Quentin Tarantino on Writing Screenplays
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- Опубликовано: 15 май 2024
- Quentin Tarantino on Writing Screenplays
Fantastic book about Tarantino and his films: amzn.to/3dqpHVo
Pulp Fiction screenplay: amzn.to/2WJaGYI
Another great read on Tarantino: amzn.to/3dzWbNd
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That's legitimately helpful insight. Makes me feel like writing.
Writhing?
ruclips.net/video/Y64BEm-GUCM/видео.html
This video is more longer (49 min). The best collective advise from tarantino.
... extremely spontaneous ... impossible as a movie ... wonderful freedom!
Quentin is quite a guy
I can see his hands waving.
I love the excitement in his voice whenever he talks movies. You can just tell how committed he is to his career.
BoxedPchannel uh yeah, that would be his career.
Sulu Solo His passion is seen in his movies, any asshole can spew passion, I can rant passionately, only Tarantino can make a Tarantino film. If you wanna call a mans total dedication to his craft a career, go ahead, but its not accurate, every asshole has a career, like you, teacher wall mart employee business analyst whatever, even most directors have careers out of making films. Tarantino IS the movies. Verbally deciphering his mad genius is just nonsense. Watch his fucking films EVERYONE.
Look at all these dweebs nitpicking your comment. Sad!
True. The guy has said he purposefully didn't get married and have kids because it would divert his career. That's commitment.
Jacob Stohler and now is engaged
In a screenwriting world ruled by 'save the cat', it's really great to see such a legend suggesting that we experience story organically rather than commanding it rhythmically.
The thought of rookies reading that and being mislead into pidgeon holing themselves into trite formulas disappointments me greatly.
I read "Save The Cat", made notes about it, and wrote a script following that 'formula'. Before I say anything else, I must say the book was really easy to read and gave me a very quick push forward in the world of screenwriting.
On the other hand, I found it way too limiting. I think everybody has their own style of writing (and for a lot of people, Save The Cat works).
But, for me, Save The Cat told me, "these are the rules of screenwriting"; to which I said, "Good to know. Now I'm gonna start shattering them one by one."
I read a quote that went, "If there was a sure formula to writing good movies, there wouldn't be any bad ones" and that makes so much sense. There are definite objective things you need in your movie (characters, structure, etc) but the way you go about it is up to you. Movie making is still kind of the wild west, only a select few really know what they're doing, and chances are they're the ones who make their own rules.
I think the three-act structure is essentially bingo. "PLOT POINT #1, PLOT POINT #2, PLOT POINT #3, BINGO!" I think it should be taught and learned though, as it teaches the valuable lesson that structure in film is important, but telling someone they need to follow it exactly by the book is so depressing.
The book is useful as an introduction to story structure IMO. The problem is that it is presented as an end-all formula for success.
I stopped reading "save the cat" For some reason I found the author really opinionated and self serving. Personally I think one needs to win a few Oscar's before writing with such certainty.
I can listen to him talk about cinema forever...
ruclips.net/video/Y64BEm-GUCM/видео.html
This video is more longer (49 min). The best collective advise from tarantino. Check it out.
"Let them reveal themselves to me" So brilliant.
Reminds me of Hayao Miyazaki's style of story telling. You start off with a simple idea and you let it evolve as you write it. I think it leads to very realistic flow that a lot of stories lack.
I am reminded about my favorite movie and director of all time, "2001: A Space Odyssey." Kubrick wanted to make a sci-fi movie. So, he heard of Arthur C. Clarke. Both got in touch with each other and talked over coffee. This is the only instance I know of where a movie project proceeded the book and where both essentially come together simultaneously. An idea + two visionaries = genius.
George R.R. Martin talks about architects and gardeners, and doesn't pass judgement on either one. Writers have different ways of processing information and formulating their plots, but ultimately it all comes from the same place.
Abel Lazzell That's how Elmore Leonard did it. No wonder he was a big influence on Tarantino.
Tarantino can get away with this because he's directing and shooting. He has somewhat full control over what happens in the film. Other screenwriters don't have that luxury. BTW he's an ICON!
He doesn't have somewhat full control, he has complete control, cuz he also produces.
Exactly!
