Hi podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’re joined by screenwriting duo Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis discussing their journey writing films such as Five Feet Below, and the recent Netflix adaptation of the J.A. White fantasy-horror novel, Nightbooks. Mikki Daughtry is a screenwriter and young adult fiction author. She is best known for writing, along with writing partner Tobias Iaconis, the films The Curse of La Llorona, Five Feet Apart, and Netflix’s Nightbooks.    Tobias Iaconis is also a screenwriter best known for his work with Daughtry, as well as 2009’s Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia. In 2012 he partnered with Daughtry for an adaptation of the Jack Kilborn action-horror novel Afraid.  Moderator Harrison Glaser sat down with the pair to discuss their process at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of The Curse of La Llorona courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures Clips of Five Feet Apart courtesy of CBS Films

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’re joined by The Terror writer, Dave Kajganich discussing the elements of scare. Kajganich is a screenwriter and producer. He has written several films in the horror genre, including 2009’s Blood Creek and the AMC network television series The Terror, as well as 2018’s Suspiria, on which he collaborated with Italian director Luca Guadagnino. I spoke with Dave Kajganich about his process of writing for the horror genre at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of The Terror courtesy of AMC Studios

Hi podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story the writers behind I AM LEGEND, TRUE BLOOD & THE WALKING DEAD discuss bringing the undead to life on screen.  Mark Protosevich is a screenwriter known for his work on the films Poseidon, Thor, Oldboy and most relevant to today’s episode, I Am Legend.  Alexander Woo is a screenwriter best known for writing several episodes of the HBO drama series True Blood. While also serving as Executive Producer on the show, True Blood earned an Emmy nomination, two Golden Globe nominations, and two NAACP Image Award nominations.  Angela Kang is a screenwriter and producer currently serving as showrunner on the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead. In addition to working on The Walking Dead and other shows, Kang also starred on the Talking Dead, a talk show about The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead.  Moderator Greg Garett spoke with this seasoned panel of writers about their craft at the Austin Film Festival.

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story, horror writers Akela Cooper and Owen Egerton discuss their love for the genre, setups and payoffs, emotional scares, and inspirational moments from classic horror films.  Akela Cooper is a television writer and producer whose work includes Hell Fest, American Horror Story; and Netflix’s Luke Cage. She began her career as the Writer’s Assistant on ‘Dexter’ and the Researcher on ‘Jericho.’ Following the programs, she landed her first staff writing job on the ABC series V. She then joined the NBC paranormal drama Grimm in 2012, as story editor and has since written for The 100 and Witches of East End, for which she also served as a co-producer. Cooper is currently set to write the next installment in James Wan’s Conjuring universe, Nun 2, produced by New Line. Owen Egerton is the writer/director of Mercy Black, Follow, and Blood Fest as well as a novelist whose work includes Hollow, which was named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR. Working in both horror and comedy, Egerton's screenplays have landed on the Black List and the Blood List, and have earned him writing work for Warner Brothers, Disney, and Fox Studios. Moderator Paul Alvarado-Dykstra spoke with Cooper & Egerton at the Austin Film Festival.  

This week on On Story we’ll join veteran screenwriters Shane Black and Ric Roman Waugh as they discuss what it takes to write and direct a big-budget blockbuster.  Considered one of the pioneer screenwriters of the action genre, Shane Black made his mark with his 1987 screenplay, Lethal Weapon. Black went on to pen the screenplays for such films as Nice Guys, Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, and the latest addition to the Alien vs. Predator franchise: Predator.    Ric Roman Waugh is a former stuntman, director, writer, and producer, known for his work in Felon, Snitch, and Shot Caller. He wrote and directed the third installment of the Has Fallen series, Angel Has Fallen in 2019, and is currently in production of Night Has Fallen, the fourth installment in the series. Moderator Harrison Glaser spoke with Shane and Ric at the Austin Film Festival

This week on On Story we’re diving behind the pages of the 1999 classic horror film The Blair Witch Project with screenwriter Daniel Myrick & his wife and research partner Julia Myrick. Daniel Myrick is a director and screenwriter, most known for co-directing and writing the 1999 psychological horror The Blair Witch Project with Eduardo Sánchez. Considered a seminal work in low budget, filmmaking, as well as being one of the highest grossing films in history, the film ushered in a new methodology of production and grass roots marketing that is still being utilized today. He later went on to pen the screenplays for Believers, which he co-wrote with his now wife, Julia Myrick, Solstice, The Objective and the 2020 sci-fi found footage horror film Skyman. 

