Gregory Allen Howard’s cousin introduced him to “what was underneath the movies.” While his cousin wasn’t in the business, he taught Howard that there was so much more underneath the service of something he previously viewed as pure entertainment or escapism.

Over the years, the screenwriter used his voice to write and create stories for ‘Remember the Titans,’ ‘Ali,’ and ‘Harriet.’ The latest film uncovers “The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.”

In this interview, Howard discusses a conversation with John Woo about writing the “male weepy,” why Michael Mann wanted ‘Ali’ to be R-rated, how it took 25 years to get Harriet made, and why persistence is the key to long screenwriting career.

If you enjoyed this interview, look for the print version on Creative Screenwriting’s website, and join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5