I think one of the things Quentin is great at is making you believe each character has an interesting and epic backstory, even though you don't know what it is. It's almost implied in the characters personality. I guess this provides a bit of an insight into how he does that.
A truer word has never been spoken
Quentin can say screenplays shouldn't be like blueprints but rather like novels, which I totally agree with, but the sad truth is unless you want to make your own independent film where you're in complete control over everything, a budding screenwriter simply cannot do that. Mainstream producers HATE novel-like screenplays; when it comes to them, you need to follow an ultra-specific yet sparsely detailed formula in which they can easily pour over and understand within one read. If they're reading a screenplay that isn't formatted the way they like from Page 1 on, they'll throw it away without a second glance. They're not artists or authors like true filmmakers are; all they care about is profitability and efficiency. That's why Tarantino's films are so incendiary and so unique and stylish; one guy has control over his own original stories and he's allowed to shine because his first films were independent and they were amazing. Compare his films to, say, MCU films, which are so overly-done, formulaic, polished, and indiscernible that they're the cinematic equivalent of junk food - accessible and fun, but ultimately devoid of substance and style. Seriously, fuck the cinematic corporations. If you truly want to get your vision out there you NEED to go independent.
Nick Carlson i was just about to type that
But.. it'd only be your first draft that is written like a novel. When you write your 2nd draft.. then formulate it in Final Draft or whatever all nice and polished for producers. Am I right?
Nick Carlson - Right on the money, good sir. The hardest thing in the world for a writer is to write in the studio screenwriting format...which is essentially forcing a creative type to shelf his/her style and expression in order to convey a bare bones idea for a non-creative type (i.e. - a producer) in order to give it to a director of their choice. The chosen director, who is a creative type, will then interpret YOUR original idea and put their interpreted "flesh" onto your bare bones screenplay. That could be a nightmare, unless you are also said director, which is not only rare, but nearly impossible in the studio system. Only a select few, like Tarantino, get to have complete creative freedom to direct AND write in the way they damn well please. At the end of the day, if you want $$, go the route of the studio system, but leave your sentimentality about your creations at the door, and expect to not make much money until you sell at least 4-5 scripts (or more). If you want to satisfy the creative animal inside you, make independent film, though you will not have much $$ to fully see your baby come to life like you imagined...that is, unless you rock the world with your independent release online and/or on the festival circuit. At any rate, good luck to you all, and stay thirsty, my friends!
"Compare his films to, say, MCU films, which are so overly-done, formulaic, polished, and indiscernible that they're the cinematic equivalent of junk food - accessible and fun, but ultimately devoid of substance and style."
I was with you till you said that. You're entitled to your opinion of course, but I've seen MCU films that I felt had plenty of style and substance (Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man to name a few).
It would've been refreshing if you could've made your point without feeling the need to resort to the tired, cliché and preachy "MCU movies lack substance" bandwagon, in which you attack something popular in order to make yourself appear to be some sort of discerning taste and/or an authority on artistic merit "telling us plebs how it really is", etc., but oh well...
Kinda fallacious and generalizing on your part (not to mention presumptuous) if you ask me, but oh well...
"If you truly want to get your vision out there you NEED to go independent."
That's not necessarily true either. That all depends on who you are and what your reputation and level of clout is. Directors like Christopher Nolan, James Cameron and Edgar Wright have been able to get their vision out their just fine under the studio system. Obviously, they are the exception rather than the rule, and very few people will ever enjoy the very special position that Nolan and Cameron inhabit, but the point is, it is possible to make original films in conjunction with cinematic corporations if you play your cards right, and big-budget original films like Inception or The Matrix for instance, could never be made independently, cause there's no such thing as an indie film with a budget in access of 100 million dollars.
Absolutely agree with this. I've 1000 screenplays working as a intern at an agency and while I adore Tarantino's films, his screenplays are never a quick easy read. The truth is if you are not a proven name and the intern/reader doesn't see a plethora of white space on the page, they will tune out after Act 1. That all said I do wish I could write like Tarantino!
As for everybody complaining about the MCU reference every ORIGIN FILM they do is highly formulaic. However I think a more apt reference would have been the Transformers franchise or the Fast & Furious franchise; those movies do little to add depth to the worlds they portray and rely on non stop action to get from page 1 to 120.