This week on On Story we’re joined by Academy award winning screenwriter Ron Bass. In 1989, Bass won an Academy Award for co-writing Rain Man. The iconic road trip film stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and took home 4 Oscars – including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, in addition to Bass’ award for writing. Bass’ other writing credits include My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Joy Luck Club, and Stepmom. Over his 35-year career Bass has written 211 scripts which span a variety of genres. Ron Bass sat down with Film Programmer Casey Baron to discuss his process of writing the film What Dreams May Come after a retrospective screening at the Austin Film Festival.   Clips of What Dreams May Come courtesy of Polygram Filmed Entertainment & Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’re taking a trip out west with Babaloo Mandel and Lowel Ganz, the screenwriting duo behind the classic American Western comedy, CITY SLICKERS. Lowell Ganz and Marc “Babaloo” Mandel are long-time screenwriting partners that began their careers writing for comedic television in the 1970s. The two New Yorkers met in a Hollywood comedy club where Mandel worked as a joke writer. Having both served on the writing staff for the sitcom THE ODD COUPLE they discovered that they had a lot in common, including their off-beat sense of humor and a love of Billy Wilder. Their creative partnership began with collaborations on Laverne and Shirley and the duo made their feature screenplay debut with the black comedy NIGHT SHIFT. They would go on to write hits such as PARENTHOOD, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, and the subject of today’s episode, CITY SLICKERS. I spoke with the pair at a year-round event presented by the Austin Film Festival.    Clips of City Slickers courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment Clips of Night Shift courtesy of The Ladd Company Clips of Parenthood courtesy of Universal City Studios, Inc., and Imagine Films Entertainment, Inc. Clips of League of their Own courtesy of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

This week on On Story writing duo, David Benioff & D.B. Weiss joins Catherine Reitman & Sarah Green in conversation about the Art of Storytelling. Catherine Reitman is a screenwriter, and actress known for her roles on Black-ish and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Most recently, Reitman served as the creator, executive producer, writer, and star of the CBC comedy series Workin' Moms. Sarah Green is a producer, known for her work on Terrance Malik’s The Tree of Life, and Jeff Nichols’ Mud, and Loving. Benioff and Weiss created GAME OF THRONES. Under their supervision the series ran for 8 seasons, won 59 Emmys, and became one of HBO’s most popular programs. Producer Barry Josephson spoke with them on a panel about the Art and Craft of Storytelling at the Austin Film Festival.

This week on On Story we’ll hear from television writers, David Benioff & D.B. Weiss on their process of adapting the Emmy Award-winning HBO television series GAME OF THRONES. Benioff and Weiss created GAME OF THRONES, the HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s series of books ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. Under their supervision the series ran for 8 seasons, won 59 Emmys, and became one of HBO’s most popular programs. 

Hi podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from screenwriter and director Doug Atchison. Atchison is a writer-director best known for the 2006 film, Akeelah and the Bee which stars Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne. In 2000 the Atchison’s script won a Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting and the film later earned him a win at the 2007 Image Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Feature Film. Atchison went on to pen the screenplay for the 2018 biopic Brian Banks for which he won a Humanitas award. Moderator Alex Mitchell spoke with Atchison after a screening of Akeelah and the Bee at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Akeelah and the Bee courtesy of LionsGate Films Hi podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from screenwriter and director Doug Atchison. Atchison is a writer-director best known for the 2006 film, Akeelah and the Bee which stars Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne. In 2000 the Atchison’s script won a Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting and the film later earned him a win at the 2007 Image Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Feature Film. Atchison went on to pen the screenplay for the 2018 biopic Brian Banks for which he won a Humanitas award. Moderator Alex Mitchell spoke with Atchison after a screening of Akeelah and the Bee at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Akeelah and the Bee courtesy of LionsGate Films

