The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

How the Screenwriting Duo of Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ Kaz & Ryan Firpo Write

11.19.2021 - By Kelton ReidPlay

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Award-winning filmmakers and multi-hyphenate screenwriting duo, Kaz and Ryan Firpo, spoke to me about their breakout Hollywood moment, writing Marvel's Eternals, and how to eat a whale.

The Firpos are cousins who grew up in Northern California – with a storied background in commercials and documentary filmmaking – who describe themselves as "filmmakers who write."

In 2017 their first feature screenplay, RUIN, topped The Black List (a showcase for film writers) making them a hot commodity in Hollywood. In addition to writing and directing their first feature, their original sci-fi screenplay MIMI FROM RIO was purchased in a bidding war by Netflix with Ridley Scott producing.

Their first entry for the MCU is the complex story, Eternals, about a race of immortals who help shape Earth's history and civilizations, and who must emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect the world from the evil Deviants.

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If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews In this file The Firpos and I discussed: The importance of The Black List to launching their careers

Working with Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao of Nomadland fame

World-building vs. act-building in screenwriting

Why you should read all the screenwriting craft books you can

Having drinks with Angelina Jolie

And a lot more!

Show Notes: Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Final Trailer

Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker Director: Ryan Firpo [Amazon]

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee [Amazon]

Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field [Amazon]

Kelton Reid on Twitter

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