Justin Kuritzkes, the talented screenwriter behind 'Challengers', dives into the intricate dynamics of love and tension in storytelling. He discusses how screenplays uniquely differ from other writing forms and the challenges of capturing real-world stakes in a fictional setting. Kuritzkes reveals his obsessive journey into the world of tennis while developing the script and how collaborating with actors enriched character depth. He emphasizes the need for tension and emotional stakes, offering pearls of wisdom for aspiring screenwriters.
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Screenwriting's Dual Nature
Screenwriting is a rigidly formalistic medium with limited space.
It serves as both a reading experience and an invitation for collaboration.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Learning Curve
Justin Kuritzkes had to learn the technicalities of screenwriting on the fly.
The assistant director taught him how to lock pages in Final Draft.
insights INSIGHT
Collaborative World-Building
Luca Guadagnino's inclusive production meetings enriched the script.
Department heads' questions about details helped build a richer world.
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Justin Kuritzkes is the screenwriter for the film, Challengers, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor. The story revolves around tennis pros who are caught in a love triangle. It’s not just about the game of tennis, but about the game of love and power. Let’s dive into Justin’s process of writing such a damn good movie!
In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins speaks with writer Justin Kuritzkes to discuss:
How screenplays differ from other written mediums
Building up a story that would realistically exist in the real world
The inspiration behind the story
How writing the movie made tennis less enjoyable for him to watch
Deciding on the setting of the story
Surprising moments during the writing process
Writing in cars, hotel rooms, and airplanes when you are pressed for time
The questions he asked himself before writing the story
Collaborating with actors and getting their feedback
Feeling like you are watching the movie as you write the script
Memorable Quotes
“The thing about screenwriting is that it’s such a rigidly formalistic, medium.” [3:52]
“I started thinking about the movie and I started watching a lot of tennis. Quickly, I became an obsessive tennis fan. I almost didn’t want to write the movie.” [11:40]
“It’s like the big bang. Once the character is there, it’s sort of like “Now, there is light!’” [14:23]
“If you feel like you are watching the movie when you’re writing it, hopefully, other people will feel that way, too.” [24:37]
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