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from award-winning screenwriter, playwright, producer and director, Kemp Powers. Kemp Powers is a Golden Globe-award winning, playwright, producer and director. In 2020 he co-directed and wrote the Academy Award Winning Pixar animated feature, Soul. He later wrote the critically acclaimed Amazon feature, One Night In Miami, which he adapted from his 2013 award-winning stage play. He was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2021 Academy Awards. The film is a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcom X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered to discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movment of the 60s. I spoke with Kemp Powers about his journey as a writer at a year round Austin Film Festival event that was co-presented with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Educational Initiatives.   Clips of One Night in Miami courtesy of Amazon Studios. Clips of Soul courtesy of  Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios.

This week on On Story we’ll hear from screenwriter Kelly Masterson as he takes on a journey from Script to Screen of the 2013 sci-fi action film, SNOWPIERCER, which was directed by Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho. The film follows the story of Chris Evans as Curtis Everett, one of the lower-class tail-section passengers of a train carrying the last remnants of humanity, as they rebel against the elite of the front of the train. Moderator Dennis Bishop spoke with Masterson on a panel at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Snowpiercer courtesy of Moho Film & Opus Pictures

This week on On Story we’ll hear from writer-director Neil Jordan who gave us the cinematic classics THE CRYING GAME, MICHAEL COLLINS, and INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. Neil Jordan is an Irish film director, screenwriter, novelist and short-story writer whose credits include THE CRYING GAME, MICHEAL COLLINS and INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE. In 1992 he won an Academy Award for best original screenplay for THE CRYING GAME. Most recently he wrote and directed 2018’s GRETA which stars Chloë Grace Moretz, as well as the television series RIVIERA. Producer Barry Josephson spoke with Jordan at the Austin Film Festival on a panel about his career as a writer-director. Clips of Mona Lisa courtesy of HandMade Films Clips of The Crying Game courtesy of Palace Pictures Clips of Interview with The Vampire courtesy of  Geffen Pictures

This week on On Story we’ll hear from three-time Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, playwright John Logan, about his journey from writing for the stage to the screen. John Logan is a playwright, screenwriter, and television producer known for his work on Gladiator, The Aviator, and 2011’s Hugo. In 1999 he wrote Any Given Sunday which was directed by Oliver Stone. His other work includes Rango, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for which he received a Golden Globe as well as the James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre. Producer Barbara Morgan, spoke with Logan about his incredible journey on a panel at the Austin Film Festival.

This week on On Story we’ll hear from television writer & producer Howard Gordon on his process of creating a hit television series. Howard Gordon is a television writer and producer best known for his work on the Fox action series 24 and the award-winning Showtime thriller Homeland which he co-developed with Alex Gansa. Gordon first gained national attention for his award-winning work on Fox’s groundbreaking series The X-Files, for which he won multiple Golden Globes. His other credits include Tyrant, Legends, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Beauty and the Beast, Sisters, and Spenser: For Hire. Producer Barry Josephson spoke with Gordon at the Austin Film Festival at a panel about his process of writing for hit television. Clips of Homeland, The X-Files, and 24 courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

This week on On Story, award-winning writer and director Brenda Chapman discusses how female perspective, a love of art, and an understanding of flawed characters influenced her writing in the animated classics The Lion King, The Prince of Egypt, and Brave. Brenda Chapman is an American writer, storyboard artist, and director. In 1998, she became the first woman to direct an animated feature from a major studio, DreamWorks Animation's The Prince of Egypt. In 2012, she co-directed the Disney/Pixar film Brave with Mark Andrews, becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Writer and Professor Greg Garrett spoke with Chapman about her process of taking ideas from the drawing board to the screen at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King & The Rescuers Down Under courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures Clips of The Prince of Egypt courtesy of DreamWorks, LLC Clips of Brave courtesy of Pixar & Disney Enterprises, Inc.

