It’s All About Story And Nothing Else - UCLA Professor Richard Walter [FULL INTERVIEW]

[@ThatDirtyHippy]

I'm not a screenwriter, but I'm attempting to write my first novel and this interview was like an awakening on the craft. I've tried to listen to other writers, writers I really enjoy and think are fantastic, but they just aren't that interesting to listen to. This was gripping and I had to watch it all even though I intended to watch only a couple clips here or there. Thanks for the fantastic information, tremendous interview!!

[@josephkhalil8314]

What is your novel about ?

[@user-yb8vr2ip2t]

Agree. Excellent interviewee.

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

I loved what he said about story vs "ideas." The fact is, "What is an idea?" Well, it's ABCDEFG... ect. and by the time you're done explaining the "idea," you have actually told a story, and every nuance of that idea is just an expansion of that story. Also, throwing away. He's right. Writing is relatively easy, the real art is in throwing away, the same way a sculpture is created by throwing away the excess material.

[@jayv8068]

writing is not easy

[@Gabriel-se9el]

if your more worried about how your putting your idea down, don't even try. Idea is everything...unless you have no natural story telling ability

[@Gabriel-se9el]

Whats an idea?? A great idea triggers imagination, triggers a spark, a need to write, the energy, enthusiasm and mental imagery you'll need if you ever want to finish your first draft.

[@skylarboston8630]

instaBlaster...

[@bojanbuljan9041]

@@jayv8068 The golden ticket for a song, and for writing ol araund over and agen. Just look too pikcure's je, Doc Walter lol to look and looking agen soo deeple. Must bee in det lokation, or kn thet beeing. Thet is holy, Dady teyk kemick and Hamlet. Boring

[@joo_joo_eyeball]

I have been watching this over and over again over the last 5 years. It's amazing and I am not even a writer.

[@filmcourage]

Thank you for all the visits over the years!

[@jdfraed123]

Everyone is a writer my friend 😉

[@giuoco]

Yea this is better for non-writers. It’s more of a good story/narrative than it is helpful tips. If he actually had valuable advice on how to write great films/tv he would’ve written great films/tv. Sadly he’s just a talker nothing more

[@mattherman6189]

Aint' it amazing? It truly is.

[@TheRealOtakuEdits]

This guy has the best things to say on this channel so far.

[@chrisbonnett6783]

Take the reader on a thrill ride where they didn't expect to go.

[@MrChinchilla_hn]

Enough to make it an adventure.

[@bojanbuljan9041]

Enough to mame it aj adventure's.

[@film_magician]

This was amazing. Really great interview. I'm reading his latest book for the 100th time. It's an immensely helpful book for screenwriting. I'd love to meet him one day. It was really cool to see the whole interview in one sitting. Thanks Film Courage!

[@filmcourage]

Film Magician We are happy to know that you found the full interview worth the wait. And we certainly hope you have the chance to meet him. He was very kind to us both times we met with him.

[@film_magician]

Film Courage He seems like a really generous, smart and funny guy. I'm sure all your subscribers will be watching and re-watching this for all valuable information. Amazing interview. Good job

[@betacall9634]

I love how Film Courage interviews this lifelong screenwriting professor who says the key to success in screen writing is TIME and how you have to rewrite your screenplay 17 times over years and years. That's the KEY. Then Film Courage has another video interview on the right side with an African American writer titled, "How I Wrote My First Script In 3 Weeks And Sold It To A Hollywood Studio by Markus ". You Hollywood idiots crack me up:)))

[@thomaskubrak1576]

Would you recommend his book to any writer? Sounds like a solid read.. 100 times! It's gotta be good

[@user-yb8vr2ip2t]

This guy is GOOOOOOOOOOD!.....

[@tag1111]

Thank you Prof Richard Walter for giving your precious time and help a beginner from Brazil! Hope you plant more seeds all over online.

[@Gfp1995]

I learned more here then in my Screenwriting course last semester. Grrr.

[@MrChinchilla_hn]

Bad news for those teachers of the course.

