In this episode, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad joins us to break down how he crafts character-driven action on the page. Derek shares how he thinks about tone, rhythm, and world-building, why action is an extension of the hero’s journey, and the psychological tricks he uses to survive rewrites.
We also dig into his collaborations with actors like Keanu Reeves and Bob Odenkirk, his approach to adapting IP, and the creative habits that keep him excited to write "fade in."
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The Screenwriting Life is produced by Jonathan Hurwitz and edited by Kate Mishkin.
Email us at thescreenwritinglife@gmail.com.
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The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna