The ISA Podcast

“Chappaquiddick” paints a tragic portrait of politics and entitlement.

Historical movies tend to have good intentions. Whether they make good movies or not is often dependent upon how they illuminate historical events. “Chappaquiddick” certainly strives to accurately portray the 1969 events of Senator Ted Kennedy’s single-vehicle car accident on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts that resulted in the death of passenger Mary Jo Kopechne. Unfortunately, a lot of that mystery is left unanswered. Kennedy comes off as too enigmatic, and Kopechne is more symbol than character. Where the film is most successful is in showcasing the cover-up that took place to protect the politician’s presidential ambitions. The movie also paints a scathing portrait of entitlement and the very different set of rules for the rich and powerful.

“A Quiet Place” speaks volumes with what it doesn’t say or show.

The horror genre is often most successful when it doesn’t show too much of its monsters. Better to let the audience fill in the blanks of the bogeyman hiding in the shadows. It worked in “Jaws”, “Alien”, “The Babadook”, and now “A Quiet Place.” The alien monsters are revealed ever-so-slowly by director John Krasinski. These creatures that hunt by sound force the family in the story, headed by Krasinski and real-life wife Emily Blunt, to keep quiet as to not summon the beasts. Such silence also forces the audience to sit still, pinned to their seats for this 90-minute chiller. The effect is so disquieting and terrifying, “A Quiet Place” is sure to be the word-of-mouth frightener all season long.

The adaptation of “Ready Player One” has Steven Spielberg written all over it.

The new tentpole movie “Ready Player One” may boast its author Ernest Cline as one of the screenplay adaptors, along with Zak Penn, but the greatest influence on the material is director Steven Spielberg. The 2011 bestseller’s plotting, characters, and 1980’s pop culture references already had a Spielberg vibe and the movie makes the most of it. The director runs with the material, incorporating his affection for nostalgia, kid empowerment, and state-of-the-art special effects. Spielberg also makes this a ‘movie-movie’ with dozens upon dozens of in-joke film references, including many from his oeuvre, as well as a show-stopping parody of Stanley Kubrick. “Ready Player One” is a rollicking VR ride set in a dystopian future, but it’s really a tour of the director’s avid imagination.

Excerpt from Podcast:

"...This week we are going to be talking about BoJack Horseman. But we aren't just going to be talking about the series. We are going to be talking about one very particular episode, and doing a really deep breakdown of Season 4, Episode 9, entitled Ruthie...

And what is interesting about this episode is that it is breaking all the rules of structure, in order to control the tone of the episode in a way that isn't supposed to work!

This episode is about Princess Carolyn’s terrible, awful, awful day. It is so freaking dark! This episode is about a woman whose only desire is to have a baby, and, guess what? She is not going to have it.

This is about as dark a topic as you can handle. And this is a comedy! You aren't supposed to be doing this.

So, how do the writers keep the tone from getting so dark that we would lose the fun and the laughter that brings us to a series like this? How are we supposed to laugh at Princess Carolyn’s miscarriage?

Well, the magic is actually in that structural game the writers are playing..."

Despite a game Alicia Vikander, the reboot of “Tomb Raider” feels dusty and derivative.

The rebooting of “Tomb Raider” should have yielded something better than this decent, but uninspired attempt. It had brilliant source material to adapt from with the successful 2013 relaunch of the Lara Croft video game, and Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander gives the part her all as a gritty and intense lead. Unfortunately, the script is tonally all over the map and derives too heavily from films like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Mummy.” And while its action sequences are well-shot and edited with precision, this movie has an underwritten villain, too many flashbacks, and an underwhelming tomb excavation. If there is to be a sequel, the filmmakers will need to dig deeper to ensure something great.

“Thoroughbreds” marks an auspicious debut for writer/director Cory Finley.

Coming from the world of theater, writer/director Cory Finley has made a masterful first film. His dark comedy/thriller is utterly enthralling, as much for what it doesn’t show as what it does. The story, concerning two teen girls (Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy) plotting to kill a ruthless stepdad, could have been another potboiler, like so many thrillers that have tread similar terrain. Instead, Finley creates a calm, contemplative film, full of tension and thrills done in disquieting, economical ways. More is said with looks than words, and all the violence happens off screen. It’s a sly work, both theatrical and sensitive in its portrayal of privilege and murder.

We recently had our very first special guest on with Felicity and Max. Karen Kirkland is a Creative Strategist and long-time VP of Talent Development at Nickelodeon. In this episode we talk about what makes a TV show so re-watchable and/or bingeable. Why do you keep tuning back into a show?

Tune in to our show and listen to Max, Felicity, and Karen give their thoughts on it...while sharing some laughs, wine, and good times.
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This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are not offered to the participants listening to the recording. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

Join ISA staffers Max Timm and Felicity Wren for our regular Wine Wednesdays Facebook Live broadcast at 7:00pm Los Angeles time on most Wednesday evenings (check the ISA Facebook page for schedule updates). We talk screenwriting and take your questions about the ISA and the art, craft, and business of writing screenplays, all while enjoying a nice glass (or two) of wine.

Alex Garland’s adaptation of “Annihilation” creates a world of wonder.

Powerful is the film that doesn’t spoon feed everything to its audience, especially when it comes to science fiction. That’s why writer/director Alex Garland is such an expert in the genre. In his adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel “Annihilation”, the filmmaker tells the story of a science expedition, led by a cellular biologist (Natalie Portman), investigating an alien force that is changing people and the environment that come into contact with it. Is this a form of evolution or eco-terrorism? Can it be controlled? And are the human/alien hybrids being created something to laud or fear? Garland answers some queries, but he also ensures his film keeps you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

“Black Panther” is a landmark film for Marvel Studios and one of their very best.

Just when you think that the comic superhero movie is all but played out, along comes “Black Panther” from Marvel Studios. This superb comic book adaptation by filmmaker Ryan Coogler and his co-screenwriter Joe Robert Cole honors the original work by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, as well as the previous 17 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, yet it feels fresh and unique on many levels. It not only has a black lead (Chadwick Boseman), but the main supporting characters are all black women. The film touches on themes of racism, globalism, and ecology. The gorgeous tribal costumes and CGI Wakanda, Africa settings are stunning creations. And its message of racial and female empowerment makes it vital and timely. 2018 already has one of its best films.

2018’s Oscar-nominated shorts have a lot of lessons for writers.

Since 2012, the AMPAS has been releasing their Oscar-nominated Animated and Live Action Shorts nationwide in theaters to an enthusiastic public. For screenwriters, these mini-films offer a number of invaluable storytelling lessons. Because of time constraints, every moment is crucial. Characters must be established immediately. And narrative arcs are often completed in a matter of minutes. More and more, shorts are also a way for the budding screenwriter to produce an actual film. And under Academy rules, student shorts can compete against studio entries. The long and short of it is that these films are a must-see for movie fans and scripters.