Creative Principles

A product of the Spielberg era, Anthony Jerjen directed shorts like ‘The End,’ ‘Trained’ and ‘Immersion,’ before he stumbled upon a script called ‘Inherit the Viper.’ As a European, Jerjen wasn’t particularly familiar with the opioid crisis, but he saw a universal connection with the story. Andrew Crabtree’s script for ‘Inherit the Viper’ is a crime thriller about three siblings in the Appalachian Mountains who get by as local opioid dealers. Somewhat forced into the family business, the kids try not to get lost in the spiral of violence from the business. This is essentially the debut film for the screenwriter and director. The movie stars Josh Hartnett, Bruce Dern, Owen Teague, Margarita Levieva, and Chandler Riggs. In this interview, Jerjen discusses his jump from shorts to a full feature, what attracted him to the story for ‘Viper,’ how large crews mean compromise, why we romanticize films, and why he shoots in a traditional manner. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Charles Randolph is intrigued with things that frighten him. Complicated, yet unusual subjects with unique internal conflicts make up his films. Amongst these hard hitting character studies, Randolph has credits such as ‘The Life of David Gale,’ ‘The Interpreter,’ ‘Love & Other Drugs,’ ‘The Big Short,’ and now, ‘Bombshell.’ In the latest movie, the story focuses on a group of women who conspired to take down Fox News head Roger Ailes for the toxic atmosphere he created within the conservative network. The film stars Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson, John Lithgow as Roger Ailes, and Margot Robbie as the composite character Kayla Pospisil. In this exclusive interview, Randolph discusses modern villains, societal obstacles for character, how he uses a thematic toolkit, a writer’s contract to the audience, balancing real and unusual, and how to make politics entertaining. 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

Jon Avnet has directed, written, and produced dozens of motion pictures, television movies and Broadway plays, winning Oscars, Emmys, Tonys, Peabody's, DGA Awards, the Humanitas, Golden Globes and the AFI's Franklin Shaffner Medal. Avnet is known for his work as a director on movies like ‘Fried Green Tomatoes,’ ‘The War,’ ‘Up Close & Personal,’ ’88 Minutes,’ and ‘Righteous Kill.’ Recently, he’s also directed shows like ‘Rake,’ ‘Justified,’ Sneaky Pete,’ and ‘Manhunt.’ The director’s latest film deals with identity, but also schizophrenia. ‘Three Christs’ follows Dr. Alan Stone who is treating three paranoid schizophrenic patients at the Ypsilanti State Hospital in Michigan, each of whom believed they were Jesus Christ. Based on a book, the film stars Richard Gere as Stone, and Peter Dinklage, Walton Goggins, and Bradley Whitford as the patients. In the interview, Avnet discusses the differences and similarities of the characters in ‘Three Christs,’ why he’s “frustratingly slow” at casting, why some TV shows aren’t as good as they should be, why he produced ‘Black Swan,’ why filmmakers should appreciate rejection, and how obsession helps with career longevity. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

In ‘The Mandela Effect,’ a man becomes obsessed with facts and events that have been collectively misremembered by thousands of people. Believing the phenomena to be the symptom of something larger, the character’s obsession eventually leads him to question reality itself. In this interview, writer-director David Guy Levy discusses why he’s obsessed with big ideas in film, what it means to make a smart horror movie like ‘Would You Rather,’ and how to make an audience use their imagination to fill in holes of a story. Levy also discusses intriguing hooks in storytelling, when to cut aspects you love, how he puts himself into the story, how to show thinking on film, and why movies are more about questions than answers. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