I love you, Quentin.
Whoa!! Every goddamn video
He's lucky that he has the power to direct what he writes. This would never fly in the "industry." Studio readers would just reject this kind of writing out of hand. I'm not saying Quentin isn't a brilliant writer it's just that Studio readers have specific rules that they need to adhere to. At the very least, if he didn't happen to be Quentin T. and if a studio was interested they would get back to him with notes and make him re-write the screenplay and slim it down and take out any unnecessary words/exposition etc. That's where good a writer/director has an advantage over a pro script writer: as long as Q.T. keeps making movies that make money he can put whatever fluff he wants into his screenplays. And all the more power to him. I fully support his unconventional approach. It's a breath of fresh air.
I love how he goes on a full-on tangent because he's so passionate about it.
I'm glad im not alone on writing novel screenplays and having no idea on how my story ends. I thought i was doing something wrong all this time.
You're definitely not alone. That is generally how the best work is done.
Thanks that's good to know!
That's how you feel unless you write the ending first, generally speaking.
I do get criticized for including narration that borders on "should be shown not told," and I DO make the choice, more than occasionally, to show. I'm doing mostly adaptations of my own novels, however, and I've found two things: First, making scenes out of narratives is FUN. I get to control how that scene plays out. BUT I also get to make up scenes that were never in the novel, but make the film better/more interesting or help clarify a character's motivation. And while I agree with comments like those of Nick Carlson, I still believe the RIGHT producer/director will find colorful narration that expands or clarifies (again, occasionally) helpful and may just trigger a pathway in that individual's mind, an "i get that" moment, possibly.
That all said, yeah, it seems like if you really want to make the movie you want to make, you kind of have to do it yourself or, at the very least, find indies who can embrace the story as you have written it.
No matter, I'm going to write what I know in the, albeit structured, manner in which the words/scenes/dialogue appear in my mind. Thank you.
There's only return alright, and it ain't of the king!
Its funny - similar to Agatha Christie's style - she said she didn't know who her murderer was going to be until she reached the reveal.
That's how I was when I wrote one of my longest pieces; where I didn't know who the murderer or their motive was until they revealed themself to me.
I love this! I write similarly but I’m sure that’s also because I want people to truly understand the characters and their intentions. I love this so much. My chest actually gets tight hearing him speak. It makes my heart race and it’s so great to hear about something like this spoken by someone who truly lives and breathes his passion every day.
So helpful to hear! Screenplays need to be written in a way that makes you want to read them! I'm working hard to get there! 😊
Legitimately helpful insight, thank u
Wow I really needed to hear this. seeing the comment section makes me feel like I’m not alone on feeling like this in a first draft. thought it was a bad thing to learn about my characters as I go and have no idea how we get to the end. But then I find Quentin Tarantino writes his scripts like that is amazing. hands down one of my favorite writer and directors
this is incredibly useful and helpful to me.
Fascinating. This is very much the way I write, and I've been told by industry people (repeatedly) that it's wrong. It's nice to know that one of the greatest writer/directors of our time does the same thing...
This is awesome. I come from the same school of screenplay writing where I have a solid idea of where to start, but then I let the characters write the rest.
I learned something from this interview.
I love the idea that he puts stuff in that's just to give 'feeling' or 'atmosphere' that aren't seen. I wish this was an acceptable concept for producers, rather than what they see as a cancer that must be excised...
A very inspirational and passionate filmmaker/writer who loves what he does. His creative process is organized and well thought out. He does his own thing and doesn't listen to the critics. As far as stepping out of one's comfort zone: He is really good at! Quentin is an inspiration in me wanting to be a film director. Other influences include: Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jeff Davis (Criminal Minds/Teen Wolf), and Richard Wolf of Law And Order franchise.
This was awesome. He could make anything sound interesting.
This is good advice for first time writers; the producer can read what will be taken out which is important, rather than deleting it before the producer can read what it is.
Pure genius greatest screen writer ever.
I had been drifting around this idea of how to write a screenplay that will most likely never get made.
Aaron Kaminski what's the storyline?
He should sell in novel form also.
It would be fantastic if it had paitings as illustrations inside.
he says he plans to write novels after he retires from film making.