This week on On Story we’ll hear from veteran screenwriters John Lee Hancock, Brian Helgeland and Robin Swicord on the process of creating compelling characters. And later, award-winning writer and director Brenda Chapman discusses how female perspective, a love of art, and an understanding of flawed characters influenced her writing in the animated classics The Lion King, The Prince of Egypt, and Brave.   Characters are the emotional anchor for all great stories. No matter how intricate the plot, well-developed characters are crucial ingredients for engaging an audience and encouraging them to invest in a story's journey. I spoke with a group of veteran screenwriters about their process of crafting compelling characters at the Austin Film Festival. John Lee Hancock is a director, writer and producer most known for his work on The Blind Side, A Perfect World and his latest film The Little Things. Brian Helgeland is a screenwriter, producer and director. His writing credits include L.A. Confidential, Man on Fire, and A Knight’s Tale. Robin Swicord is the writer of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Memoirs of a Geisha and Little Women.   Clips of A Knight's Tale courtesy of Columbia Pictures Clips of A Perfect World courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc Clips of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. Clips of Man on Fire courtesy of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation & Regency Entertainment

Hello podcast listeners, you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from the filmmakers behind The Outpost. The film, which stars Scott Eastwood and Orlando Bloom, was adapted from Jake Tapper’s book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor which follows the story of a team of American soldiers as they valiantly work together to survive behind enemy lines. The panel included writers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, director Rod Lurie, and producer Paul Merryman. We spoke with the team behind The Outpost at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of The Outpost courtesy of Millennium Media & Screen Media Films

Hello podcast listeners. This week on On Story we’ll hear from Bill Hader and Alec Berg, the creators of HBO’s hit crime show, Barry. Alec Berg is a writer, producer and director whose credits include Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Silicon Valley and Barry which he co-created with Bill Hader. He’s been nominated for eighteen Emmys, ten Writers Guild awards and a Razzie. Bill Hader is an actor, writer and producer best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, for which he received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations and Peabody Award. We spoke with Alec Berg and Bill Hader at the Austin Film Festival, at a panel about their process of creating the hit HBO series Barry, which stars Bill Hader as a hitman who travels to Los Angeles to kill someone and finds himself drawn towards human connection in the form of a group of aspiring actors. Clips of Barry courtesy of Home Box Office Television

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Alexander & Karaszewski are a screenwriting duo, best known for their unusual biopics with larger-than-life characters. Their film credits include: The People vs. Larry Flynt, American Crime Story: THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON, and Ed Wood. Their first commercial success was 1990’s Problem Child, which later spawned two sequels. In 1994 they released the biographical dramedy Ed Wood which was directed by Tim Burton and won two Academy Awards. Their first foray into television was American Crime Story: THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON, a true crime anthology drama based on the O. J. Simpson  murder trial. The show went on to win nine Primetime Emmys after it aired on FX in 2016, with Alexander and Karaszewski nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special. Producer Barry Josephson spoke with Alexander & Karaszewski at a panel at the Austin Film Festival.   Clips of Problem Child courtesy of Universal City Studios & Imagine Entertainment Clips of Ed Wood courtesy of Touchstone Pictures & The Walt Disney Company Clips of The People vs. Larry Flynt courtesy of Columbia Pictures Industries Clips of American Crime Story courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation & FX Clips of Man on the Moon courtesy of Universal Pictures

Hello podcast listeners, I’m Barbara Morgan and you’re listening to Austin Film Festival’s On Story. This week on On Story we’ll hear from Seinfeld writer David Mandel. David Mandel was the executive producer and showrunner of the Emmy Award-winning TV show Veep, and was also an executive producer and director of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He was a writer for several seasons of Seinfeld and also co-wrote the screenplay for the 2003 film adaptation of The Cat In The Hat. Comedian John Merriman spoke with Mandel at a retrospective screening of episodes of Seinfeld at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Seinfeld courtesy of NBC

