Tuesday 16 September 2014

Susannah Grant: Screenwriters Lecture

The writer of Erin Brockovich shares her experiences as a screenwriter as part of the 2013 BAFTA Screenwriter Lecture series.


1 comment:

Unknown said...

I don't know what I think about the issue that is made of Ms. Grant's gender. It is mentioned in the introduction that most successful screenwriters are men, and that Susannah has been successful creating women lead roles with integrity, as if her gender is the basis of her success. Her interviewer is a woman. The interviewer is good and as soon as we get into the meat of the interview it doesn't matter anyway. I guess I'm just a little disappointed it is made such an issue of.

Ms Grant describes movies as collective emotional experiences. She warns that failure is a constant for anyone who tries to illuminate the human experience in a public way.

Her advice is to cut anything that is:
* false
* boring
* derivative
* in poor taste
* bullshitty
* inauthentic
* not good writing

Make the writing clearer, simpler and richer.

Work with good people.

Stay true to your unique voice.

Be collaborative, open, protective of what is written.

Don't be diverted from your original intention.

Be truthful as opposed to factual.

She also had practical advice for tactfully discussing notes requesting changes to the script.