a review by Pete Wassell IAFT/Los Angeles Before I go into my analysis of Only God Forgives—the latest Nicholas Winding Refn/Ryan Gosling production, the duo’s second venture—I want to give you some context for my viewing of the film. I started it late one night about 3 weeks ago. It was around 12:30, I…
by Michael Chasin Screenwriting Mentor, IAFT/Miami Auto racing isn’t about where you go—the start and finish lines are in the same place—it’s about how you go—all out, pushing limits—or strategic and precise. The film Rush explores that central conflict. While it would have been easy to focus on the track, writer Peter Morgan has…
by Frederick Bailey Here’s a scenario. See if you can make a prediction: Major supporting character. In his introductory scene, he saves an innocent man from further torture and he does the right thing. We have a scene where he’s enjoying his children at home. A converted hardnose, he bonds with the male lead….
by Michael Chasin Conflict – the key to drama – may be more than powerful opponents. Conflict may also be living out of place in changing times – which has been the theme of many great westerns. ‘It’s over, don’t you get that? Your times is over and you’re gonna die bloody, and all…
by Michael Chasin Film is a visual medium. Should you question that, simply remember the last time you muted your TV and were able to – quite easily – follow the story. That is the power of visuals. So…is dialog really necessary? While visuals move the story forward, what we only see on screen…
A Side Door into the Industry by Nick Aquilino “The game has changed, and it’s harder to get a foot in the door, anywhere. I think the wave of the future is to get a camera and some editing gear and start shooting a movie.” —Albert Hughes [director: Book of Eli, From Hell] …
by Frederick Bailey Sitting in a screening room a couple of weeks ago, watching THE BICYCLE THIEF (1948), brought it home to me once again. Something I first realized years ago: Movies are time machines. They can literally take us back in time to a place that existed before we were born. And we…
by Pete Wassell I know. How many times do we have to read a diatribe, a manifesto on the state of the Hipster? “It’s been done!” they say… Well, I haven’t done it. So I’m gonna do it now. What is a Hipster? That term has always been a bit cloudy to me. I’m confident…
