Black List Writers on the Craft
Some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters share insights from my interviews.
Some of Hollywood’s top screenwriters share insights from my interviews.
Over the years, I have interviewed 53 Black List writers. Here are links to a GITS series in which I excerpted insights and observations from many of these writer interviews about key aspects of the craft.
How do you come up with story concepts?
Black List writers on the craft: Story Concepts (Part 1) — Waiting for inspiration to strike
Black List writers on the craft: Story Concepts (Part 2) — Reading to surface story concepts
Black List writers on the craft: Story Concepts (Part 3) — Sourcing story ideas from the real world
Black List writers on the craft: Story Concepts (Part 6) — Assessing and developing story ideas
What aspects of story prep do you devote the most time and focus to?
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 1) — Research
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 2) — Characters as the focal point of prep
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 3) — Not using an outline as part of prep process
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 4) — “Preliminary” outlines
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 5) — Working with an extensive outline
Black List writers on the craft: Story Prep (Part 6) — Comprehensive approach to story prep
How do you develop your characters?
Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 1) — Real people
Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 2) — Brainstorming and asking questions
Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 3) — Biography
Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 4) — Finding a character’s voice
Black List writers on the craft: Characters (Part 5) — Insider Tips
How do you understand and work with the concept of ‘theme’?
Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 1) — What is theme?
Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 2) — Begin the story-crafting process with theme
Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 3) — Discover theme during the writing process
Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 4) — Not come off as “preachy”
Black List writers on the craft: Theme (Part 5) — Being personal
If you read this series, you will see there is a wide range of approaches to the craft. This underscores the point I make often on this site: There is no right way to write. You have to discover your own process.
That said, if you read interviews with writers, such as those who have written scripts which made the annual Black List, and you see a tip or technique which resonates with you, go ahead and try it. You just might find it unlocks a whole new way of breaking and writing a story.
To read all of my interviews with Black List writers, go here.