[@michaeldean9338]

@@MrChinchilla_hn lol

[@EpicToroX3]

Learned a lot here too and not even in screen writing 🤠👌🏻

[@AlteredConditions]

Real Talk. I have gained valuable insight from Richard I’ve never heard anyone describe the mechanics of story writing so compellingly and so superbly. Bravo! Side note: I think he’s going to be an awesome Grandpa for his grandson. Congrats!

[@rmpeete]

Love this dude's candor, knowledge, and perspective!!!!!!!!!!

[@batman5224]

This is probably my favorite interview that Film Courage has done. I tend to not like what academics have to say about writing, but Walter comes off as insightful, ebullient, and relatable. You get a feeling that he really understands the writing process, which makes him fascinating to listen to.

[@dietsfreedietkitchen1793]

It's been three weeks that I have been watching this over and over every day, I love everything he says 👏👏 thank you

[@bobbyzion12]

He was spot on about the Coen Brothers movies.

[@ilmarinen79]

I'm envious to people who get professors like him. Thank you for this gift!

[@edwardnigma2744]

What I love about Richard, he's blunt, straightforward, he doesn't give you roses. Hard but simple truth

[@MiggsMultiple]

That first question could have been asked off camera beforehand....but on the other hand, his reply immediately made him seem like a really nice guy :)

[@mattherman6189]

Wow! Tremendous interview... Such wisdom. Every word in accord with my own thoughts and feelings on the subject. What a teacher! Thanks for this. What a dream to have this guy as a teacher. If you do, you're really lucky. I'm in UCLAx, taking a short film screenwriting class. Loving it. Cranked out 15 little scripts already .🙂 But this guy... Wow, tremendous! (did I say that already?)

[@jorgesamsonblaires3596]

Loved his insight about Inherent Vice... more like "inherent snooze" lol

[@phillipwesson8785]

This was such an endearing and affirming watch. Next time I'm freaking out, because everything I’ve written is unreadable drivel, this will be my go-to, instant karma. Thanks indeed.

[@videokingstt6115]

i thought i would watch 10 minutes and get back to writing, but it was like watching a movie. Thanks Richard and Film Courage everything made sense, but like the airplane ride it was boring. Back to writing.

[@jasmeetk0]

Video Kings TT Good one.

[@kingkhalid7638]

I have been writing for over a year now and watching this interview definitely helped me as a writer thanks

[@jacquelinestigman3273]

Thank you Richard, for your time. Enjoyable and meant to be for me as I needed to hear all of it and the last re trimming, more than anything right now. Thanks you again!

[@ahmadtdk98]

Every second of this was GOLD to me and am 100% sure that am gonna get back to this in the future many many times

[@Titan_rebelyell]

This was truly wonderful from start to finish. I will cherish his advice for a long time. Much to think about. Thank you.

[@gc2161]

He starts the interview with a story; I am sold.

[@hi-hk2zv]

thank you so much for this channel, its a late comment but just wanted to express my thanks!! so helpful

[@filmcourage]

Never too late. Cheers!

[@exquisitecorpse4917]

If you haven't read Walter's book, it is a wonderful resource.

[@nealywilly6359]

Anyone else actually interesting in hearing him talk about his day? (re: "real life is boring") I like listening to him. Okay, it would get boring eventually, but I made it through the whole thing entertained.

[@lisengel2498]

Inspiring talk and fun to listen to his thoughts about the idea as not enough. Of course not. Art has to embrace both the what and the how and to open into the wonder of life

[@somethingintheair5373]

Is this Regina Meredith conducting the interview? It's her voice and style (and talking about indigo children makes me certain it's her). She asks the perfect questions and knows how to listen! This is actually great art - the art of interviewing!

[@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

I agree about the art of interviewing. Not everybody is good at it.

[@Biggymrat_jb]

Love this.. writing is what you Create .. Art that will last forever . I’m a writer and I’m grateful for all the writers before me.

[@aps-pictures9335]

Really interesting interview, a lot of well thought out perspectives and he kept it entertaining, this was great.

[@UserOfTheUnknown]

As a budding screenwriter myself, this is very helpful.