This week on On Story we’ll hear from Gone Girl author and screenwriter Gillian Flynn. Gillian Flynn is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Gone Girl, for which she wrote the Golden Globe-nominated screenplay. She is also the author of the New York Times bestsellers Dark Places and Sharp Objects. Flynn later adapted and executive produced the Emmy-nominated SHARP OBJECTS for HBO in 2018, which starred Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Also in 2018, Flynn co-wrote, with director Steve McQueen, the screenplay for the heist thriller WIDOWS, starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo. Most recently, Flynn wrote and executive produced UTOPIA for Amazon. I spoke with Gillian Flynn at the 2020 Austin Film Festival about her creative process of writing across mediums and adapting her own work.  Clips of Gone Girl & Widows courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation & Regency Entertainment Clips of Sharp Objects courtesy of Warner Brothers Television & HBO Clips of Dark Places courtesy of A24 & Denver & Delilah Films

This week on On Story we’ll hear from Ed Solomon, the screenwriter behind Men in Black and the co-writer of the Bill & Ted series. Solomon has had a major film released in each of the last 5 decades starting in 1989 with his first feature Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, which he co-wrote with Chris Matheson. That film has spawned 2 sequels, both written by Solomon and Matheson, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and 2020’s Bill & Ted Face the Music. Solomon wrote Men in Black, Now You See Me, and HBO’s interactive series Mosaic. I spoke with Solomon about his writing and the process behind deciding which ideas to pursue at the 2020 Austin Film Festival.

This week on On Story, a conversation with The Queen’s Gambit co-creator, Scott Frank and Chernobyl researcher Mimi Munson. Frank is an Academy Award nominated screenwriter whose recent project, The Queen’s Gambit, won Best Miniseries at the Golden Globes. I spoke with Frank and Munson at the 2020 virtual Austin Film Festival about their frequent collaboration and how research plays a crucial part in developing projects.

This week on On Story, Emmy-award winning television creator and screenwriter Damon Lindelof joins us for a conversation about the HBO series Watchmen. The series was nominated for 26 Emmy awards - ultimately winning 11, including Best Limited Series. Clips of Watchmen courtesy of DC Comics, Home Box Office, and Warner Brothers Television Clips of The Leftovers courtesy of Warner Brothers Television and Home Box Office

This week on On Story, critically acclaimed writer, Kevin Willmott, joins us for an in-depth conversation on balancing messages of social justice with entertainment. His filmography includes collaborations with filmmaker Spike Lee on Da 5 Bloods, Chi-Raq, and  BlacKkKlansman – which one the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2019. Greg Garrett spoke with Willmott at the virtual Austin Film Festival. Clips of The Searchers courtesy of C.V. Whitney Pictures, Warner Brothers, and HBOMax Clips of Destination Planet Negro courtesy of Candy Factory Films Clips of BlackKklansman courtesy of Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks Clips of the 24th courtesy of New Slate Ventures and Vertical Entertainment Clips of She’s Gotta Have It courtesy of 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks and MGM Home Entertainment Clips of Chi-Raq courtesy of 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks and Amazon Studios Clips of Da 5 Bloods courtesy of Netflix

This week on On Story, filmmakers Stanley Kalu and Ali Leroi discuss the journey of bringing The Obituary of Tunde Johnson from a screenplay competition to the screen. The film follows an African-American teenager that is trapped in a terrifying time loop after being shot to death by police. Ali LeRoi is an Emmy Award-winning writer who is best known for co-creating the hit series Everybody Hates Chris. Stanley Kalu, is a screenwriter and former USC student - Tunde Johnson is his first produced screenplay. The pair spoke with Senior Film Programmer, Casey Baron, at the 2019 Austin Film Festival. Clips of The Obituary of Tunde Johnson courtesy of Wolfe Releasing.

