Creative Principles

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.

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In 1930s Sweden a young reindeer-herding Sámi girl faces racism and prejudice. To fit in at boarding school she wants to leave her rural roots and break all ties with her culture, but her actions threaten to tear her family apart.

‘Sami Blood’ is written and directed by Amanda Kernell, and is her first feature film. To date it has collected ten awards at film festivals and been nominated for many more, while the short film it was based upon, Stoerre Vaerie, was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance festival.

In this interview, Kernell discusses the importance of conveying how a situation feels, filming in a language only a few hundred people speak, and the extraordinary casting process for her film.

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

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Thanks to the success of the solo album from Steven Tyler in 2016, a documentary has followed the milestone event. In the film, ‘Out on a Limb,’ the Aerosmith singer and many of his colleagues discuss his jump to country music.

Steven Tyler revealed, “Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than take a risk and be happy… I feel like I’m doing something new again.” It’s somewhat insane for a rock star as popular as Tyler to make such a change.

In an exclusive interview, filmmaker and longtime friend Casey Tebo discussed how he originally met the band Aerosmith and the details behind Tyler’s risky move to country.

Look for the print version of this interview in the classic rock section of the website, Monday Monday Network, and stay up-to-date on other creative advice at www.creativeprinciples.live

Director Vaughn Stein knew he wanted to be a filmmaker while taking a class called “From Hitchcock to Spielberg.” After working on films like ‘World War Z’ and ’Sherlock Holmes,’ Stein was soon writing a screenplay of stylized characters for Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg and Mike Myers.

’Terminal’ follows two assassins with a sinister mission, a fatally ill teacher, an enigmatic janitor and a waitress with a double life. Murderous consequences unravel as their lives meet at the hands of a criminal mastermind wanting revenge.

The writer-director said he wanted to explore his “unhealthy obsession” with sci-fi noir, dystopian cinema, and world-class literature. This means using the setting as an additional character, similar to films like ‘Blade Runner,’ ‘Seven,’ or ‘Brazil.’

In this interview, Stein also describes his fascination with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the darkness of fairy tales, how to define characters through voice, the importance of discipline as a writer, and his best advice for first-time directors on set.

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Jason Fuchs looks familiar. It’s either his youthful optimism or the fact that you’ve seen him repeatedly over the last two decades on episodes of 'Law & Order,' 'The Sopranos,' in 'La La Land,' and opposite Elijah Wood in 'Flipper.'

While truly enjoying his acting career, Fuchs has found a new spotlight in screenwriting. After selling a handful of scripts and being brought on to chisel out 'Ice Age 4,' his new project is one of lifelong obsession. Fuchs’ passion project hit the big screen with the guidance of his pen and the masterful direction of Joe Wright.

Currently, Fuchs is also working on ’I Still See You,’ ‘Minecraft: The Movie,’ and ‘Luna Park,’ which comes from a Mark Bowden story, along with his story credit for 'Wonder Woman.'

In addition, 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