[@taylorj6177]

Man, love this guy.... Love listening to him, so brilliant. I'm going back to school lol

[@ThePrecipice66]

I could listen to Professor Richard all day. Like a breath of fresh air. He has actual, real, useful things to say about writing. No BS. No click-baity gimmicks. I see a lot of these '21 things you must do when writing a book' or '10 things that you must not do' and they're pretty much all horseshit. I'll say it again, horseshit. Writing is not like a paint by numbers picture. Not only do these lists of rules run the risk of stifling creativity and creating a swathe of homogeneous rubbish, they can tie writers up in knots ensuring they've tick everything off these ridiculous lists.

[@everynewdayisablessing8509]

The best moment for me is around 56:00:00 "The situations define the character. [...] Stay open to the surprises. [...] Your characters are going to surprise you. [...] If it runs off the rails a little bit, that's great. Go with it and see where it will take you. [...] Let be surprised, otherwise it will become too intellectual, it becomes heady. We need our heads, we need our intellect, but not in the movie theatre. That's a place where we live not in the head but in the heart, in the belly, in the groin. It's not about understanding and knowing, it's about feeling, it's about passion." professor of screenwriting, Richard Walter.

[@pennywiseetc3020]

Inherent Vice ironically is somewhat improvised dialog but very deeply based on a novel by one of the great writers of all time.

[@risehoo7634]

vow. just got lost and ended up watching this clip. never wrote a comment on youtube before; this was probably the most interesting interview ever!

[@filmcourage]

That's pretty awesome. We thank the powers that be that helped you discover this interview. Also happy to receive your first YT comment.

[@LeonardoDali40]

this is some of the best advice I've found so far; good stuff.

[@filmcourage]

+Tattoo Artist/Writer Sean Price Great to hear, where else have you been looking?

[@adamaugust]

Amazing guy. Thanks for the interview!

[@howardkoor2796]

Richard is so insightful, helpful, and positive.

[@derekk2708]

Another great interview from F.C. ; )

[@philbertmill2]

So much wisdom, thank you!!!!!

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Loved this entire interview. The man is an incredible interview. Thank you so much!

[@filmcourage]

We love Richard Walter. Grateful for our two visits with him.

[@LeChatsMother]

What an incredibly interesting interview. Fascinating man. Excellent and inspiring. Thank you!

[@floccinaucinihilipilifications]

Thanks for this interview

[@hebersandoval6485]

What a mind with such a gift in teaching and guidance

[@brittonroberts6968]

"The Coen Brothers for example... and I'm not a fan." Jaw drops

[@brittonroberts6968]

+Britton Roberts BTW Not saying this as a rebuke of Professor Walter, he of course has no obligation to like the Coen Brothers. I was just surprised that he used them as an example. A wonderful interview. Insightful and generous.

[@glassjaw2007]

i wanted to punch him, but then i remembered he´s a human, and the Coens are GOD, and humans sometimes hate GOD which is permissible, great interview though.

[@TheKrazyLobster]

Personally, I'm not a fan as well. The only thing I like by them is No Country for Old Men.

[@seanramsdell4172]

I love em

[@retardedvaxxedliberal]

Fargo was one of the greatest screenplays ever written!

[@kyleashley]

wow..just realized ive had his book for ages, can open it anywhere for inspiration and heart felt encouragement, instead of the trend toward battering the reader with rules and doom. Neat

[@TrustYouMe]

This is great advice, but ideas aren't just underdeveloped stories. They are a premise; the reason for telling the story. Ideas are not worthless, they are the driving force. A good story without an applicable idea (external validity) is truly useless. Maybe there is a misunderstanding of what an 'idea' is in his course.

[@thomaskubrak1576]

Powerful Stuff. I like how explains how using the first name depends on the environment Love it

[@matthewakian2]

This guy is really insightful into what it really takes to write a screenplay.

[@moviemanwill]

Interviewer is in love with the concept of natural/raw talent and he keeps devaluing that. Interviewer should listen to him.