In ‘The Longest Wave,’ audiences are invited to see a rare glimpse into what motivates an athlete who has everything to lose to push his body and mind to the limit. A film about surf legend Robby Naish. Writer-director Joe Berlinger is known for documentaries on Metallica, Oprah, Tony Robbins and Ted Bundy. Recently, he also directed the Netflix fictionalized movie, ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,’ where Zac Efron stars as Ted Bundy. In this interview, Berlinger discusses commitment to a subject and how themes may not arrive until a year into the process. Robby Naish discusses trust and vulnerability as the subject of a documentary, hurdles as an athlete focused on longevity, and why he was a reluctant participant in the documentary. Then, both men discuss career longevity, knowing when to pivot, what it takes to live a life of passions, and why nothing comes easy. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Phedon Papamichael Jr. grew up surrounded by creativity. His father was a Greek cinematographer best known for working with John Cassavetes. Through various influences, Papamichael got involved with photography and then filmmaking. The cinematographer is now known for working on movies like ‘Sideways,’ ‘Walk the Line,’ ‘The Weather Man,’ ‘3:10 to Yuma,’ ‘W.,’ ‘The Descendants,’ ‘Nebraska,’ ‘Downsizing,’ and now, ‘Ford v Ferrari.’ In this interview, Papamichael talks film school through with stripper vampire films, why he shoots in a traditional sense, why he didn’t initially connect with the script for ‘Sideways,’ how luck plays into any career, and his involvement with the new Aaron Sorkin film. For more details on ‘Ford v Ferrari,’ listen to Episode 195 with screenwriter Jason Keller and Episode 192 with stunt coordinator Darrin Prescott. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

While attending college in London, Jason Keller discovered he wanted to be a screenwriter. Soon, he fully committed to the profession and moved to Los Angeles with no connections and little to no safety net. Over the years, he worked every job imaginable on a set while studying scripts at night. During his first decade in Los Angeles, he experienced what’s known as “development hell.” Keller sold an array of scripts to people like Mel Gibson and Michael Mann, but didn’t receive his first credit until ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ in 2011. The next few years, he sold ‘Mirror Mirror,’ ‘Escape Plan,’ and ‘Ford v Ferrari.’ James Mangold directs Matt Damon and Christian Bale in the latest film, which is described as “ American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.” Make sure to also listen to Episode 192, where we speak with Darrin Prescott, who worked on the racing stunts for the film. 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

Andrew Lyman-Clarke grew up with experimental filmmakers. At a very early age, he started making shorts and even persuaded a teacher to accept a film rather than a term paper. Over time, he worked as a gaffer, best boy, and grip to steal some time on set. In college, Andrew made the feature, ‘Have You Seen,’ then entered the short ‘Follow the Leader’ in a handful of festivals. Soon after, he decided to commit the feature, ‘Night Sweats.’ Based on an unusual, true story producer Seth Panman experienced, the new film stars John Wesley Shipp and Allison Mackie. The description reads, “A skateboarder investigating the mysterious death of his roommate is led into the inner workings of a self-help company, and the pharmaceutical lab behind it.” In this interview, the writer-director talks about his love for ‘Requiem for a Dream,’ how to be observant as a storyteller, why it’s good to occasionally be obsessive as a creative, and why he invested 9 years into this debut film. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