That’s another talent, though, and he’s not necessarily any good at it. Just because he writes something that is too cumbersome or extraneous for a typical script, and has to adapt an idea to the screen, doesn’t mean he could tell that scene well with words. In fact, I doubt he could. Personally, I thought the worst part of Kill Bill was Uma talking to the camera. It sounded like poorly written, phony exposition to me. Not his strong suit.
Sophia'sFavorite. His style is Pulp Fiction.
John Brown the Abolitionist funny you should say that because I am writing a novel right now and I have got a better idea of writing novels than writing screenplays because when it comes to writing screenplays I have no fucking clue.
He says similar in the book "Directors on Directing". Something to the effect of he creates the characters, observes them, and then records what they say and do in his notebook. He also sounds like Richard Kind in this interview!
What a brilliant genius soul
Would love for this Legend to read one of my books.
Love Quentin and his work is so unique! I too write novels and I go totally against the grain.
Tarantino is the most incredibly talented screenplay writer of all time. And then surpasses that level of talent as a creator and director.
Some great advice.
I heard Tarantino might write novels and stage plays once he retires from film making. If he can conquer film medium through his writing style, I bet he'll do a hell of a job as a novelist and playwright.
The podcast is Draft Zero.
Thanks much!
Thanks Holly! You're still awesome :)
Thank you
Thanks. Do you know which episode?
It echoes the same process of writing a song or experimenting and learning as a young child. Dumping the all toys on the floor and going through the process of selecting which toys shall take part in play. It seems that Quentin writes his screenplay in an open novel format and then does his editing via directing. The advantage of doing both.
It's good to hear that this art form we practice, while required to be contained in a rather rigid format, is still, even for someone like Tarantino, quite fluid and frequently murky. Also, it's good to hear it from this guy. There are gazillions of "screenwriters" out there who had, once long ago, a shooting--star moment. Now they all seem to make their living telling us how to write screenplays. I'm not sure how much street cred they actually have, but it is also indicative of the industry, I think, in that we writers don't get too many homeruns. With that in mind, I'd almost rather gather a group of film school kids to shoot my movie than toss what is a pretty good script before swine. (One rather successful insider labeled it "Slingblade meets Natural Born Killers," and pledged a decent amount of money. I also got a couple of my lawyer clients to pony up some more. Now they're all demanding a good crew, and I don't know where to start...ugh.) Thanks Narrative Art.
What are the odds: Tarantino goes to bed listening to podcasts discussing his work!... You have to love the guy.
lovely!
Tarantino is awesome, I wanna apply this to a comic book n see how it turns out.
I wasn't convinced early on in Quentin's career with the writting until a third. or fourth film came along and the dialoge was just unforgettable QT films have a lot to say thru thier characters crucial to its film.Maybe I'll go on record in saying the best in American script writting to date.
I love him 😭 what a genius
Good video. Liked and subscribed.
I always wanted to hear from a genuine director what they think about writing, and how they went about the process from the written page, to shooting it.
I would love to read the original scripts he had for his movies.
I feel this for comic scripts too.
wow that's so interesting
Interesting!😉
That's awesome that he doesn't know who poisons the coffee before he writes it. Probably why his movies are so suspenseful throughout. One of my experiments is to write one paragraph per day of a fictional story whether I feel like it or not. Kind of an interesting challenge keeping it logical after some bizarre twist.
Genus he is a great teacher
The podcast that QT is referring to is Draft Zero:
draft-zero.com/2014/dz-13/
Very interesting about writing a story (novel or screenplay) from start to finish and letting it unfold while writing. However, is this not strongly dependent on the narrative, like the way of writing? Let's say someone writes a whodunnit, and the writer does not know (does not write) the killer until he comes to the end part, and then he chooses who the killer is. Does that not mean there's a high chance of getting plot holes, like some parts in the beginning or middle may not add up to the final part?
There’s like four people In Hollywood that can write screenplays like that. Anyone else will have their manuscript thrown straight in the bin. QT has earned the right to do what he wants, but it’s a fair criticism in a general sense.
His screenplays would make great books
When this man speaks 🎥 you 👂
Contrary to everything my film professors teach. I still love his movies!
Do your film professors disapprove of Tarantino movies?