[@trentbell2718]

"indigo children"

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

I wouldn’t assume that. For all we know she presses that question because so many viewers/writers/people over emphasize “innate” ability

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

Today I find amazing Art here on KZbin and in Videogames, as crazy as that might sound. Before we needed to go to museums and other curated spaces to find the best artists. Today in the digital era the mediums are different. Many artists have switched from oil and canvas to photoshop and a pad. Many storytellers are creating incredible virtual worlds and stories to be played by the protagonists/players. It is a different world than it was 30 40 years ago.

[@4rjohny5]

thank you Mr. Walter :) great interview about how important Story is.

[@lonnienichols3392]

It's seldom I watch anything this long, but I found the man thoroughly fascinating. Goes to his statement to not be boring... in this case through the aid of making a point about storytelling through the use of storytelling. And after watching, I revisited my script that I will soon shoot once I secure personal funding. And as he stated that a movie doesn't have to have sex and violence to be successful, as long as it is interesting, I felt relieved since there is sexual innuendo in my movie but no violence. Maybe someone has written about this before, but I would like to see Professor Walter, Richard, address the art of writing in a way to achieve a good story told in a way that allows low-budget shooting of the story. I think I have achieved this through the use of dialog (talk is cheap... to shoot '-) Maybe others could benefit from this writing tool.

[@Ozgipsy]

Wow, that’s a real cinematic voice

[@The-Beaten-Saint]

I effing love Bernie.

[@BlySS93]

I don't like Communists. OOOH, you mean the movie? Yes, it is incredible.

[@thomaskubrak1576]

Bernie.

[@rashmika9742]

Thanks for the valuable and interesting perceptions you shared.

[@sumikosun]

I agree about the story. This is coming from a perspective i think which considers the perception of the audience. After all, the storyteller and the audience are both human. For example, a great "STORY" like Citizen Kane, is always placed on top of most important and best films.

[@robertwiegman1]

GREAT point that the idea,, i.e. the premise/logline, if that's good that's all you have. It's the Acts, the phases, the scenes. A good movie is all good scenes and no bad scenes. Got some great scenes in it as well then it's a very good script. Multiple to many great scenes, it's a classic. So simple.

[@adambirch6466]

Every time I start thinking I don't have enough time to write I remember Diana Gabaldon. She wrote her first novel working a full-time job, and a part-time freelance job, with three kids under the age of six. If she found time to write, anybody can find time to write.

[@lukeyolives3300]

"People aren't going to remember 'The Hunger Games', they're going to remember..." forgets the name of 'The Imitation Game'

[@taylorj6177]

Imitation game sucked lol.

[@fredlifsitz7411]

Fabulous and informative. Thank you!!!

[@mycatsheenacashappid4240]

I really enjoyed this podcast. February 6th, 2021.

[@filmcourage]

Good find!

[@Thesolidcreative]

"trafficking your own imagination" so good

[@kevinscottbailey8335]

I'm so glad this man never got ahold of Joel and Ethan Coen early in their careers

[@barter56]

I’ve taught in high school, and special education. I agree with and love the take on authority. I’m also an indigo child 👶🏻 😁

[@pinkhat4510]

I could really use the wisdom of this Master of Story for an Adaptation I'm working with , with an author.

[@BillZebubproductions]

It's hard to take a writing instructor seriously when he uses words like "stupider" and "lousy," and when he warns about boring content in movies but spends ten minutes explaining why students are on a first-name basis with instructors, or citing how a student was accepted after cajoling him rather than on merit, but I found some of the interview helpful.

[@Gabriel-se9el]

he's a walking defensive mechanism, constantly trying to justify himself and his opinions.

[@Gabriel-se9el]

he's good to listen to though, i'm sure he's got some good points as well.

[@fionna5342]

lol this guy is fun. thanks for sharing his wisdom and insights

[@robertwiegman1]

Awesome professor!!

[@blakebard]

Great interview. Although I love the Coen Brothers.

[@Newsky79]

Wow this interview is priceless! Thank you for posting this :) :) :)

[@julialeite6923]

The one thing keeping someone from achieving his potential in screen writing could be as simple a thing as being unable to type or at the least hating to type. Also having people hack one's devices for ideas. Some might prefer to analyze or review. Not much typing.

[@breebilegdemberel1515]

wow, i love him. so entertaining

[@prafullavyas7649]

Great video. Best advice for writers.

