OnWriting: A Podcast of the WGA East Episode 130: Screenwriter Roundtable with Nia DaCosta, Benny Safdie and Will Tracy
Nov 13, 2025
Join Nia DaCosta, the visionary writer-director of Hedda, Benny Safdie, the creative mind behind The Smashing Machine, and Will Tracy, known for Bugonia, as they dive into the art of adaptation. Nia shares her daring reinterpretation of Ibsen's classic, while Benny discusses the challenges of turning a real-life MMA fighter's story into film. Will reveals insights into his unique draft process and collaboration with renowned directors. Their candid exchanges reveal the nuances of transforming both classic literature and living narratives into captivating cinema.
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Single-View Adaptation Approach
- Will Tracy watched the Korean film Save the Green Planet only once to avoid being constrained by it.
- He wrote a free-handed adaptation during COVID to create a distinct American/Anglo take rather than a remake.
Take Bold Liberties When Adapting
- Do take bold liberties when adapting a classic so you add your voice rather than reproduce it.
- Reimagine time, place, gender, and tone to expose new emotional truths.
Documentary Grounding Fiction
- Benny Safdie used his prior documentary knowledge to inform fictional scenes and character dynamics.
- He interviewed the real subject and used real lines and moments to deepen the film's truth.
