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“The Revenant” Teaches Us About Writing Action Sequences

March 1, 2016

The Revenant screenplay by Mark L. Smith and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, based on the book by Michael Punke, is one of the best action films of the year. Set in 1823, the action scenes lack sophisticated weaponry, machinery or major explosions – all...

Jason Dean Hall writes the controversial true story of Chris Kyle’s life in ‘American Sniper’

February 17, 2016

Jason Dean Hall discusses what it was like to tell the story of Chris Kyle in 'American Sniper', a polarizing figure whose controversial and disturbing story broke box-office records. The writer's deeply personal connection to the story is filling th...

Truth’ writer-director James Vanderbilt talks film school, researching true stories, and landing Robert Redford

February 17, 2016

James Vanderbilt talks about researching 'Truth,' the controversial courtroom drama detailing the 2004 CBS '60 Minutes' report that cost anchor Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes their careers.

‘Nightingale’ writer Frederick Mensch discusses the fast-paced ramp up into production

February 17, 2016

Frederick Mensch, founder of the online screenwriting database MovieBytes, can now add working screenwriter to his resume. His uncompromising screenplay, 'Nightingale', was recently made into a movie by HBO, starring Golden-Globe nominee David Oyelow...

How To Train Your Dragon 2' Writer/Director Dean DeBlois Discusses Animation

February 16, 2016

Dean DeBlois, writer/director of such animated classics as Lilo and Stitch and the How To Train Your Dragon series, talks about how he got his start in animation, how to approach fantasy/adventure screenplays, and what it's like to write for a dragon...

Anthony McCarten talks ‘The Theory of Everything’

February 16, 2016

Acclaimed novelist, playwright and screenwriter Anthony McCarten tells how it took him eight years to convince Stephen and Jane Hawking to give him the rights to their story, his "exaggerated desire" to express himself, and how "putting words into th...

The Big Short Co-Writer Charles Randolph Stops By The Insider View Podcast

February 3, 2016

Charles Randolph, co-writer of The Big Short, drops by the Insider View Podcast to chat with host, Pete D'Alessandro about his background in aesthetic philosophy, working with Adam McKay and what makes credit default swaps such a fascinating film top...

Final Draft Insider View with The Revenant Screenwriter Mark L. Smith

January 8, 2016

Listen as Mark L. Smith, screenwriter of The Revenant, talks to Insider View host Pete D'Alessandro about everything from Colorado dude ranches to drafting screenplays before pitching.

Final Draft Insider View with Daniel Vang and Christopher Lockhart

December 30, 2015

Final Draft sits down with WME's Christopher Lockhart and Benderspink's Daniel Vang for a discussion about the life of a script. Many writers don't consider what happens after an executive reads a script and thinks it has potential to go to productio...