This week on On Story, a conversation with industry veteran, Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman has written across multiple genres -- from superhero movies to biographies tackling mental health issues. Some of his most recognizable film credits include Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, The Client, The Da Vinci Code, and the four-time Academy Award Winner A Beautiful Mind, which earned Goldsman a win for Best Adapted Screenplay. Recently, Goldsman has worked as a writer, director, and producer for the newest addition to the Star Trek television franchise, Star Trek: Picard.

This week on On Story, John Lee Hancock discusses writing and directing The Little Things. The film stars Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek, and follows two police officers in pursuit of a serial killer terrorizing Los Angeles in the 1990s.

This week on On Story, a conversation with award-winning screenwriter, director, and author Amy Talkington. In 2020, she wrote the series finale episode of Hulu’s Emmy-nominated hit series Little Fires Everywhere, which she also co-executive produced. 2020 also saw the release of Valley Girl, a musical remake of the 80s cult film, which Talkington wrote. Sarah Lawrence professor Fred Strype, spoke with Talkington about Little Fires Everywhere and her career starting out as an independent filmmaker at the Austin Film Festival. Clips of Little Fires Everywhere courtesy of ABC Signature Studios, Be Sunshine LLC, and Disney Enterprises Inc

This week on On Story a conversation with Gina Prince-Bythewood. Prince-Bythewood is an award-winning writer, director, and producer who has been working in film and television for over 20 years. As a writer/director Prince-Bythewood has released three feature films; Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees, and Beyond the Lights.   Clips of Love & Basketball courtesy of New Line Cinema, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks Clips of Beyond the Lights courtesy of BET Films and Relativity Media Clips of The Old Guard courtesy of Netflix

From Austin Film Festival this is On Story, a look inside the creative process from today’s leading creators, writers and filmmakers. I’m your host, Barbara Morgan.   Academy Award-winning screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie’s films include Jack Reacher, The Way of the Gun, and the two most recent Mission: Impossible films – Fallout and Rouge Nation.  His writing credits include Edge of Tomorrow, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Usual Suspects. The Usual Suspects garnered McQuarrie an Academy Award and the BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay, as well as the Edgar Allan Poe and Independent Spirit Awards. It has since been named one of the 100 greatest screenplays of all time by The Writers Guild of America. I spoke with McQuarrie at an Austin Film Festival virtual event that was co-presented by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

From Austin Film Festival this is On Story, a look inside the creative process from today’s leading creators, writers and filmmakers. I’m your host, Barbara Morgan.   From Christmas classics to modern holiday hits, the magic of storytelling seems to be stronger during the holiday season. We spoke with the writers behind some of the most celebrated modern Christmas films to discuss writing stories set during the most wonderful time of the year. Karen Schaler wrote 2017’s A Christmas Prince which was Netflix’s first original Christmas film and spawned two sequels. Matt Lieberman wrote 2018’s The Christmas Chronicles, also released by Netflix, which starred Kurt Russell. Lieberman also wrote the sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2. David Berenbaum wrote the 2003 holiday hit Elf which stars Will Ferrell. The three writers spoke with moderator Fabienne Harford at the Austin Film Festival.

From Austin Film Festival this is On Story, a look inside the creative process from today’s leading creators, writers and filmmakers.  Ric Roman Waugh is a director, writer, producer, and former stuntman. As a writer/director, Waugh’s work include Felon, Snitch, and Shot Caller. In 2019, he co-wrote and directed Angel Has Fallen, the third film in the Fallen film series, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as Secret Service agent Mike Banning. In 2020, Waugh directed the apocalyptic disaster film Greenland, which also stars Butler as a family man trying to find sanctuary from a planet-killing comet that threatens to destroy Earth. I spoke with Waugh about the film after an advance screening in Austin, Texas.

