Master Screenwriter Scott Frank shares his best practices on the art and craft of screenwriting that he learned throughout his prolific career.
Key Insights
- When writing in a specific genre: Embrace the style and form, search for a new spin on an old trope, add another value to the cliché
- Find and develop familiarities and details within the world you are building.
- Don't be too precious or overprotective when adapting material. Decide what you want the story to be and how the audience connects to its characters.
- Focus on writing complicated characters with an inner life– know their wants, needs, and fears.
- Be brave and authentic; don’t be afraid to express your truth.
Screenwriter
Scott Frank’s screenplays include LITTLE MAN TATE, DEAD AGAIN, MALICE, HEAVEN'S PRISONERS, GET SHORTY, OUT OF SIGHT, MINORITY REPORT, THE INTERPRETER, THE LOOKOUT (also directed), MARLEY & ME, THE WOLVERINE, WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES (also directed), LOGAN, and the Netflix limited-series, GODLESS (also directed). more...
Join the Discussion
Keep Exploring
Video
Video
Creating MOONLIGHT: A Case Study with Barry Jenkins
MOONLIGHT director Barry Jenkins talks about key scenes in his Oscar-winning film and an artist's essential need to take risks.
Barry Jenkins 
Director
Video
Video
Directing Documentaries with Steve James & Bing Liu
Veteran Documentary Director Steve James and emerging Director Bing Liu take us inside their rich collaboration and the value of mentorship.
Steve James
Director
Video
Video
Getting Started as a Screenwriter with Scott Frank
Screenwriter Scott Frank tells us how he became a writer and what it takes to live a strong creative life
Scott Frank
Screenwriter
Video
Video
Directing Actors with Joan Darling
Legendary director and actress Joan Darling shares her insights on how to work with actors to evoke the best performances.
Joan Darling
Director, Writer, Actress