Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

BPS 276: Reality Check: What Really Happens After You Win an Oscar® for Screenwriting with Tom Schulman

12 snips
Feb 15, 2023
Tom Schulman, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter renowned for classics like *Dead Poets Society*, shares candid insights about life after winning an Oscar. He discusses the pressures and expectations that arise, the shift in the film industry towards franchises, and the unpredictability of the screenwriting journey. Schulman also reflects on directing, the importance of creative freedom, and the challenges of storytelling, all while navigating the chaotic world of filmmaking. Plus, he shares anecdotes from his latest indie project, *Double Down South*.
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ANECDOTE

Dead Poets Society Journey

  • Tom Schulman wrote Dead Poets Society after telling the story to his girlfriends and wife repeatedly.
  • It took several agents and years before the script was bought and made into a film.
INSIGHT

Understanding Executive Mindset

  • Executives often say 'no' as a default because they lack the ability or will to think differently.
  • The executive mindset follows the 'sandbox' fight for an object where consensus only rises once someone shows interest.
ANECDOTE

Robin Williams' On-Set Improv

  • Robin Williams initially performed on set strictly on script but loosened up after an improv suggestion from director Peter Weir.
  • This improv was captured in the film and marked a turning point for Williams' performance.
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