From Austin Film Festival this is On Story, a look inside the creative process from today’s leading creators, writers and filmmakers. I’m your host, Barbara Morgan. In 1989, screenwriter Ron Bass won an Academy Award for co-writing Rain Man. The iconic road trip film stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and took home 4 Oscars – including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, in addition to Bass’ award for writing. Bass’ other writing credits include My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Joy Luck Club, and Stepmom. Over his 35-year career Bass has written 211 scripts which span a variety of genres. Ron Bass spoke about his illustrious career with former AFF Creative Director Erin Hallagan at the 26th Austin Film Festival where he was awarded the Bill Wittliff Award for Screenwriting.   Clips of What Dreams May Come courtesy of Polygram Filmed Entertainment & Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Clips of Rain Man courtesy of United Artists & 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Clips of My Best Friends Wedding courtesy of TriStar Pictures & Sony Pictures Entertainment Clips of The Joy Luck Club courtesy of Buena Vista Home Entertainment Clips of When a Man Loves a Woman courtesy of Touchstone Pictures Clips of Black Widow courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

From Austin Film Festival this is On Story, a look inside the creative process from today’s leading creators, writers and filmmakers. Phil Hay is a screenwriter and producer. Hay’s writing partner Matt Manfredi and director Karyn Kusama made the 2019 Los Angeles crime drama Destroyer which starred Nicole Kidman. In 2015, the three made the horror film The Invitation – the film follows a man as he becomes increasingly suspicious of his ex-wife’s motives while attending a dinner party hosted at their old house. Hay spoke about the film at the 26th annual Austin Film Festival with moderator Maya Perez.

This week on On Story, from suspenseful scares to urban legends and classic movie monsters, horror stories rely on the psychology of fear to thrill and chill us with the things that we fear most. Paul Alvarado-Dykstra discusses the scripts behind the scares with Akela Cooper, the writer behind the Conjuring spinoff, The Nun 2 and American Horror Story, and horror writer/director and author Owen Egerton.

This week on On Story we’ll hear from screenwriter Liz Hannah whose first screenplay, The Post, became an Academy Award nominated film. And later Oscar and Emmy nominated producer Sarah Green discusses her approach to producing and her frequent collaborations with filmmakers Jeff Nichols and Terrence Mallick.

This week on On Story we’ll talk with science fiction writers and filmmakers to discuss writing futuristic, out of this world stories. The team behind Skyman will discuss the freedom behind shooting a faux-documentary film. And later the writers behind Rogue One and Jurassic World: Dominion will talk about their experience writing big budget franchise films.

This week on On Story we’ll look at how true stories are told on the screen. From narrative films adapted from true events to documentaries that explore real individuals and incidents. We’ll talk with filmmakers and writers about the challenges behind balancing fact and fiction while staying true to the heart of the subject’s story.   Kieran Fitzgerald is a writer behind several projects based on true stories. He wrote the screenplay for 2016’s Snowden which depicted the events of American whistleblower Edward Snowden and co-wrote the miniseries Wormwood which examined the mysterious death of scientist and CIA employee Frank Olson in 1953. In 2007, Fitzgerald wrote and directed the documentary The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez. The film, which is narrated by Tommy Lee Jones, investigates the killing of Esequiel Hernandez Jr. who was shot and killed by an active United States Marine near the US-Mexico border. The 1997 incident marked the first time an American civilian had been killed by an on duty military personal since the 1970 Kent State shootings. I recently spoke to Fitzgerald about the research required behind bringing true stories to the screen and films ability to highlight the emotional truths behind real events. Next up, screenwriters behind biopics and true-life narratives discuss the power that films have to drive change. David Rabinowitz, who won an Academy Award for co-writing BlacKkKlansman, Barbara Stepansky writer of Flint, and Doug Atchison writer of Brian Banks spoke with moderator Matt Dy at Austin Film Festival in a panel co-presented by Screen Craft and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

