The Hollywood Hang Franklin Leonard (The Black List)
8 snips
Aug 5, 2025 
Franklin Leonard, a film and television producer known for founding The Black List, shares insights into the critical role of screenwriting in Hollywood. He discusses the transformation of careers through script quality and the necessity of human feedback in storytelling. Leonard addresses the challenges facing the film industry today, including ethical concerns with AI and the impact of the pandemic on writers. He emphasizes the importance of community and curation in supporting writers, forging connections, and combating creative loneliness.
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From Small Town to Hollywood
- Franklin Leonard grew up in a small town with limited social life, finding escape through movies and bowling.
- A snowstorm in New York inspired him to move to LA and pursue a career in film.
Value of Junior Readers' Opinions
- Assistants and junior execs often have a stronger cultural pulse than top executives.
- Aggregating their opinions helps identify scripts that will resonate more with audiences.
Prioritize Script Quality Over Lists
- Focus on writing a great script and getting your movie made, not simply on making the annual Black List.
- Use the Black List website to share and gain feedback, but understand it differs from the annual industry-voted list.