Lol sounds like the joker talking
02:57 "I've written a movie that really can't be done, Batman, and you're playing the lead."
Jack Nicholson sounds nothing like this.
Flip Jupiter health Leger
@AutomobileFunk it doesn't sound anything like ledger either so don't know why the hell you're calling other people idiots when you obviously don't have a grasp on what's being said.
Anyone know the name of the podcast he mentioned at the beginning?
He sounds like Emo Phillips :o
Is there more to this interview?!?
I'm the opposite; I usually have a way clearer idea of how I want my thing to end than I do the beginning.
Interesting to read the script. The movie had a few refinements which made for a better movie.
this thing writers say, i've heard f. coppola say this too, that they don't know what happened in their own story is just over-committing to being immersed in what you're writing. in the case of the hateful eight i think it explains why the dialogue feels like it's going nowhere. it was probably written while the writer didn't know one of the central parts of the whole film. putting stuff in the movie people can't figure out adds a layer to the story that can be felt by the audience. the audience can also feel when you don't know what you're doing or why.
bri. lliant.
shout out bret easton ellis, writer of american psycho and host of this podcast
What a genius
What can I say ..... "x marks the spot!"
This guy is nuts!
This is so funny.. People nowadays accuse movie writers of being bad because every action a character makes isn't 100% transparent and you don't get the explanation given to you on a silver platter. I like the idea of Tarantino not even knowing all the motives of the character he was currently writing because it makes total sense to do it that way if you want to give some mysteriousness to a character.
damn. if you are writing right now u know how profound this sounds
He’s amazing 😂
I think that you CAN write a screenplay like a novel, but in the re-write, you have to do a lot of trimming to thin it out. I THINK like a novel, but write it as a screenplay.
does any one knows what type of a camcorder he is holding ?
thanks
Probably not a camcorder at all, looks like an 8mm or Super 8 movie camera (film) from the 60's or early 70's - the brand appears to be Leitz (ie. its a Leica movie camera) but its hard to tell from the picture) - the design is just as much from its time as an ipod is from the early 2000s - pure Leica excellence and it is fitting that such an excellent filmmaker be shown holding such an excellent old style movie camera - Leitz and Beauleiux (pardon) the spelling) are the personal filmmakers small movie format Rolls Royces of independent filmmaking gear.
I'm guessing it's the Leitz Wetzlar Leicina 8mm camera.
QT has said before he likes to shoot with a High 8 camera.
Regardless of the fact that Tarantino is a cinematic genius, there are plenty of people out there who can write or have written high quality screenplays.. The only difference between them and him, in production circumstances, is film budget.
and u think tarantino's first started his carrier he's making a blockbuster movie?people gotta start small
Dream job is being a writer
Only do this if you’re Tarantino
are any of his screenplays available in the public domain? would love to read one.
Go to the webside IMSDB.
It has A LOT of screenplays you can read for free.
Google "Movie name"+script and you will find everyone of em.
I highly recommend reading the crap out of his screenplays, and the screenplays for any movies you love, and even movies you hate if they're good, especially if you're writing to be a screenwriter. You know how novelists always say to read every book you can? Same applies for us who want to write scripts. They're immensely helpful in understanding formatting, story structure, character development, and even how the actual language of a good script should sound. I can't suggest it enough: read as many scripts as you can, man.
Carlos Murillo thanks man. Since I posted the comment I have read the script to Alien and Unbreakable. Both really enjoyable and insightful. Unbreakable was an amazing script.
That's awesome, dude, I'm really happy to hear that! :D Good choices, too, they're both great movies. That's my favorite thing about reading scripts: it is *immensely* enjoyable if you pick a movie that you like. I love to spend a lot of evenings at my desk devouring them the same way some people settle in with a book on the couch. It's a great, fun way to see how the pros do it, and there's an endless supply of great movies to check out.
Might I make a few suggestions? Not specific movies, but general ideas:
-Try to watch the movies after reading the script, preferably with the script in your face as well. It's a great way to compare and contrast what makes it in and how.
-On that note, try to read different versions of scripts if you know they went through a lot of revisions or just are a lot different compared to what's on screen. Tarantino is great for this since, as mentioned in this video, he writes for the reader and is aware that a lot of his stuff won't make it to screen.
