York Shackleton got his start in professional snowboarding and commercial advertising. As York moved into documentary films, he quickly realized it’s more important to show the authenticity of the event rather than express in an opinion on screen. The audience needs to decide on their own.

In the fiction world, the director actually reverse engineers much of his work. He puts distribution in place before he get financing. He also creates a lists of musts, such as actors, genre, and so on, before he fully develops a new idea. This how ‘211’ came to be.

York’s latest film stars Nicolas Cage, Sophie Skelton, and Michael Rainey Jr. The movie has been described as ‘End of Watch’ meets ‘Black Hawk Down.’ The true story comes from the police code that references “Shots fired!” and the movie is about the “longest and bloodiest bank heists in history,” which took place in 1997 North Hollywood.

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'Seven Seconds' is arguably one of the boldest stories on Netflix. The 10-episode drama comes from 'The Killing' showrunner Veena Sud.

The story begins with a hit-and-run of an African-American teenager by a Jersey City cop. The mostly white police force covers up the incident, which causes public controversy.

“My son laid in the cold, in pain, for hours,” said Regina King’s character, Latrice Butler. “And, whoever did this is free.” What’s perhaps most interesting about Sud’s take on this type of story is all of the research involved and the in-depth look at how everyone suffers from such a tragedy.

We sat down with Veena Sud to talk about her fascination with mystery, slow-burn storytelling, the Statue of Liberty as symbolism, and her passion for research along with the importance of plucking images from real life.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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Theresa Bennett knew she wanted to make movies early in life. She worked in a movie rental store and started writing scripts in notebooks. Even though she couldn’t afford screenwriting software, she found a way to create scripts.

Eventually, this led to the new film, 'Social Animals.' In the movie, a childless, single, broke stoner attempted to salvage her failing business and love life while falling in love with a married man.

The comedy-drama stars Noël Wells (Master of None), Aya Cash (You’re the Worst), Samira Wiley (Orange is the New Black), Carly Chaikin (Mr. Robot), and Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother).

In this interview, Bennett tells her story of a young girl who wanted to make films and how she became a first-time writer-director. She also discusses character creation, the power of limited resources, and the benefits of a speedy first draft.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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“I haven’t always done the right thing,” said the subject of 'John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls.' “But you will never talk to anyone that is as fortunate as John McCain.” The Senator, who has lost two Presidential elections, survived as a Vietnam POW for five years, and received a brain tumor diagnosis, is surprisingly optimistic, potentially the last of his kind, and the latest subject for Kunhardt Films.

As a production company, Kunhardt Films specializes in documentaries “about the people and ideas that shape history.” In the past three years, the directors and producers have made films like 'King in the Wilderness' about Martin Luther King Jr., 'The Newspaperman' about Ben Bradlee, and 'Becoming Warren Buffet.'

Producer George Kunhardt said, “We had done a similar documentary [in 2009] when Teddy Kennedy announced that he had brain cancer. Teddy, when he read it in the news that McCain had been diagnosed with this, we thought it was a natural [progression], since McCain was the other line of the Senate and had a long life that paralleled the last half-century of American history.”

Three weeks after the diagnosis, the producers started working on the film. Kunhardt Films, which launched in 1987, consists of six-time Emmy Award winner Peter Kunhardt and his two sons, George and Teddy. In this interview, the three creators talk about John McCain as a character, how to gain trust as a filmmaker, and the importance of subjects that you’re willing to spend a year with.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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In the comedy ‘Book Club,’ four lifelong friends have their lives changed when they decide to read ’50 Shades of Grey’ in their monthly book club. The film stars veteran actresses Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen.

Writer duo Bill Holderman and Erin Simms met while working with actor Robert Redford. Holderman wrote the script for ‘ A Walk in the Woods’ and Simms originally worked as Mr. Redford’s assistant.

At Wildwood Enterprises, the writing duo had the idea for ‘Book Club’ in 2012 when Holderman sent his mother the ’50 Shades’ trilogy as a gag gift for Mother’s Day.

In this interview, the creators talk about writing human storylines and universal themes, their goal of showcasing veteran actresses, the importance of listening to an actor’s opinion on set as well as within the casting process, and the importance of committing to the project fo the long-term.

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In his film Handsome Devil, Irish writer-director John Butler urges young people to find their own voice.

The film follows the lives of Irish schoolmates Ned (Fionn O’Shea) and Conor (Nicholas Galitzine), as they are forced to share a bedroom at their boarding school. One is a music-loving loner, the other a popular rugby star. But the film transcends classroom drama, as it explores the characters’ sexual identities.

We spoke with Butler about the personal origins of Handsome Devil, the distinction between autobiography and emotional truth, and importance of exercise - or anchor fitness - as a writer.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger are the minds behind the hit animated trilogy, 'Kung Fu Panda.' With a cast including Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J.K. Simmons, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, Kate Hudson and many more, the series has become a staple of the family films genre.

In the third installment, Po must face two epic threats: one supernatural and one that deals with his long-lost family and a kingdom of pandas. Underneath the colorful animations and intense fight scenes, the heart of the film deals with some tough issues, touching on feelings of exclusion, loss, and even what it’s like when someone new enters the family.

Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger discuss what television taught them about character-based stories, the most difficult step in the writing process, and how to write for a panda that sounds like Jack Black.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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Netflix has been pushing the envelope with their new releases. And after '13 Reasons Why,' which shined a light on teen suicide, comes the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-nominated movie 'To The Bone,' which highlights the brutal truth about eating disorders.'

To the Bone' is written and directed by Marti Noxon. Perhaps best known for her work as writer and producer on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' in 'To the Bone' she explores issues that she herself once dealt with. The result is an oft-times dark, sometimes funny story about Ellen (Lily Collins), a young woman battling anorexia.

Noxon describes getting beneath the surface issues, writing based on your own life, and leaning into your idiosyncrasies. In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

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Sollers Point’ tells the story of Keith, a twenty-four-year-old newly released from prison, who is under house arrest in Baltimore. He’s trying to establish himself, but he’s having problems breaking free from bonds of being behind bars.

Writer-Director Matthew Porterfield realized he was fascinated with Baltimore while working on his first screenplays at NYU. The is his fourth film and all are connected by the setting where he grew up.

In this interview, Porterfield talks about the city as an inspiration, writing characters that can erupt at any time, being true to the community of the project, and how novice filmmakers can create movies in their area by using the resources he or she may have.

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After his marriage fails, a man who spent his twenties seducing older women discovers he’s no longer the prize he used to be. Forced to move in with his estranged sister, he finally learns about life and family.

'How To Be A Latin Lover' stars Eugenio Derbez and Salma Hayek, along with an all-star cast of comedians. Chris Spain and Jon Zack co-wrote the film, which was directed by actor-comedian Ken Marino.

We spoke with the screenwriting duo about the influence of farce, how to ground jokes for an audience, and how to tell the story through the jokes.

In addition to this audio format, the print interview for this conversation is available on Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s website.

Stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live