Future of StoryTelling (FoST) Discovering Great Stories with The Black List — Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston
Mar 13, 2025
Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, and Randy Winston, its creative director, dive into the platform's evolution from film to publishing. They discuss the importance of providing feedback and connections for writers, revealing how The Black List empowers emerging voices in both industries. The duo explores innovative storytelling approaches, emphasizing the value of original narratives over traditional metrics. They also tackle the challenges of diversity in publishing, offering insights for aspiring writers on navigating the complex landscape.
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Great Screenplays: The Best Business Plan
- The Blacklist's success proves great screenplays are the best business plan, not big budgets or famous actors.
- Movies from Black List scripts earn 90% more revenue, often featuring unique stories initially overlooked by executives.
The Value of Honest Feedback
- The Blacklist helps writers understand their strengths and weaknesses through feedback, even if harsh.
- Writers value this guidance, enabling them to improve and become professional writers.
The Power of Quirky Films
- The Black List champions quirky, unique films often rejected by traditional Hollywood for being too unconventional.
- These films achieve significant financial success, demonstrating the potential of overlooked stories.