The first thing you need to know about US writer Nicholas Myer is that he is not a trekkie!
But he was the subject of a special guest appearance on Day Two of the AWG conference. The New York native brought a brusque form of humour that was a hit with all those assembled. He also brought razor sharp insight into his experiences writing and directing for films such as 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan', 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home' and 'The Human Stain'.
He is now working on a screenplay about Theodore Roosevelt with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio.
FUN IS THE PAST TENSE OF SHIT
It's hard to separate writing from acting, but the most fun for me re: writing was the first one.
Why? Because it was mine
NOTE: Myer's first screenplay was adapted from his novel, 'The Seven-Per-Cent Solution'.
WRITING FOR TV VERSUS SCREEN
TV has a greater verbal emphasis. An artist does a great job when they 'leave out' things so that it leaves more to your imagination.
Movies tend to not let you imagine ie they 'show it all'.
ARE YOU A BETTER SCREENWRITER NOW THAN WHEN YOU STARTED OUT?
I would hope so, but directing has helped me and improved me. ie filming long speeches tends to lead you towards learning what to cut and what to leave in. Learn to direct by directing.
For example, 'The Seven-Per-Cent Solution'. I wrote the screenplay but it's very wordy. I tried to cut out more words, but they wouldn't cut out the speech at the end.**
The story brings together a famous character from real life with a famous fictional character: Sherlock Holmes and Sigmund Freud. They have to solve two things. And I was not the first person to associate Freud and Holmes.
Directors - take and acting class to learn how to communicate better.
Actors - direct a little movie. Learn to become better and learn how to eliminate words.
THE WRITING PROCESS WITH COMMENTS ON ADAPTING
How do you adapt 800 pages of Roosevelt's speeches? Cut out the boring bits!
The writing process is unique to us all. There is no 'one way' to write or adapt. The process is one of distillation. And a screenplay has to have a dramatic shape that the book does not.
Try to distill / extract what is dramatic. 'The King's Speech' is basically a series of dramatic events carving out a dramatic plan.
It's also a process of simplification that doesn't become simplistic.
THE STORYTELLERS JOB
Tell a good story!!
If I tell you a good story, once you have heard it you will understand why I wanted to tell it to you!
ABOUT
Continuing the series of articles that share my experiences at the 2011 National Screenwriters Conference, held at Phillip Island in Victoria. Held in February, it was hosted by the Australian Writers Guild.
** 'they' possibly being producers. Not evident from my notes - sorry!
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