[@sarahmooreable]

What a well-spoken man.

[@taylorj6177]

Got DAMN I miss being in College.

[@Bharat_motivates]

Don't bring this feeling into reality.

[@michtierradetalentos]

I'm scriptwriter and have more than 25 scripts done i always like the writing of stories

[@aaronpoems7755]

Interesting insight. :)

[@oilda1926]

Excellent!

[@trumcaku]

Is a pedagogical approach to cinematography. A very good and economic one if you are teaching to hundreds of graduates a year in a factory-like business model such as the university. But it has nothing to do with the real cinematography, as image- and not-text based representation of ideas. Like Peter Greenaway, Stanley Cubrick, Wes Anderson, D. Lynch, or even the Coen Brothers define it. After listening to this very entertaining interview, I read the recommended book from Pressfield. That shows me what sort of books Professor Walter enjoys; but let's not talk about personal preferences (Breaking bad!). Folks, the real inspiration comes from reading good books and watching good movies. Better be a good consumer, than a bad producer...

[@Abayarde718]

This was amazing. I so appreciate it!

[@filmcourage]

Abayarde718 Cheers!

[@mgu1N1n1]

Very happy to not be in Arts Academia...endless meetings with mediocre persons nitpicking about their retirement and parking spots...sad individuals NOT making art.

[@anavonrebeur6121]

It begins at 13:45 . He admires Hamlet character and his story : what he does and what he says. No to be boring Is the first goal.

[@tonybulmer6365]

Inspiring.

[@MisterG2323]

I love this. At around the 16m. mark, he starts talking about what is commonly known as Sturgeon's Revelation: 90% of everything is crud. How true!

[@desirabbit6869]

Ray Bradbury seemed to really enjoy writing. I think it's possible to be a professional and retain a childlike exuberance; it's just rare.

[@ummagumma00]

Great upload. Thanks!

[@randyshamlian194]

Screenwriting is certainly a seductive milieu. I really appreciate the professor's tipping of the hat about writing a novel in lieu of a script. The upside, given that one's novel is published...or not, is that it offers a potential entree into Hollywood filmaking. Case in point: Rex Picket optioned the film rights to Sideways prior to it being published, which endured many rejections from publishers. As it turned out, the novel was published after the film was produced. Writing can be such a harsh mistress.

[@jacquelinestigman3273]

I'm loving this, but The War of Art is 192 pages.

[@joeyfotofr]

"I don't want a concept. I want a story." Not bad...jt FYI: The start of the "Edison invented the light-bulb" metaphor can be extended to make an even better model for writing. Thomas Edison did not invent the idea of the lightbulb. Lots of people were working on the IDEA of an electric lightbulb. Edison's lab tested (if I remember the number correctly) 11,000 different materials for the filament of the lightbulb, before he got one that light up and lasted. Isn't that really the story of writing?

[@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

I only write picture books but I like to watch videos about screenwriting, there's always sth cool to learn. A screenplay and picture book manuscript come alive with pictures, maybe that's why I find it helpful, there's a common ground. You can see wisdom on his face so I clicked. The best people to learn from are the older ones who have been there, done that... I agree with him about the ideas not being the most important. Sometimes I would buy a book based on the great idea/tagline and I would be disappointed with the contents ---> execution of that idea and I would say to my husband " this could have been good if executed better because the idea was interesting." Yet you can come across "boring idea" but executed so well that you will love it ( book or movie). I have a great idea for an adult novel/movie but it is not my thing to write for adults so what is it worth? A great idea is only great if you can apply it well and then you have a great story people love.

[@ryanh5239]

Wow. Insightful.

[@master2002h]

Wow! He talks alot even for an interview! But nice man and great mind of story 👍🏻

[@DafineDesign]

This was great, thanks !

[@TheKrazyLobster]

What a golden voice O.o

[@YOUNGANDTHERESTOFUS]

thanks

[@theesotericgenius8631]

very interesting, especially about the indigos, I am submitting some scripts via Inktip

[@TimDax]

thank you for posting. enjoyed. :)

[@filmcourage]

***** Thanks Tim!