straightforward, but here are the lessons I gleaned from his talk. 1) Don’t be afraid to write more than necessary. Protagonist J.J. Gittes makes many allusions to Chinatown in the movie, but we…
Eat, Pray, Bro
Here are some initial thoughts on The Hangover: Part 2 -Is the monkey in all of the scenes? He should be. -Where is the other guy? -If The Hangover is really the Citizen Kane of bachelor party movies—what does that make Bachelor Party? The Bachelor Party of bachelor party movies? -It can’t live up to anyone’s expectations. Let me address that last point. Sure, I haven’t seen the movie, and I don’t really know what it’s about, but I’m already a little worried. Yes, it’s…
Visual Storytelling
Screenwriters may spend a great deal of time working with dialogue, but sometimes it’s best to step back and let the story speak for itself. You can spend your time studying silent films, the ultimate in visual storytelling, but there are some great contemporary films that also work well as learning aids. One of my favorites is The Little Matchgirl, directed by Roger Allers and released in 2006. Hans Christian Anderson’s timeless tale of a child selling matches on a winter’s day works as a…
A Year in LA
So, a year has passed since graduation from college and my move out to LA, which is weird because it has felt like a decade. Sure, there have been disappointments, I mean, the best I could do in one year, three screenplays, a plethora of sketches, countless query letters, and a ukulele band (just kidding on that last one) was a positive read from a producer and another read from a fledgling production company. The stand-up comedy career fizzled after my girlfriend walked out of…
Ivan Passer on Directing
Last weekend I was lucky enough to see Czech director Ivan Passer speak about his film Intimate Lighting at the Silent Movie Theatre. It’s an awesome movie, one filled with moments of humor, emotion, and wisdom; all of which feel understated and real. Written in 1965 while Czechoslovakia was under communist control, it’s a truly beautiful, incisive look at small-town life—independent, sly, and even slightly subversive. After the show Passer answered questions from the audience. I was fascinated to learn that all but one of…
Learning to Laugh
I am taking another improv class at the Upright Citizens Brigade. I really like the new instructor, he has an attitude toward comedy that’s more analytic than the way I have been taught. For example, this exercise: He told us to first of all, laugh, and then after investigate the reasons why. He told us it would ruin the way we enjoy comedy and it’s true, it is difficult to be analytical about something that is so instinctive, but I have really treasured this activity….
When Screenwriters Talk…
Of all the players in the film industry, the screenwriter is meted the least respect. He or she fights for agents and meetings with executives, is forced to rewrite at least seven or eight times, and often is underpaid for the effort. Then when a director does come on board, the existing document is rewritten to fit completely new specs. There is never really a time when the screenwriter can truly speak up and be heard. Unless, of course, that screenwriter is giving a lecture….
Rating the Forums
William Goldman famously said about Hollywood “Nobody knows anything” and I think online screenwriting forums are good evidence of this. I have always tried to avoid them, convinced that they are, well, a waste of time. If I am going to be a screenwriter, I better spend more time writing for the screen than writing for other screenwriters. The best thing I have done for my screenwriting career is to start this blog and seek out other bloggers. Instead of spending time in the local…
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