Richard Curtis | BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture Series

Richard Curtis discusses style, inspiration and creative control in this Screenwriters' Lecture from 2013.
Sponsored by The JJ Charitable Trust.
Listen to this talk on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/bafta/richard-...
Read the transcript on our website: static.bafta.org/files/richard...
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 Some of the lectures may contain outdated comments or views which some listeners may find insensitive or offensive.
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#BAFTA #RichardCurtis

[@hou3455]

I would like to let the British people know that as a Belgian, I admire them too because they have Richard Curtis. I love R. Curtis's films. I love his work. I wish you a long life, Mr Curtis!

[@martindouglass3248]

One of the best videos I’ve watched in a long time. Especially the introduction/lecture part with Richard Curtis.

[@clare.conservation98]

Absolutely love this screenwriter lecture series. So grateful I can learn from the best of them both online and almost 10 years on.

[@stefjames95]

Mr Bean is gold. Love actually is written so beautifully. Genius

[@lizziegsack]

what a lovely guy, totally true about things working out for different people. when i get started i will see what works for me, but these very talented folks telling me how they do what they do has being incredibly inspirational, helpful, guiding and thought provoking. I have a changed opinion on screen writing.. didn't really have one before saying that, so it has formed one! Thankyou BAFTA haha (like they say in the award cerenomy). Wow i love this industry so much really loved Susannah Grants lecture aswell top banana people

[@burlingtonfilms]

Thanks for posting. Keep up the good work.

[@scottnortontaylor2368]

There is so much valuable advice in this lecture.

[@samwallaceart288]

You know, when he brought up the point about characters just outright saying what the story of the movie, my mind immediately jumped to Notting Hill.

[@biscuimagalie7452]

i love this guy

[@embee3178]

very interesting indeed

[@binbagful]

If like me, your starting out on your very own first script. He does, in fact, give some very good pointers as to what makes a good film. Let's all face the fact that all the films he has made from Four weddings onwards have made him very famous. As well as Black Adder, and the very popular Vicar of Dibley. You cannot say that the people that put down bad remarks on here have not laughed at any of his work.

[@Shade23753]

BREVITY: THE SOUL OF WIT. You're gonna need to learn that!

[@oldfool666]

Its not about violence being more realistic than people being in love. Its about the momentum of the story and making sure that people are asking: "What happens next?" If you have a bunch of happy people who are in love and nothing goes wrong, well where is the story? There's nothing to be resolved anymore. Its interesting this comes up because those are some of the exact problems I had with the middle part of About Time.

[@ulyanasemyonkina3799]

to me the thing with About Time, and its middle specifically, was that it was about just being, just observing life and noticing every moment even if nothing major happens there. I felt like the rhythm of the movie actually reflected its message, or the way I understood its message. Somehow, I didn't find myself asking "What happens next?" :)

[@oliverford5367]

His three great movies (Four Weddings, Notting Hill and Love Actually) have conflict without violence. When he's gone more sci-fi (About Time, Yesterday) it's not worked as well

[@skash4u]

Thank you :)

[@SamuelDaram]

The interview starts at 17:35

[@Zinnie988]

Charismatic guy!

[@oliverford5367]

Curtis is the best at the heartwarming romcom, just as Sorkin is the best at the geniuses debating with facts and statistics and Tarantino is the best at gangsters.

[@MusicNT325]

29:26

[@SamuelDaram]

Richard Curtis comes on after 2:27 minutes.

[@2Sugarbears]

All I know for sure is: If Richard Curtis writes it and Bill Nighy is in it. I will pay to see it.

[@Matt-ve2xx]

Great talk - Interesting to see the lack of diversity in the audience members.

[@ESSECIFILMPRO]

shared facebook.com/4kworld/?ref=hl

[@Shade23753]

A BUNCH OF TRIGGERED LIBERAL IDIOTS SITTING SILENT WHEN HE COMMON SENSEDLY SAID CALL YOUR CHARACTERS BY THE RIGHT SEX.

[@roger8654]

He is so boring

[@rehnafayaz4984]

He is horrible

[@motioneccentrica]

You are horrible.

[@2Sugarbears]

I am so sorry you think that. I adore his work.