This week on On Story we’re bringing you discussions with the creative teams behind two hit comedy series. Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch will discuss their Netflix series – GLOW, which chronicles the lives of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling - a 1980’s women's wrestling circuit. And later, creators Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom join filmmaker Katie Hyde to discuss the musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and the documentary Oh My God I Think It’s Over - which chronicled the creation of the final season. Clips of GLOW courtesy of Netflix Clips of Crazy Ex Girlfriend courtesy of  CBS Studios Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc, and The CW Network On Story is part of a growing number of programs in Austin Film Festival’s On Story Project, including the On Story PBS series, The On Story radio program and podcast and the On Story book series. To find out more about On Story and Austin Film Festival, visit www.onstory.tv or www.austinfilmfestival.com On Story is brought to you in part by the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, a Texas family providing innovative funding since 1979. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the US Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas Library and Archives Commission. This program is also made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas the state affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities. On Story is supported in part by DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts. The show is produced by Barbara Morgan, our associate producers are Colin Hyer, Maya Perez, and Kaetie Turner. Our editors are Jamal Knox and Travis Neeley. Audio capture by Travis Kennedy. Music is by Brian Ramos. Production assistance comes from Sound Lab Inc. Travis Kennedy and KUT 90.5 in Austin. Go to AustinFilmFestival.com to find out more about the Austin Film Festival & Conference in October.

This week on On Story, Scott Rosenberg (writer Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Victoria Strouse (writer Finding Dory), and Jeffrey Lieber (writer Lost) discuss finishing scripts, trusting your gut, and finding your ‘Fade to Black’.

This week on On Story, join Netflix’s Seis Manos co-creators Alvaro Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series), Brad Graeber (CEO, Powerhouse Animation), and director Willis Bulliner for a conversation on writing, developing, and animating the adult anime series. In this podcast, the team will discuss the collaborative process for creating an animated series. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.

This week on On Story, Alex Tse (co-creator Wu-Tang: An American Saga), David Gleeson (writer Tolkien), and Micah-Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster (co-writers A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) discuss strategies for writing an effective biopic and the art of balancing fact and fiction while staying true to the heart of your subject’s story. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.

This week on On Story we’ll bring you conversations with two comedy titans. VEEP showrunner and Seinfeld writer David Mandel will discuss the widely successful HBO series that wrapped in 2019 and legendary screenwriter Daniel Petrie, Jr. will examine the 1985 comedy classic Beverly Hills Cop which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Clips of Veep courtesy of Home Box Office, Inc Clips of Beverly Hills Cop courtesy of Paramount Pictures Corporation On Story is part of a growing number of programs in Austin Film Festival’s On Story Project, including the On Story PBS series, The On Story radio program and podcast and the On Story book series. To find out more about On Story and Austin Film Festival, visit onstory.tv or austinfilmfestival.com On Story is brought to you in part by the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, a Texas family providing innovative funding since 1979. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the US Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas Library and Archives Commission. This program is also made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas the state affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities. On Story is supported in part by DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts. The show is produced by myself, Barbara Morgan, our associate producers are Colin Hyer, Maya Perez, and Kaetie Turner. Our editors are Jamal Knox and Travis Neeley. Audio capture by Travis Kennedy. Music is by Brian Ramos. Production assistance comes from Sound Lab Inc. Travis Kennedy and KUT 90.5 in Austin. Go to AustinFilmFestival.com to find out more about the Austin Film Festival & Conference in October.  

This week on On Story, we’re exploring action & description with the writers behind 22 Jump Street, Watchmen, and Jurassic World 3. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.

This week on On Story, the writers behind The Terror, The Chi, Mudbound, and NCIS: New Orleans explore how a location and time period can influence the tone of your story. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.

This week on On Story, Jason Fuchs (co-writer Wonder Woman), David Lowery (writer/director A Ghost Story), and Kay Oyegun (writer This Is Us) discuss the importance of dialogue in your script – when to ‘show’ and when to ‘tell’ and why something we do every day can be so difficult to get down on the page. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.

This week on On Story the writers behind Westworld, Insecure, Hook, and Queen Sugar explore the tools for writing compelling characters and why character building is so vital to the success of your story. If you are looking for a little inspiration or motivation to get back to your script – We are here to help.  Austin Film Festival has over 26 years of archived panels that we will be curating and releasing every Wednesday to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your work. Looking for more resources? Check out austinfilmfestival.com for more audio, streaming suggestions, writing prompts, and more. See you next week.