The Writer Speaks: William Goldman

Two time Academy Award winning screenwriter William Goldman talks about his career and his life. Filmed on May 27, 2010. Interviewed by Michael WInship for the WGF.
#WilliamGoldman #screenwriter #screenwriting

[@larkmacallan4257]

absolutely essential for all writers out there. you're lucky to live in an age where this is at your fingertips.

[@michaelmcdonagh2646]

I went up to NYC back in November 2009, along with several copies of my second screenplay-also with me, I carried addresses of at least ten agencies. Anyway, the last screenplay I had left in my backpack was assigned for a Mr. Willam Goldman. It was late in the day, so I mailed my last copy to an address on 5th avenue. A week later, I’m back in Virginia and I’m driving home when my cell phone goes off. I picked it up and I hear: “Did you send me a screenplay?” Long story...the individual asking me the question was William Goldman. He was very nice but he told me because of legal issues and lawyers etc etc etc that he wouldn’t be able to read my work. Again, he was very kind and respectful and at the end of our very brief conversation - he wished me luck. It was his home phone number- I saved the number for a time but I decided to delete it- I guess out of respect. I always wondered-because he never sent it back to me - if he decided one rainy day to end up reading it. 🤔 But that’s my three minutes with the greatest screenwriter of all time. R.I.P., Sir!

[@advancedraymondology2914]

Great story, Michael. Paul is wrong. I've heard the legal thing before. It's the same with songwriters, my uncle told me. He was living in Nashville, tried giving a demo to some known people, who said they couldn't accept unsolicited demos because people could then turn around and claim plagiarism if they ever penned something similar. I'm sure there are cases of writers and musicians saying fuck it and reading/listening anyway, but the legal-thing is a thing. And Paul, dude, can you imagine how many people have sent him stuff? "The least he could have done..." You kidding me, dude? Are you trying to be a writer? Man, are you ever gonna be pissed. Nobody helps unknown writers. William Goldman didn't HAVE to do anything. What he did do was cool as fuck, if you ask me. I tried writing another, more successful writer before. We're both Filipino-American, both interested in the way Asian males are portrayed as non-sexual in American books and films. I figured, hey, this guy will be DYING to help me, the kind of stuff I write. Haha.. He. Couldn't. Have. Cared. Less. I'm embarrassed about it now, but I was very annoyed at the time. I waited a couple months and sent another "hey, did you get the first letter" letter and, when he didn't respond to that one either, I wrote a third one, calling him a fraud who didn't care at all about about how Asian men are portrayed, just so long as he got to be the person talking about it. Guess what? THAT one he answered, haha, basically telling me that wasn't the way to win friends in this business. I apologized for my tone, but said I didn't need or want his help, I'd make it on my own. The really funny part is he wasn't even offering his help, just chastising me for chastising him, haha. Anyway, I've managed to get some stories and poems published. It's uphill being a politically incorrect writer, even for a minority. They only want the "proper" attitudes from minorities. If you're critical of feminism or show any anti-sjw leanings, you can literally almost hear the wall going up, haha. But I'm getting there, slowly, on my own terms, with zero help from whatshisface. At least Michael has a cool story. Mine's just embarrassing.

[@scarlet8078]

I'm a corporate lawyer in NYC and yes, what he told you is true. It is nice that he called to explain it to you. Most studios and production companies follow legal advice and return the mail to the sender unopened.

[@kellysleep4633]

Paul Mina Stor

[@joedellaselva1251]

8:39 Explains why he took the time to speak with you. As well as 1:31:47

[@therealGP]

@@advancedraymondology2914 based on this reply I'd be interested in reading your writing. I mean, I aint "anybody" in the biz who could advance your career or anything. Just saying... I'd bet your shit's cool !!

[@SuperMedusa85]

So pleased I came across this! I am 32 this year and when Bill said he didn't start until he was 33, that gave me so much hope!!

[@kennethbrady]

And one of America's greatest writers, Henry Miller, didn't really find his voice until his late 30's, early 40's. So...it's never ever too late.

