Official Screenwriting

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Screenwriting and the entertainment industry as it relates to filmmakers. Shows will include interviews with producers, writers, and directors, discussion of recent movies and spec sales, as well as analysis of the top screenwriting books, such as Blake Snyder's SAVE THE CAT and John Truby's THE ANA…

Adam Levenberg


    • Dec 20, 2015 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 40 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Official Screenwriting

    BRIDGE OF SPIES & CRIMSON PEAK

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2015 25:43


    Adam talks BRIDGE OF SPIES & the beautifully ludicrous CRIMSON PEAK

    2015 Summer Movie Wrapup (In November!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2015 27:03


    Adam's thoughts on SPY, EX-MACHINA, INSIDE OUT, ANT-MAN, AMERICAN ULTRA and THE GIFT

    THE GREEN INFERNO

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2015 20:56


    Adam's take on THE GREEN INFERNO and admiring Eli Roth's approach to setup and payoff.

    JURASSIC WORLD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2015 18:27


    This week, Adam talks about the two big screenwriting issues in JURASSIC WORLD.

    MAD MAX, THEY CAME TOGETHER & DAREDEVIL

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2015 20:54


    Adam shares quick thoughts on THEY CAME TOGETHER, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, as well as GRACE & FRANKIE and DAREDEVIL

    Writers Meetings, THE EQUALIZER & JUPITER ASCENDING

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2015 22:55


    Adam gives thoughts on the most important thing for writers to do during notes meetings plus quick thoughts on THE EQUALIZER (make your characters smart!) and JUPITER ASCENDING (too much damsel in distress!)

    KINGSMAN, FOCUS & THE BABADOOK

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2015 28:35


    Adam shares his thoughts on KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, FOCUS, and his favorite movie of 2014, THE BABADOOK. Plus, quick musings on BIRDMAN winning best picture and why HOUSE OF CARDS continues to fascinate.

    New Female Action Franchises & AWAKENINGS

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2014 30:28


    Adam quickly covers the announcement of Sony's move to turn SPIDERMAN and GHOSTBUSTERS into female action franchises, plus an Act I analysis of the classic Robin Williams film AWAKENINGS.

    FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Trailer Deconstructed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2014 23:02


    Adam deconstructs the trailer of the upcoming megahit FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, plus listener questions.

    WISH FULFILLMENT AND THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2014 20:29


    Adam discusses wish fulfillment in Josh Boone's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, plus some quick thoughts on TAMMY.

    Character Introductions & Pitchfest Wrapup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2014 39:33


    Adam talks about his Great American Pitchfest panel with Ryan Engle, Shane Black, and Alvaro Rodriguez. Plus, an analysis of character introductions from NON-STOP and THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT.

    GODZILLA, THE NORMAL HEART & THE GREAT AMERICAN PITCHFEST

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2014 31:51


    This week, Adam provides quick screenwriting thoughts on GODZILLA & THE NORMAL HEART. At the end of the episode, he provides advice to those attending THE GREAT AMERICAN PITCHFEST, which takes place June 20-22 in Burbank, CA. Use discount code ALGAPF11 when buying your tickets!

    Crowdfund A Strong Concept and Fox’s Gotham Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2014 26:24


    How the GOSNELL project raised a nearly $2 million budget based on the concept alone. Plus, quick thoughts on Fox's GOTHAM trailer and Ed O'Neill's character from MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.

    Supporting Character Tips and Tricks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2014 43:28


    Adam tackles how to bring life to supporting characters using examples from GHOSTBUSTERS and THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR followed by quick thoughts on James Franco's INTERIOR LEATHER BAR. Plus, reaction to the HOW DID THIS GET MADE episode featuring COLOR OF NIGHT.

    GRAND BUDAPEST Framing and Screenwriting Tricks in GOD’S NOT DEAD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2014 28:48


    Adam talks about the quadruple framing device in THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, discusses the hero's perspective in terms of SABOTAGE, and reveals the screenwriting tricks that made GOD'S NOT DEAD the top indie hit of 2014.

