Ray Bradbury lectures on screenwriting

[@jamessorensen3447]

When I was 19 in 1976 Ray became my writing mentor. I found myself sobbing as I watched this because these are all the things we talked about. I've finally got a producer interested in a couple of my screenplays. I wish I could call Ray and talk to him. I miss him so much.

[@MrBretHampton]

James That's so nice to hear. I was lucky to meet him a couple of times and he really seemed to enjoy connecting with people. He helped out a friend who wanted to be a writer. He approached Ray after one of his talks at our college. Ray took him out to an expensive lunch, asked my friend to hand over some stories for him to read and sent them back with notes. He ended up becoming a professional writer. A film school colleague was camera on a short film based on one of Ray's stories. He gave the film rights free. How cool you made your film and he got to see it.

[@FriedEggsWithChips]

Golden advice at 2:22 and 11:33, to enrich yourself by reading around and diversify your output. Write short stories and poetry as well as screenplays and novels. Read around. It all helps.

[@NeilStevensFilms]

This is the best lecture I've ever heard about screenwriting or any kind of writing. I'm floored.

[@MrBretHampton]

i heard him talk another time at my college. You might want to see what other talks he did. I notice one here "An Evening with Ray Bradbury 2001"

[@dpresspro]

Wonderful. This is so unbelievably inspiring. Thank you so much for uploading this treasure.

[@MrBretHampton]

Yes, it was great hearing him speak in person. I was lucky enough to see him another time at my local college. Afterwards he spent time talking to many people. He actually took my friend's boyfriend out for lunch to discuss his writing and critiqued a few stories for him.

[@raaz202]

This is precious.. Thanks

[@MrBretHampton]

I enjoyed filming him and hearing his thoughts and enthusiasm for creating

[@appidydafoo]

8:10 - I've got a copy of The Smithsonian Collection he mentions here and - unsurprisingly - his citation is completely accurate. I would also recommend Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing," his advice is evergreen.

[@MrBretHampton]

That's great. I remember filming Ray like it was yesterday. I saw him speak another time and he helped a guy i knew start his writing career. One of my favorite writers, and people.

[@shanelaporte]

This is a real treasure. Is that really Syd Field sitting next to him? Wow, I hardly recognize him! Thanks for posting.

[@MrBretHampton]

Yes, that's back when we all had hair. Syd was great. I took a couple of classes from him there and it was amazing the people he could get to talk with us. I think Ray was one of the most approachable and no 'star attitude' unlike Harlan Ellison I heard once. BTW, my son's name is Shane. Are you any relation to Leo?

[@shanelaporte]

@@MrBretHampton I'm sure I'm related somehow, if we share the same last name! But no, I don't know him personally.

[@MrBretHampton]

@@shanelaporte Leo has a radio show/podcast "The Tech Guy". Very fun show about all things tech. What about you, what do you do?

[@rayspaulding1460]

Can't thank you enough for this! So great to see Ray predict the modern phone @21:15, and he probably never imagined the wealth of insight and knowledge available on that future device would also include this very interview. Any chance there is more to Part 2, or is this all there is? Thank you again!

[@MrBretHampton]

This was all I could find. It may be all I recorded as VHS tape back then was 20 bucks each. I don't remember how much was actually shot.

[@MrBretHampton]

That's all I had left. Sherwood Oaks reopened awhile back and they should have anything else as they recorded nearly everyone who spoke/taught there.

[@puneethwrites]

Bret Hampton hey Bret, did you shoot this? Amazing! Thank you for uploading.

[@joshuamcchristian5365]

Thank you so much for posting this

[@MrBretHampton]

My pleasure. I see you liked a Dvaid Lynch video. I shot an interview with his daughter Jennifer when she directed Boxing Helena. Would have like to meet him as well.

[@SavageBroadcast]

33:00 Huston impression for those looking.

[@jamessorensen3447]

I've always said that Bradbury distilled "Moby Dick" down to it's essence. Now I understand how he did it.

[@MrBretHampton]

Yes. I always remembered how he said that.

[@irish66]

I wonder what part he thought was the best part of as Moby Dick. For me it was Orson Welles delivering the sermon. After that I thought the film was somewhat of a let- down. One of the biggest problems for me was Gregory Peck. if Wikipedia is to believed, Peck Himself thought he was wrong for the role. Peck thought Houston should have played Ahab.

[@MrBretHampton]

Interesting perspective. That was a long time ago. What I remember most is Ray talking about how he finally felt he could write the film. "Call me Ishmael" he said. Feel like it was yesterday.

[@film_magician]

huh?

[@MrBretHampton]

What are you asking about? I shot the video so am happy to answer any questions

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

In Moby Dick he adds scenes at will, but complains when a director takes stuff out of his novel Fº 451 I like him when he's much older. Got talent though, but his ego is 4X as big here. Massive ego.

[@MrBretHampton]

I met him a couple of times as well as heard him speak. Didn't get the same impression. In fact, he helped a young writer I knew get his start plus he more than once gave away free the rights to make short films from some of his stories. Can you tell me where you saw the comments about F451?

[@jamessorensen3447]

Actually, he distilled Moby Dick down to its essence. Much better than the version that was so boring even Patrick Stewart couldn't save it.

[@jamessorensen3447]

@@MrBretHampton My friends and I made a film of "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl." Sent a copy to Ray and he liked it. We used some very primitive computer effects.

[@manlyduckling]

You are mistaking love and passion for ego.

[@rltremblay1074]

Then, I'm in love with his ego sir!😍