[@anthonyryan9954]

@@kennethbrady and Walter Mosley first book at 34

[@Lark572]

I got my big break at 41. Bukowski got his around 50. Who cares? Go to work! :)

[@Flyest90]

I just turned 31 this gave me hope as well 😂

[@achristianson4059]

why? lol why does it take someone else's milestone to validate your timing. If he said 15 would you think it was too late, and if he said 60 would you feel different. I dont understand why people let other peoples stuff have an impact on who or what

[@anguspritchard6407]

“My father was in the clothing business and my mother was his wife.”

[@-elchoya9832]

loved his his sreenwriting in HARPER 1966

[@Terrificguyonline]

I could listen to this Gentleman all evening.

[@damianbegley]

William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade is the best book I've ever read about screenwriting. And it's not even about screenwriting.

[@goldbrick2563]

Whats it about?

[@josephgrimes3886]

nobody knows. anything@@goldbrick2563

[@RakeshKumar-yc8kg]

More of a memoir.

[@damianbegley]

@@RakeshKumar-yc8kg Yes! But if you read between the lines, it's as much about screenwriting. That's what I got out of it. Excellent writer: novels, screenplays, essays, etc.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Write something you care about" yes ...very wise 🧠🙏

[@fellowcitizen]

4:46 "When I first heard of film schools: I thought it was the stupidest fxxken idea I'd ever heard of."

[@yveslavandier7475]

Then he says : "I took a writing course". And later : "I became a teacher". Maybe learning the writer's craft is not such a bad idea.

[@gothxm]

@@yveslavandier7475 dont think that's what he was getting at and also those events are out of order. The film schools proliferating was probably way after his education. But he also said that movies were not important in his younger years. There's a lot of gold here but there's also a limit to his knowledge. An almost jaded refusal to continue on with the hollywood of today. Still a great source of information. He knows his stuff well and understands hollywood.

[@jansmiths8629]

where have all the gr8 writers gone... goldman had some terrific/awesome scripts. live well and long...

[@andyw9255]

Some great writers are diligent editors, and some great writers are born raconteurs. I don't know what his editing skills were like, but the way he rattles off his history in this video suggests his first drafts were good enough to publish. What a beautiful, eloquent mind.

[@ShunyamNiketana]

It makes me wonder why he failed so often as a writing student.

[@citizen1163]

@@ShunyamNiketana Says much about WG that he persevered where many would've given up. I also think many students are let down by so called educators.

[@Mooza1]

This interview is from 2010 and I can't believe how right he was especially now in 2023. What a genius

[@angusorvid8840]

I write novels and occasionally for screen, and Goldman is spot on about everything. I recommend reading everything you can find by him, from Adventures in the Screen Trade to Magic. Brilliant writer. Like Elmore Leonard, he knew where his strengths lay and focused upon them like a laser. Had a phenomenal career.

[@jamesblumenthal9799]

Cliche, but you took the words out of my mouth. Well said.

[@MrJimmy1953]

Brilliant writer and human being. Thank you Mr Goldman for your films.

[@ThePAkidd]

This video ran for an hour and a half and I hated to see it end. Goldman is just flat out interesting as hell. And funny as hell too (his use of profanity is a work of art in itself). You get the feeling there's not one ounce of bullshit in anything he says because it would be below him to embellish a story. I think its mentioned that the interview was done in 2010. That would have made him 79 years old. If I live to be 79 I hope I'm half as sharp as he is at that age.

[@sdkelmaruecan2907]

I love his comment on Robert McKee, I've noticed that many screenwriting 'gurus', as talented and skillful as they are, never wrote something succesful. Not that it diminishes their quality as experts in writing, but it does undermine a little bit of credibility when they give advice. However, I would listen any day to William Goldeman, Robert Towne, Charlie Kaufman or Billy Wilder because I know these guys achieved something on the field of practice (sorry for the understatement) and yes, they know what they're talking about.

[@NuclearSiege]

1:02:40 "Maybe 8 people on earth know I had a shitty experience on that movie because I wrote about it in a book." LOL what a badass. Humble.