-I strongly recommend watching movies from every time period. This is hard for me because I'm not a fan of old movies (like actually old, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin old) but it's invaluable to get some perspective and see what older techniques have informed their way to modern cinema. Same with new films since there are just so many in every genre coming out all the time. What are they doing differently? How does it work? Why does it work?
-Lastly, please try to watch films and read scripts from around the world. It will blow your mind to see great films from other countries and how they differ stylistically. I'm not crazy about old American films but I could watch Akira Kurosawa all day. This includes stuff like anime (and cartoons, for that matter); TV scripts are a great way to see how to deftly handle a large narrative well, like Breaking Bad, The Wire. Even smaller stuff like old Simpsons is great depending on your interest.
Whew! Sorry for the novel, but I'm clearly passionate, haha. All the best, man! (Also I accidentally posted part of the comment and had to edit to finish it, so sorry if you only saw half of this!)
P.S. Sorry, I'd also like to add whenever I say "watch movies from" that automatically includes "read scripts from" as well! Obviously you don't have to read the script for every good movie you ever see but at least a couple of films from every genre, part of the world, time period, and influential filmmakers are very useful.
Source?
Alriiiiiight
what is this from?
Hes right about writing.
*loudly gulp*
What camera is he holding?
Super 8 camera
QT can write them as novels because he knows he's getting his shit green lit. LITERALLY if he SHIT on a piece of papers, the studio would make it. so everyone else has to abide by the rules while he gets to break 'em.
Wheres the full interview??
Sal Romero It's from the Bret Easton Ellis (audio) interview i think. Should be on youtube.
Tarantino.
He kinda sounds like heath ledger's joker
He should write a horror movie.
Its like his finger is broken :)
Maybe to be true to your own vision and/or even discover what your vision is you need to write your screenplay like a novel, putting all the detail and story into it that you come up with, even down to the dreaded and verboten camera direction. The typical command is that you absolutely should not do that, but maybe that's just pre-packaging your creative children up for the inevitable slaughter in a pretty little box with a bow on it to please the delicate sensitivities of the butchers. There's no guarantee your film, the film you envision in your screenplay, will ever get made, even if you intend to make it yourself, so the screenplay might be the only thing you ultimately create and you might as well write exactly what you want. Or maybe film, true film, is not about written narrative but accomplished purely with the camera and through editing and going overboard with words on paper takes it in the wrong direction and away from film. Maybe screenplays should be even more sparse and sketch-like and prospective screenwriter/filmmakers shouldn't do their real storytelling until they get a camera in their hand. Anyway, clearly there are many different ways to look at it and it's probably best to survey all the options, even try them all out or invent your own, rather than slavishly follow the standard instruction from Hollywood slave masters in this post-Hollywood, post-celluloid world. I think it's a cool idea to write your story in several different ways, or anyway it's good to remember that you can always put it into a different format whenever you want, so write it however you feel like doing it. Whatever gets your story out is the only "right way" because no one is your master when you write. Getting too hung up on form only gets in the way.
What's this from?
An episode of Bret Easton Ellis' podcast.
Everything about writing a screenplay like a novel you're told *not* to do in screenwriting classes.
April Babies
Makes sense I guess. Tarantino never went to film school.
And that's why film school is bullshit.
When he say i steal from every movie ever made,if someone does the same thing to his movies will he be bothered?
Does anyone know which podcast Tarantino refers to?
no idea
Full interview here if you are interested (Bret Easton Ellis Podcast): podcastone.com/pg/jsp/program/episode.jsp?programID=592&pid=571355
+Shane O'Meara thanks mate, much appreciated
This from the BEE pod. He's actually referring to a podcast from Australia called Draft Zero.
Hey man why wouldn't you put adds on these ? Get some income coming in for sharing all of this
I don't think this works for starting writers. You need a lot of skills and experiences to finally reach to a point that you don't actually feels like you're using certain techniques. Quentin watched tens of thousands of films before he made his first. There are always tons of practices and learning that succeeded masters won't underline but extremely important.
Another screenwriting lesson. Make sure to always add a scene that includes feet.
Jimmy Droid why?
tomfoolyaface Tarantino has a foot fetish.
Jimmy Droid ah