The Thinking Writer – Page 6 – Classic Posts About Screenwriting….

When Screenwriting Gets To You….

Having to listen to studio execs tell you how to write can affect you. Take William W. “Bill” Norton, a successful screenwriter who penned the scripts for “The Scalphunters” (directed by Sydney Pollack), “White Lightning” and “Gator” (both starring Burt Reynolds) and others. Perhaps after one too many sets of notes, he retired from screenwriting and became a leftist gunrunner in South America and then in Ireland. Now, he’s passed away. Read his obit here.

Isreali Commandos Steal Screenplay

In a daring nighttime raid, Israeli commandos boarded a ship and stole the screenplay for a biopic on the life of Ingmar Bergman. Read the true story here.

Alien Invasion?

“Machete” is a bloody movie about an illegal immigrant with a big machete. Co-screenwriter Alvaro Rodriguez is surprised that people interpret it as having political overtones. Should he be?

Mobster? Writer? What’s The Difference?

Former Gambino family crime boss John “Junior” Gotti is now busy writing the screenplay of his life story. He also claims to have written a children’s book. Who knew he was versatile?

No Oscar, But We’ll Take A Copy Of Your Script, Please

Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Library — Photo by vlasta2 @ flickr.com

In Mumbai, they get very excited to have a script requested by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Margaret Herrick Library. In Los Angeles, we actually go to the Academy library. It’s great.

Beyond The Nicholl Fellowship

Abu Dhabi Screenwriting Fellowship — Photo by U-g-g-B-o-y-(-Photograph-World-Sense-) flickr.com

If you weren’t one of the finalists for the Nicholl Fellowship announced this week, it’s okay. Abu Dhabi has a fellowship, too. (And it pays $100,000 – that’s some righteous bucks….)

Screenwriting On The iPad

Screenwriting for iPad — Photo by Rego - twitter.com/w3bdesign

We knew it would happen sooner or later. Well, it’s sooner. Screenwriting – a screenwriting app for the iPad. And it’s only $6.99. Cool….

All About Aaron

Was Aaron Sorkin high when he gave this interview? Sorkin, writer of the upcoming movie The Social Network (a biopic about the troubled and complicated genius behind Facebook ) is the troubled and complicated genius screenwriter behind so many great movies (The American President, A Few Good Men, Malice) and television shows (Sportsnight, West Wing). Nice interview. (Think magic mushrooms….)