Letting the Characters Lead in Forsaken
Brad Mirman discusses his friendship with the Sutherlands, his disdain for outlines and notecards, and the importance of knowing when to pick your battles on set.
By Matthew Wade Reynolds. When 24 star Kiefer Sutherland happened upon the idea of co-starring with his legendary father Donald Sutherland for the first time in their careers (they’ve appeared in the same film on occasion, including 1996’s A Time to Kill, but not together) he turned to a trusted friend and collaborator, writer Brad […]
Tearing the Copy To Shreds: Jeffery Hatcher on Mr. Holmes
Jeffrey Hatcher discusses the tricky business of reverse-engineering mysteries, explains how to use plot holes to your advantage, and offers an unusual technique for adapting novels.
By Matthew Wade Reynolds. Nearly overlooked amid the noisy comic book blockbusters, last summer’s quiet, enchanting Mr. Holmes, starring Ian McKellen in the title role, is a perfect gem. The film is a model of procedural efficiency and emotional sincerity, as an ailing Sherlock Holmes, in the throes of retirement, if not dementia, struggles to piece together […]
We Are Your Friends: A High-Pressure Partnership
Max Joseph and Meaghan Oppenheimer discuss working together for the first time, how their solo projects launched their careers, and why there’s no substitute for the real world when it comes to inspiration.
By Matthew Wade Reynolds. Filmmaker Max Joseph and Blacklist writer Meaghan Oppenheimer had never even met, never mind worked together when they plunged into a writing partnership under a high-pressure deadline to turn out DJ drama We Are Your Friends, starring Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski and Wes Bentley (Warner Bros. Pictures) Closing out another summer […]
“95% of scripts are overwritten.” Robert Flaxman on Screenwriting
Robert Flaxman on deep feedback, turning novelists into sceenwriters, and writing your own version of The Godfather.
By Matthew Wade Reynolds. It’s a situation all too familiar – the hard work of writing the script is done, now for the tricky task of getting it read. Friends and family are too nice. Agents too busy. And producers don’t know what they want until after someone else gets it. (“How about a talking […]
Table 58: Technology Serving the Story
Writer and producer May Chan describes working in the new media environment, her unabashed love for classic sitcoms, and how being terrified of E.T. as a child proved the perfect training to be a kids show writer.
By Matthew Wade Reynolds. For anyone who grew up in the quaint old days of cable television, with only hundreds of channels to flip through (never mind the era of just three networks and PBS) today’s wealth of choices can be overwhelming – not just what to watch, but how. On-demand? Streaming? DVR? Watching – […]