    Big Action Screenwriting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2014 29:54


    This week, Adam talks about the best non-entertainment podcast for screenwriting ideas and takes a look at an action scene on the page that can easily be improved. Also, he provides a commentary and analysis of a scene from the classic action  flick THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT.

    A New Official Screenwriting Podcast!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2014 35:23


    Check out this new version of the podcast, which is finally edited for content!  Adam shares some thoughts on the Oscars, gives advice to screenwriters looking to collaborate, provides initial reaction to the blockbuster NON-STOP, plus more.

    Finding a Unique Take: BAD GRANDPA & THE RINGER

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2014 37:40


    Adam discusses his love for BAD GRANDPA and examines Johnny Knoxville's earlier project THE RINGER in terms of matching an outrageous concept with a fresh approach to character.

    2014 Oscar Nominations plus SAVING MR. BANKS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2014 41:44


    Adam provides his thoughts on some Oscar surprises. Plus, additional screenwriting thoughts on DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, INSIDE LLWEYN DAVIS, NEBRASKA, and SAVING MR. BANKS.

    Romance in THOR & THOR: THE DARK WORLD

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2013 25:32


    Adam tackles how to improve the romance in THOR & THOR THE DARK WORLD with The Bat Signal's Jeff Sussman.

    First Act Ideas in CAPTAIN PHILLIPS & DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2013 18:38


    This week, a quick look at some great ideas in the first acts of CAPTAIN PHILLIPS and THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB.

    General Reactions to ENDER’S GAME

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2013 40:07


    Adam and guest Jeff Sussman discuss general reactions to ENDER'S GAME immediately after the first screening. Plus, should kids be allowed to buy tickets to R-Rated films?

    THE GRAVITY EPISODE plus ROOM 237

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2013 41:02


    Adam talks about screenwriting techniques that make Alfonso Cuaron's GRAVITY awesome. Plus, he complains that documentary ROOM 237 puts forth some interesting theories and fails to follow up on any of them, content to let anonymous amateurs ramble for the entire running time. Special guest Jeff Sussman (THE BAT SIGNAL) returns.

    BREAKING BAD FINALE: Immediate Analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2013 51:03


    As soon as Breaking Bad ended, we flipped on the mics and worked out our thougts and feelings on the final episode of (perhaps) the greatest show ever.

    DEXTER Finale + EVIL DEAD REMAKE & TOYS REVISITED!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2013 48:11


    If you're a Dexter fan stick around for the second half where The Bat Signal's Jeff Sussman and I talk about our favorite seasons and reactions to the series finale. The first half of the episode is thoughts on the EVIL DEAD remake plus a quick revisiting of Barry Levinson's classic flop TOYS, a viewing inspired by the HOW DID THIS GET MADE podcast.

    THE HEAT & THIS IS THE END

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2013 21:33


    Adam offers perspective on two hysterically funny summer movies. First, some quick thoughts on the lack of character detail in THIS IS THE END followed by an examination of how THE HEAT undervalues tension (but still effectively shatters stereotypes found in female law enforcement cinema).

    Character Webs & BEHIND THE CANDELABRA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2013 37:24


    This week, Adam talks Soderbergh's latest (and possibly last) film BEHIND THE CANDELABRA in terms of a character web and the screenplay decisions made to connect the audience to the hero.

    The Great American Pitchfest Advice & Promised Land

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2013 23:41


    Advice for those attending The Great American Pitchfest (or any other screenwriting conference!) Plus, quick analysis on Act I of Matt Damon's PROMISED LAND which is now available on DVD.

    IRON MAN 3, Shane Black & Screenwriting Techniques

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2013 49:17


    Screenwriting techniques found in Shane Black's IRON MAN 3, plus listener questions such as "Should I take the chance of adapting a book without getting the rights first?" and "The director changed my short film script, what should I do?"