At an early age, Alice Waddington learned it was possible to create something in and around your small town, that could affect people around the globe. When the financial crisis hit Spain in 2008, she made the decision to pursue her dreams of becoming a screenwriter and filmmaker. Hoping to pay homage to the female heroine, Waddington began a career somewhat in the modern fairy tale, with ‘Disco Inferno’ and ‘Magical Girl.’ In her new film, ‘Paradise Hills,’ she’s taken this mindset even further. The new films stars Emma Roberts, Danielle Macdonald, and Awkwafina. According to the description, "Uma wakes up in an apparently idyllic school for young ladies called Paradise, meant to reform her and her new friends. But there's a darker secret behind its walls." In this interview, she discusses best treatment practices, advice from Guillermo del Toro and Edgar Wright, why she writes for a pre-teen version of herself, and how to make a parable without preaching. If you enjoyed this interview, join millions of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Darrin Prescott was attracted to the challenge of stuntwork. Early in his career, he doubled for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hugo Weaving, thanks to his training in martial arts, driving, motorcycles, and snowboarding, he even competed in the 2001 X-Games. Moving from stuntwork to stunt coordinator, he worked on projects like ‘Eraser,’ ‘Fight Club,’ Jackass,’ ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith,’ ‘Spider-Man 2,’ ‘The Bourne Ultimatum,’ ‘Drive,’ ‘John Wick,’ ‘True Detective,’ ‘Baby Driver,’ and ‘Black Panther.’ Now Prescott is using his talents for the James Mangold film, ‘Ford v Ferrari.’ American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.” Prescott also plays racing legend Bob Bondurant in the film. In this interview, Prescott talks about misconceptions in stunt work, how they used Car Fu in ‘John Wick’ car chases, why Jackie Chan uses his environment to increase production value, how they shot the chase scenes in ‘Drive,’ and how budget is less important than rehearsal time in action sequences. Stay tuned for more interviews on ‘Ford v Ferrari’ coming soon, and if you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Fencing, rugby, and martial arts led Nick Powell down a path to stunt work. Over time, he found himself working as an actor and stuntman on ‘Braveheart,’ ‘Goldeneye,’ ‘The Mummy,’ ‘The Bourne Identity,’ ‘Gladiator,’ and ‘The Last Samurai.’ Thanks to his work helping other first time directors, he eventually came to direct the new film, ‘Primal.’ Starring Nicolas Cage, the movie follows a big-game hunter and trapper who captures a rare white Jaguar, but ends up on a ship with a political assassin. In this interview, Powell discusses working with Matt Damon on ‘Bourne,’ why proper fight editing creates authenticity, how he trained Tom Cruise for seven months on ‘The Last Samurai,’ why well-choreographed fights can be shot from every angle, and how they shot the extensive Coliseum fights in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator.’ If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Monty Whitebloom never planned to be a filmmaker. Studying English Literature at University, he was actually sucked into the rave movement in London. While making short films, he started making videos to play along in rave clubs. This unusual journey led him to work with the Sound System, Soul II Soul. Eventually he started making music videos for Duran Duran, Seal, Paula Abdul, Spice Girls, Lauryn Hill, Madonna, and the Rolling Stones. This led to advertising and eventually he was asked to read the script for ‘Love is Blind.’ In the new film, “A woman with selective perception, who cannot see her mother, is prescribed by her psychiatrist to spend time with a suicidal man that has fallen in love with her - but she cannot see either.” In this interview, Whitebloom talks about storytelling across different mediums, his unique approach to capturing scenes, why he makes music playlists for all of the actors to show character, how he surprised Mathew Broderick on set, and how to best collaborate with a composer. If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

Luke Bracey wanted to be a professional rugby player, but fell into acting by chance. Over time, the Australian actor found himself on the long running soap opera, ‘Home and Away.’ His background in the physical and rigorous sport soon guided him into action roles, such as ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation,’ ‘The November Man,’ ‘Hacksaw Ridge,’ and the reboot for ‘Point Break.’ In the new film ‘Danger Close,’ the actor stepped into the role of Sergeant Bob Buick. The story uncovers a Vietnamese rubber plantation called Long Tan where 108 young and inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought 2,500 Viet Cong. In this interview, Bracey discusses his role as Utah in ‘Point Break,’ when to call in the professionals for stunt work, how he researches a role, and why ‘Danger Close’ was so personal for him. If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube video essay series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5

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

As a character actor, William Fichtner is known for playing roughneck characters, in films like ‘Crash,’ ‘Drive Angry,’ ‘The Dark Knight,’ ‘Armageddon,’ and ‘Black Hawk Down.’ Recently, he’s also landed a frequent role as Adam on the series, ‘Mom.’ In his writer-director debut, Fichtner took the reins for the film, ‘Cold Brook.’ The story, which follows two ordinary guys in a small town, is a story of adventure. Fichtner stars alongside Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy) and Harold Perrineau (Lost). In this interview, Fichtner discusses how he chooses a role, why lessons from directors are sometimes subconscious, what separates him from “big movie stars,” how ‘Cold Brook’ got started back in 2001, and what he learned from working with Ridley Scott. If you enjoyed this interview, join thousands of viewers for the new YouTube series, Creative Principles, which dissects new films, series, and more: bit.ly/2FARJz5