[@hankerino]

Love this mans candor and experience. respect RIP

[@rayballinger1848]

I wish he lived next door to me. Thank's to everybody involved in this production, especially Mr. Goldman.

[@lokeydaniel]

THis fellows writers commentary on THE PRINCESS BRIDE is the best film commentary I have ever listened to.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Everything begins with the script" 👍

[@laurentvachaud4438]

He was so great. I was lucky to meet him once when I was younger. I'll never forget it.

[@richardhrpenn194]

This man's candidness is so refreshing. His critique of himself and others is very enlightening and informational. There are many good little tips in this interview for any writer.

[@headfella]

For those individuals wanting more detail, I highly recommend Mr. Goldman's book "Adventures in the Screen Trade". Your local library shud have a copy. It's somewhat dated (1983), but still an engrossing read. I highly recommend it for anyone who is remotely interested in the way Hollywood makes movies. Chris in Winnipeg Canada.

[@brittmichaelian]

I love this guy. Total straight shooter. Great vocabulary. Awesome interview!

[@steveseguin5249]

His response to his feeling about film schools when they first came around is priceless

[@leighgate2]

William Goldman. Know his work but never heard him speak or remember ever seeing him before. Like his no BS personality. Great interview. Was hoping he would talk more about Olivier and MARATHON MAN. Didn't know Olivier had been so sick before he played the evil Nazi. Hoffman is really good in the movie but Olivier is brilliant.

[@mphlohi]

You were a marvelous talent William Goldman, will always appreciate your work, enjoy heaven.

[@Lark572]

First step in being a screenwriter is watching this video. This is coming from a screenwriter. Be thankful as hell that you get this much wisdom for free.

[@deborist]

I will never, ever forget "Boys and Girls Together". I am going to the Camarillo library today and check the book out and re read it, certainly my perspective has changed since 1964! I love you WIlliam!

[@stuartfitzsimons2786]

Great interview with a humble and wildly successful writer. Thank you!

[@willemverheij3412]

Great interview, I like how he is not beating around the bush and really saying it like it is. He has had great successes but seems quite down to earth which is refreshing.

[@thepakidd5647]

R.I.P. Bill. You were one of a kind. Now reunited with Newman. Adios.

[@advancedraymondology2914]

He died? Shit. I've been watching this at least a couple times a year for years. Had no idea he died recently. I knew he was very old. Goodbye, Bill. I wish you'd written more actual novels. The Princess Bride is so, so, soooo much better than the movie. Books usually are, but in this case there's a cavern in terms of quality between them if you ask me. The movie was a cute little film, kind of overrated, but the book was a masterpiece. Fuck it: the movie sucks, Reiner sucks, read the book.

[@kpm3983]

one of the best conversations

[@TomRipley7350]

You always know where you stand with guys like WG. He doesn't talk bullshit and doesn't care to hear it. Great respect for the guy.

[@whogoderetedigo52]

A big thank you for this upload. Love his writing and his screen work.

[@whatisrealknowtheformula6137]

Thank you so much for posting this.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

thank u for these interviews fascinating

[@donbrennan4993]

What a fascinating interview.

[@sprafa]

Brilliant interview! Please do more of these.

[@craigclyde5757]

What a great interview! Never thought I'd get to hear it.

[@TagCavello]

Thank you for posting this. I watch it all the time.

[@vplezz]

Just incredible humility!!!

[@christopherphillips3733]

Great interview...

[@thecanberean]

Absolute Legend. Thanks heaps for this. I could listen to him all day and night. Simply sublime. Cheers.

[@annelower]

Beautiful, candid portrait. Thank you.

[@mattschuster3754]

What an extraordinary man and interview! I could not stop and had to rerun several times to soak it all in... Thank you!

[@mrshoppyhat]

Love William Goldman!

[@RayFromLUCKYSHADOW]

This was great. I'm sure I'll watch it again and again.

[@Raul61233]

So many thanks for uploading this interview, I have greatly admired Goldman for many years and I finally, fully understand why.

[@F3ND1MUS]

You spark so much joy in my life.

[@MrTamendez]

This dude is awesome. Has me rolling. My kinda guy.

