Steven Hartman
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How 'Kate' writer Umair Aleem took an unconventional route to become a screenwriter
The plot is high concept: A female assassin has 24 hours to find the person who poisoned her and seek vengeance. But while the lone warrior fighting against an onslaught of thugs and powerful people isn’t necessarily a new concept, Kate — a Netflix o...
How 'Apex' writer-director Edward Drake started his career writing for Bruce Willis
“It’s Mr. Magoo meets Predator,” writer-director Edward Drake says of his new film Apex. That was the pitch behind his third film with Bruce Willis, not including the three more in post-production and slated to come out within the next year or so.
5 Screenwriting Takeaways: 'Last Night in Soho' creates a nostalgic, Hitchcockian thriller
Last Night in Soho starts out innocently enough. Granted, Eloise struggles with some issues (it feels like a country girl heading into the big city to pursue her dreams) but things get a little strange. After renting a room on the top floor of an old...
‘Ida Red’ and how John Swab creates a neo-western thriller
A crime boss sits in prison awaiting her parole date in hopes of getting out before her terminal illness takes her life. In a last-ditch effort, Ida "Red" Walker turns to her son, Wyatt, to pull off one last heist to help get her out of prison. Yet, ...
5 Screenwriting Takeaways: ‘Dune’ creates thriller on new planet
Dune is not a re-make of a 1980s film; it’s the first part of what is expected to be a series of films based on the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. While there are some similarities to the Star Wars saga in terms of a young, reluctant w...
5 Screenwriting Takeaways: 'The Last Duel' is a true story of one woman's struggle in 14th century France
More than 650 years ago, the last officially recognized judicial duel was fought in France. Why this duel took place is the story behind Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, which tells the narrative in three chapters from three characters’ points of view a...
8 cult classic lessons on 'The Evil Dead'’s 40th anniversary
What makes a movie a cult classic? When writer-director Sam Raimi sought to create a supernatural horror film, it’s hard to imagine that he was doing anything more than trying to pool enough money together to make his first feature.
5 Screenwriting Takeaways: How ‘No Time to Die’ keeps action fresh
For nearly 60 years, Agent 007 has been saving the world from some of the most villainous heels attempting to rule the world — or destroy it. This month marked the 25th outing for the super spy whose drink of choice and love life are both legendary. ...
5 Screenwriting Takeaways: 'The Many Saints of Newark' expands the 'Sopranos' universe
Who is Dickie Moltisanti? That’s the question that lies behind The Many Saints of Newark. The film's marketing describes it as "a Sopranos story," which is crucial to consider as the Sopranos universe begins what is likely to be an expansion. The hit...