    THE GUILT TRIP & O. Henry Endings

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2013 40:46


    Adam talks PAIN & GAIN, how to approach writing a script about the making of a movie, problem solving in YENTL and then tackles Robert Altman's big complaint about Hollywood in terms of THE GUILT TRIP.

    New Advice plus DAREDEVIL rights back at Marvel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2013 29:32


    Adam jumps in with a new piece of screenwriting advice then discusses the DAREDEVIL project rejoining Marvel, plus creating characters with unexpected qualities, skills, or opinions.

    How Do You Find a Reading Job? Plus, RAT RACE & IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2013 33:58


    How do you find a reader's job if you're outside Hollywood? Also, Adam briefly talks about RAT RACE. Plus, does the classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE resemble a modern Hollywood movie?

    SINISTER and Thoughts on Roger Ebert

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2013 44:47


    Adam talks about why he loves the writings of Roger Ebert, plus discussion about films (such as KICK-ASS and VERY BAD THINGS) they disagree on. Also, thoughts on the horror-detective film SINISTER.

    WRECK-IT RALPH, More SKYFALL, Plus GIRLS Thoughts!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2013 39:30


    Adam discusses the plot holes of SKYFALL and does a first act breakdown of Disney's amazing WRECK-IT RALPH. Plus, his thoughts about the OCD storyline introduction on GIRLS.

    SKYFALL Thoughts, Gameplaying & 2012 Blacklist Writing Techniques

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2013 56:31


    Adam's thoughts on the latest Bond movie SKYFALL, how games can play a role at the logline and scene level, plus he delves into 2012 Blacklist scripts to examine specific screenwriting techniques.

    Working with Actors’ Production Companies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2013 42:21


    Adam covers working with actors' production companies and answers questions such as "should I make a teaser trailer to promote my script?" and "are one-pagers helpful?" Plus, he talks about his favorite podcast HOW DID THIS GET MADE and suggests his favorite so-bad-they're-great movies.

    Internal Conflict: Raimi’s OZ THE GREAT & DRAG ME TO HELL

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2013 41:57


    Adam discusses his reaction to OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and how the internal conflict (or "need") of the hero mirrors what we find in Sam Raimi's previous film DRAG ME TO HELL. PLUS, additional DRAG ME TO HELL analysis. Also, do you need more than one script ready to submit to agents and managers?

    The New/Old Categories of HORROR!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2013 54:22


    Adam briefly talks OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and FDR: AMERICAN BADASS! then jumps into the Horror genre. What are the categories of Horror that a screenwriter should use as a foundation in 2013? And do films such as MISERY, WARM BODIES and THE SIXTH SENSE actually function like horror movies from a screenwriting perspective?

    Interview: Michael Darrow, Editor of SOME GIRLS

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2013 48:34


    Where is the crossover between screenwriting and editing? Can independent filmmakers from around the world work with an LA based editor on their movies?  In this episode, Adam talks with Michael Darrow, editor of the upcoming film SOME GIRLS directed by Daisy Mayer and written by Neil LaBute. Plus, Adam's worst experience ever in a movie theater. Adam's Note: During the episode, I discuss the worst experience I've ever had in a movie theater which happened to be edited by interview guest. To clarify, my reaction was not to the film itself. I'm not saying I hate this movie more than any other movie I've ever seen. I simply felt the film was an exercise in therapy for the writer and star more than an entertainment experience for others and to sit in a theater with some of the people involved in the tragedy was unsettling.

    When Is Voice-Over Narration Appropriate?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2013 50:34


    What is the single most effective way you can stay on top of Hollywood's film and television output? Adam answers that question, tackles other issues such as a screenwriter's role once the script is sold. Also, when is voice-over narration acceptable? Plus, screenwriting lessons learned from YOUNG ADULT, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, DON JUAN DeMARCO and JENNIFER'S BODY.

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