[@embee3178]

what a fantastic interview, just totally engrossing, as with his books

[@SamuelDaram]

This extended interview with the great William Goldman is a wonderful treat. Thank you so much to the 'WGFoundation' for this which is a semester's worth of wisdom at a screenwriting course.

[@iFreeThink]

I love watching those videos. It's what we feel everyday.

[@AllanGildea]

Superb, thanks!

[@jacknapyer]

one of my favorite interviews of all time.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Ed O'Neill's great Emmytvlegend interview was top notch too. Very compelling, fun and insightful to watch.

[@susanschaffner4422]

Fabulous interview, Goldman the quintessential screenwriter and good guy.

[@1952andysimpson]

Well I read 'Adventures in the Screen Trade' when it first came out and really enjoyed it. He seemed to have the ability to bring a script alive - particularly in the case of 'Butch and Sundance'. He appears to be a master of simple one liners, for instance: 'When were done, if I'm dead, kill him!' 'Love to' etc. A brilliant reversal - and would anyone have actually said that in those days? I've had two books published but they don't approach the simplicity and directness that Goldman has produced.

[@martinmcglone8456]

very enjoyable and informative, thanks for posting

[@howardkoor9365]

Good interview. Thank you 🙏

[@LibraryInTheAttic]

Very inspirational! No ego, just talking about what he does, and how he came to be. With a all the advice he can squeeze in as well.

[@mctonedef]

What an amazing talent, and so full of humility. You are a legend, Mr. Goldman. Thank you for your influence on my life. You're an inspiration.

[@timmyarcher7036]

Great video, fascinating guy, great writer, all good.

[@PHASES_STUDIO]

What an amazing life story he has, such an inspiration.

[@tabletalk33]

Wonderful interview, very valuable anecdotes and memories for aspiring writers. I may even have to watch this again for details I missed or for things I didn't get. Thank you, William Goldman!

[@apocalypseplough8089]

This was fascinating to listen to.

[@tomjones2348]

I just stumbled onto this interview. Wow....what a wealth of interesting information. Excellent interviewer too.

[@roryarthairyfart1459]

His books about Hollywood are awesome so far I read adventures in the screen trade and which lie did I tell

[@pigletsmom]

Wow, this is interview is so honest. He does not pull any punches. He's the real deal. Thanks for posting this candid interview of a great man and writer. Nice to see someone in Hollywood not be affected, or create a false persona for themselves.

[@andyok3625]

Fantastic interview with an excellent writer. This was the first one in the series I picked out. Now for the Billy Wilder.

[@valentinebonnaire9877]

It's very refreshing to listen to you, Mr. Goldman. Thank you.

[@valentinebonnaire9877]

Poet, I'm going to make Midnight Suede available for you? I Have a few tales I think you might like... in a little collection maybe. Soon.

[@taylorMFilms]

Goldman. right to the gut inside of minutes. This is an authentic artist and honest man. Gold. Man.

[@CaminoAir]

Could give encouragement to any writer who thinks they're unsuccessful and going to remain the same. A lot of writers who went on to become very famous were initially rejected (Alistair MacLean for another example). I've read anything written by Goldman that I could find and he's probably my single favourite writer. Very smart and a lot of common sense.

[@jacquelinestigman3273]

I love how Mr. Goldman speaks. So calm. A great story teller. Stupid courage! Yes, wonderful and moving. I happened upon this video by chance. So helpful and interesting.

[@whatinthewerld]

this guy has now been added as the answer (for me) to that question "who is the person you would most like to have lunch with?", this guy is probably the most interesting person I have listened to in years!! thank you for posting this

[@donhicks5370]

Interesting story teller , and great interviewer simple direct questions and lets him tell his story .

[@January.]

*storyteller

[@CoolLoon2]

Thank you!

[@mssmith9227]

Fascinating and deeply genuine

[@stuartrankin4851]

great stuff. such an interesting guy.

[@slateriverpress]

A wonderful interview. I just wish the others in this series had as much traffic.

[@onenewworldmonkey]

How unique and insightful.

[@stevebarber8501]

What a great interview. The interviewer isn't shown and he let's the guy talk. The way I like it. Focus on the person being interviewed and stay out of the way.

