Paul Schrader | BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture Series

Paul Schrader, writer of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, First Reformed and many more, shares his insights on filmmaking and why the story is the most important element. Learn all about moving between writing and directing, and discover how this legendary filmmaker remains responsible to no one.
Sponsored by The JJ Charitable Trust.
Listen to this talk on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/bafta/paul-sch...
Read the transcript on our website: www.bafta.org/media-centre/tr...
The Screenwriters' Lectures are presented as originally recorded. Some of the lectures may contain outdated comments or views which some listeners may find insensitive or offensive.
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[@jakewebber1737]

This is absolute gold. No screenwriting teacher will be as honest as Paul is.

[@simonlee8889]

Alejandro Inarritu and Guillermo de Toro are equally forthcoming and giving. There are some great talks they have given - Mexico is becoming a fantastic hothouse for real American film talent...

[@TheJonnyEnglish]

@@simonlee8889 Del Toro’s talk with the Coens is one of the best filmmaking conversations on KZbin

[@MorpheusOne]

@Jake Webber: Perhaps there is no screenwriting teacher as talented as Paul Schrader who is as difficult to understand. He stutters, stammers, exalahates & stumbles with his words & storytelling, in this lecture, in such a way that it is difficult to follow his meandering. The way that he sounds when he talks, from the sound alone, causes me to wonder if he is inebriated and/or dying of a stroke and/or taking a dump... He may be a brilliant screenwriter & director...but, he is a terrible speaker; at least in this lecture.

[@JarodRebuck]

He’s a gift

[@Mr.Monta77]

How do you factually know that no other screenwriter is as honest?

[@kylecredo]

Film school right here.

[@nandanachar5597]

@@coletakahashi6617 your comments are everywhere. You seem to be jelous of Schrader.

[@aniruddhagowda8072]

@@coletakahashi6617 hope you have a metaphor for your problems?

[@user-rg6ro1wl7o]

@@coletakahashi6617 you've never been to film school, I doubt you've been to high school. You suck...and so does your dad

[@4mIlr]

you son of a bitch Im in !

[@immasavagebro2845]

Cole Takahashi I think if you really accuse him of being a hack, you must respond with anything of substance instead of blabbers and envious bullshit

[@aengo]

He wrote a Brilliant & very underrated film in the early 1970s called 'Rolling Thunder' with Tommy Lee Jones. He deserves credit for lesser known films like that which most people haven't heard of

[@jonah19841012]

Paul's handwriting is amazing.

[@Br1an.J]

I think BAFTA'S disclaimer is spineless in the description of this video. No one listens to a lecture to have their feelings validated they watch to hopefully learn something.

[@balsakrkeljic6334]

This is amazing...and we have it for free?! Thanks Bafta! One of the best lectures thus far.

[@saiashwin26]

@@coletakahashi6617 What the fuck?

[@spenserdavis788]

@@coletakahashi6617 You missed his point. He's spent a lifetime creating incredible, singular films because he's intentionally avoiding making cookie-cutter films. "Why should Hollywood hire you to make a movie that other people in Hollywood can make?" is the right question, but his answer is more akin to "Because in your hands, it'll be a story delivered in a way that you and you alone can execute."

[@aniruddhagowda8072]

@@coletakahashi6617 few years from now, people are gonna be inspired by Paul Schrader and you won't be able to do anything about it because you were too busy complaining.

[@zodiac748]

I'm just inspired by this.

[@evanward3964]

Cole Takahashi Chill bro I like him

[@JarodRebuck]

I love Paul for being self-reflective, insightful, honest, and sincere. Im going through a personal crisis and hearing him pour out his soul is nothing short of inspiring. The human condition is obviously full of many inner and outer turmoils. I love his group/self-therapy approach to writing. Paul, you are a gift to humanity. Sincerely, thank you 🙏

[@gina.1]

This was an act of untold generosity... he shares his method and his life -- both without pretense.

[@haraldcarlsten6238]

This is freaking amazing. American Gigolo is one of my absolute favourite movies because of it's ambiguity

[@haraldcarlsten6238]

And Light Sleeper - also a favourite one. Very rewatchable... Not as ambigious though... I think rewatchability is the hallmark of a great film, as rereadability is for a book. I often think about movies - I can't see that movie again or read that book again because it is already consumed. But I can see Blade runner, American Gigolo and reread The Lady in the Lake again and again and again. Because the mystery of them are still open...

