A Film Within a Film: Robert Budreau on Born to Be Blue
Robert Budreau discusses research, the advantages of directing your own script, and the themes and influences of his latest film.
By Brock Swinson. Led by Ethan Hawke, Born to Be Blue is trying to expand beyond the limitations of past music biopics. The film opens with legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis approaching musician Chet Baker to develop a film about Baker’s life. At the time, the jazz musician was down on his luck in Europe […]
For Every Character a Story: Bob Nelson on The Confirmation
Bob Nelson discusses writing (and re-writing) personal stories, similarities between Nebraska and The Confirmation, and whether to end up or down.
By Brock Swinson. In The Confirmation, Anthony is on the fence about spending time with his hapless, alcoholic father. Equally unsure of their upcoming time together, Walt, a freelance carpenter, picks up his son for what he assumes to be a calm weekend while his ex-wife and her new husband go off on a Catholic […]
“As a woman you have to assume it won’t get made, but keep writing anyway.” Julie Delpy on Lolo
Julie Delpy on female screenwriters, the “Before” trilogy, and her latest film Lolo.
By Brock Swinson. Julie Delpy is a French-American screenwriter, actress, and director. As a graduate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Delpy has been in over 30 films, perhaps best known for work in Richard Linklater’s Before- Trilogy, co-starring Ethan Hawke. Within her many ventures, she has been nominated for two Academy […]
“When it’s time to be funny, you have to be funny.” Kung Fu Panda 3
Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger discuss what television taught them about character-based stories, the most difficult step in the writing process, and how to write for a panda.
By Brock Swinson. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger are the minds behind the hit animated trilogy, Kung Fu Panda. With a cast including Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, Kate Hudson and many more, the series has become a staple of the family films genre. In the third […]
Befriending Writer’s Block
Depth psychotherapist Philip Ruddy discusses breaking down writer’s block through exploring the unconscious, Active Imagination, and courage.
By Brock Swinson. Philip Ruddy is a depth psychotherapist with a masters degree in Counseling Psychology, who also happens to have fifteen years’ experience working as a writer and producer. As such, he is well-equipped to understand the creative mind, and he works with writers, artists and performers to help them with creative blocks, anxiety, […]