[@MARVINsEYES]

I do really love him for his screenplay. Sometimes one's work is untimely judged by inappropriate person under a wrong time. This apply to average or well- written works ! He's a mirror for all anyway!

[@ThomasJRyan-ct3dv]

Great interview, this is what I love about writers!

[@winomaster]

+Thomas J. Ryan Directors are also very good interview subjects. They have to be smart like writers, but oftentimes they are very worldly too.

[@kendallrivers1119]

What's amazing is this man has made multiple classic and iconic films and won awards just for his scripts alone and yet... He seems no different than a neighbor or guy you run into at a bar. Very no bullshit, down to earth dude. Like Stephen Cannell.

[@chlesueur]

What an unbelievably fucking bad ass.

[@julianterris]

Fabulous interview.

[@daveco1270]

Goldman is the best. Those opening pages of Butch Cassidy are so good. I love that he says f-ck a lot... and that he'd rather be dead than be a director. I feel the same way, directing seems really hard and stressful.

[@adrianlackey5107]

This man essentially invented the "Spec Script". A well deserved Oscar with *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* ("Rules??! In a knife fight??!") George Roy Hill should have directed more of his scripts.

[@crisguia]

I learned a lot from this. Thank you so much for this upload! I've enjoyed so many of his movies, esp. Butch Cassidy, The Great Waldo Pepper and The Princess Bride. He said once that he wished he knew why some films worked and others didn't. He was especially sad and unsure why The Great Waldo Pepper and A Bridge Too Far weren't hits. My idea is that the first had unlikable and unrelateable lead characters, and the second film showed America losing, a sore spot just after the Vietnam war.

[@Jeremysepicreads]

The princess Bride is by far William Goldman's best work

[@Lylodile]

He agrees with you :P

[@filmfelineadmin]

Jeremysepicreads :D I still don't believe in ROUS!

[@melodylbeattie]

Great storyteller -- in his work and this interview.

[@bluecollarlit]

Melody Beattie, I think I have a book you wrote - if you're the same person.

[@JonathanEBoyd]

very interesting interview

[@bucktownamericana]

Very worth listening to.

[@markothwriter]

I talked to William Goldman one time and he gave me the advice of "Don't give a crap what anyone else thinks".

[@PianoforSadness]

what a great and cool individual.

[@winomaster]

I really admire Mr. Goldman, so I studied him some and came up with the following. We might quibble on which of his films were essential successes, because I went thru them quickly. But this is what I came up with: 1) In the 1960’s, ignoring his first film where he came in as a script doctor, He produced two scripts. one was an adaption, one an original, both hits. One was Butch Cassidy. 2) 6 films produced during the 70’s but 5 were essentially successes. 3) Only 2 films produced during the 80’s when his children were young. But one was a major success: Princess Bride 4) Most films (9) produced during the 90’s, but only 2 were successful Comments: 1) During the 60's and 70's he was producing a very high average quality. Hits to duds. 2) It seems that he decided to reduce his workload during the 80's so he could enjoy his kids. He had the money to do what he wanted. I think that was a great thing to do. It's a shame we all can't do that sort of thing. 3) He returned to work in the 90's and numbers wise he had his most productive decade. (Nine films produced but only two were successful. So it appears he had lost his passion for the work. He was 59 at the start of the decade and he had all the money he would ever need. It was natural that he would be slowing down some in the quality of his work. He probably couldn't hit the gas as before, but he seems to have been in demand, based on his reputation. Clearly though, he still wanted to work.

[@grahambuckenham1597]

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Marathon Man - two fantastic character driven plots - as he says , minimum special effects , just pure story, wonderful characters & so powerfully told : Raindrops keep falling on those movies forever :) - Hearing this clip makes me realise how much of the man was in the scripts.

[@t.martin1841]

Before I wrote this I read previous comments. I couldn't agree more. I have nothing else to add!

[@curtjester1]

I hardly ever go to movies, but I am waiting for The Temple of Gold, and Boys and Girls Together to come on screen. I would watch that 5 times!