[@kindnessfirst9670]

He gave Springsteen the title "Born in the USA". It was a script he sent him. Bruce wrote the song "Light of Day" for him.

[@kindnessfirst9670]

@007 CM According to Bruce that's what happened. I don't think Bruce had read the script yet. He just liked the title and used it. Then he read the script he had been sent (requesting a new song) and wrote "Light of Day" for the film and the films title was changed. He sometimes performs "Light of Day" live.

[@spartan.falbion2761]

The Taxi Driver script is such a pleasure to read, but even a newbie scriptwriter will see that it's not "by the book". There are descriptions of things that cannot be shown on camera, and it would prob. be rejected today ... ...but this internal information is so useful, for keeping the reader interested nothing else.

[@user-vw6xp5nl6t]

This is invaluable. Thank you

[@screenwriterabdullahh.erak2778]

This is extraordinary and we are so lucky and blessed! Thanks for this Magnificent Master Class!

[@josefengelhardt2767]

Paul Schrader's Favorite Films are Citizen Kane (1941) The Conformist (1970) In the mood for Love (2000) Tokyo Story (1953) Pickpocket (1959) Vertigo (1958) And The Wild Bunch (1969)

[@Mr.Monta77]

All better than anything he wrote himself.

[@simpleman7203]

@@Mr.Monta77 damn bro all your comments about him are negative. Are you a hater? If you don't like his stuff it's ok, but this doesn't mean anything more than that

[@Mr.Monta77]

@@simpleman7203 Not sure what you refer to. His favorite films don’t rely on speculative violence that is the trademark of his work. I think many directors confuse story and tension with violence and brutality. You may be attracted to just that or not. Many people love violence in games and belive society and people will not be affected by the massive wall of violence and brutality that we present to our kids and adolescents. I believe it is harmful and that’s why I don’t like his movies.

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

Amazing talk. So glad I listened.

[@MyronDavismd]

This really s awesome to hear the thoughts and processes of a master storyteller. Thanks for posting this

[@27MH]

This is a fantastic insight into our craft. Thanks BAFTA!

[@evanward3964]

Fantastic! The minutes flew by.

[@komoleeray687]

Absolutely brilliant . I love this man. All I wanna do now is write a screenplay . Or at least try

[@Ryno87]

Only came across this vid today and I’ve watched the whole thing. So much valuable information to use in my own creative writing. I tip my hat to you BAFTA guru, I’m sure I will be revisiting this one.

[@varrakuda]

thank you for this.

[@BoakesJohn]

This is really helpful Great tips. Find the problem and the metaphor. Write for any actor. Find inspiration from imposed limitations. Great food for thought.

[@freezerjoe]

This is brilliant and incredibly entertaining

[@zombiesheep.whatsinyourhea9166]

Very kind generous spirit!

[@joujouman1000]

This is great!

[@josephinedonnelley4762]

I found this fascinating.

[@Mondabong]

Thank you so much for this.

[@howardkoor2796]

Sensational

[@deepankarranjan5577]

Brilliant Session. Learnt so much from this one.

[@jahnome]

I really want those American Gigolo outlines...one of my favourite movies.

[@MyTrueWonderfulSelf-rz9bm]

Great!

[@demetriusdion286]

Please read the Screenplay Taxi Drive, all Martin Scorsese had to do is follow it religiously. It was all in the script.

[@LadyMercutia]

I think DeNiro improvised the “Are you talkin’ to me?” bit, though.

[@peterpetrov4809]

1:15:19 ''Don't know I think it should be in color''. That laugh😂😂😂❤

[@4200Shields]

This guy is going to have a heartache before his finishes his first sentence

[@Valleybullish]

My hero.

[@mateostanley4387]

31:54 I play the masterclass in this moment randomly, it was just what i needed to hear

[@randysmith7045]

best screen writer in the world.

[@crappymcdick]

Ever heard of Christopher Nolan, kid?

[@randysmith7045]

@@crappymcdick Kid ? i am 60 . amd yes i have heard of him. 2nd best is Lawrence Kasdan

[@crappymcdick]

@@randysmith7045 Lawrence sucks, he makes female propaganda in my Star Wars movies!!!!

[@randysmith7045]

@@crappymcdick ahahahah YOUR star wars movies ? Empire is the best of all of the star wars films

[@crappymcdick]

@@randysmith7045 Prequels are by far the best, the world building is great! Also, Yoda jumps!

[@film_magician]

Puts up the paper on the board “you can see here...” not without a telescope. Someone get this guy a PowerPoint for this.

[@borrisbaggins5306]

hes so wholesome

[@Funnysterste]

The introduction sounded a bit like the speech of the priest during the wedding ceremony in "King of Comedy".

[@VolatileDisposition]

Valuable insight but he was struggling to breathe and it was making it difficult for me to breath at some point;-)

[@simpleman7203]

I wish we had classes, but it's basically a group therapy, so probably the fact that it were recorded would ruin intimacy and sincerity, also would be not fully ethical to watch it if you're not participating, but I would be hypocrite if not admit that it still would be quite spellbinding, really

[@ommeena07]

that's how it should be...on top all the information is free.

[@ladiesman218]

Can someone clarify the metaphor step?

[@crocodile442]

Wonderful and insightful video but why on earth did BAFTA make this man stand up of an hour?!

[@brianbozo2447]

Poor communication and anticipation. Maybe nobody thought to ask"Mr Schrader will you require a seat for the duration of your talk ? And Schrader could have replied"You talkin' to me! "

[@kingq3904]

@@brianbozo2447 lmao. Only those who've seen the movie will get it

[@James_Bowie]

Don't bash Robert McKee who wrote the book Story. It was Syd Field's book Screenplay that put so much emphasis on the three act structure. McKee's Story goes much deeper than that.

Only trust advice from actual working screenwriters, not people whose job is to sell screenwriting books.

[@Beraksekebon21]

Why no one seeing this vid?😦

[@reubencanningfinkel5922]

Cole is mad

[@reubencanningfinkel5922]

Cole is even more mad

[@reubencanningfinkel5922]

Ok. So what you are saying is that you are mad?

[@Biring1]

@@coletakahashi6617 Do you have anything better to do than to talk shit?

[@KoushikMuddu]

@@coletakahashi6617 good. You have found your problem. Not let's try finding a good metaphor. Any ideas?

[@praveenmishra430]

People have no idea how expensive is this if you have to pay

[@FilippoBelacchi]

Guys, I can't catch the words: what does he say? 1:08:32

[@DropTheGigawatt]

“I turned to Jerry [Bruckheimer] and said ‘Jerry I think maybe we went a little too far.’ “

[@Mr.Altavoz]

A genius

[@Mr.Monta77]

No he isn’t. Mozart and Shakespeare, Da Vinci and Einstein were. It’s just that you have a limited vocabulary and imagination. And even more limited understanding of the history of art.

[@johnnyoravec]

@@Mr.Monta77wrong

[@Mr.Monta77]

@@johnnyoravec Why is that wrong? Please educate me.

[@papichefitup]

Could of gave the legend a chair 😂😂

[@PyroNexus22]

Man, I love Paul Schrader, but he sounds like he can barely breathe

[@rezarajabi6206]

12:41

[@arzabael]

7:30

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Dirty laundry sells.

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

bit hard to listen to his speech but obviously a lot to say

[@naeeve]

Who are the 6 clummadummas that downvoted this free masterclass...

[@TheJonnyEnglish]

x1.25 speed

[@josephrohland546]

Paul's bedtime at 1:23:00.

[@MorpheusOne]

He stutters, stammers, exalahates & stumbles with his words & storytelling in such a way that it is difficult to follow his meandering. The way that he sounds when he talks, from the sound alone, it causes me to wonder if he is inebriated and/or dying of a stroke and/or taking a dump... He may be a brilliant screenwriter & director...but, he is a terrible speaker; at least in this lecture.

[@lucasa_0485]

You know he actually looks quite lucid here in instances. Maybe because he’s actually really interested in this, as is natural if you love your craft so much. But yeah, I agree completely. His mind seems to go much swifter than his speaking. Incredible how one can be a brilliant writer but such a… complicated speaker. His age doesn’t help either. I don’t think he really was like this.

[@RedTailss]

How mean people can be.

[@MorpheusOne]

@Red Tails: Do you think that Paul Schrader is behaving that way intentionally or unintentionally; on purpose, to be mean or because he is mean?

[@tertommy]

Schrader seems to be quite koo koo for cocoa puffs lately. He's willing to die COIVID-19 be damned to finish his latest movie.

[@mrdriscoll]

Stop coughing during a lecture is going on. Come on, stop disturbing people - If youre having persistent cough, get out.

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

what about him? also shutup man. they're human.