One of my favorite screenwriters is Eric Roth. He's a prolific writer whose career has spanned decades and spawned hits like Forrest Gump and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I remember him outside Fox on the picket lines, being a total legend and cheering on his compatriots, and taking laps. Recently, I found this epic YouTube video where he generously shares his secrets to the craft. For anyone who has ever dreamed of writing for the silver screen, this was a masterclass you won't want to miss.Let's dive in. Unlocking the Script with Eric RothRight off the bat, I want to say I have always been obsessed with this YouTube video made by the Academy where Roth describes this method he's used to write great scripts for years. Roth starts each day by reading his script from page one, a process he calls "erosion." This daily ritual allows him to constantly refine and improve his work, shoring up any weaknesses he finds.While he's a firm believer in the power of research, he admits the internet has been a game-changer, replacing the shelves of research books he once relied on for adaptations and instead focusing entirely on the story. When it comes to structuring his screenplays, Roth has a clear vision of the beginning and the end. The middle, however, is a "great big blob" that he discovers scene by scene, allowing for organic and surprising developments.And what about writer's block? Roth has a simple yet brilliant trick: change the...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday