Writing Motivation from Professional Filmmakers

Talk about screenwriting and film on our official Discord server: / discord
What does it take to become a better writer? It takes daily practice, it takes dedication, it taktes hard work. You're going to have bad drafts. You're going to write and write and write. If you want to go into filmmaking, it's going to take a lot of hard work.
Hears a collection of advice from the best screenwriters and filmmakers in the industry today.
Filmmakers featured in order of appearance:
00:00 Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather)
00:41 Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective)
01:06 Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys)
01:26 Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich)
02:29 Beau Willimon (House of Cards)
03:18 Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
03:37 Jordan Peele (Get Out)
03:50 Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women)
05:35 Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood)
06:51 David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
07:13 Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot)
08:34 Jerry Lewis
09:10 Krysty Wilson-Cairns (1917)
09:42 Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather)
10:13 Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction)
ABOUT BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Learn from real screenwriters. Learn the most without wasting time listening to long interviews with only 3 minutes of useful information. We take the best pieces of advice and insight from professional screenwriters and deliver them to you in an easily watchable format.
How to Be a Better Writer
• How Professional Scree...
#Screenwriting #Filmmaking #Filmschool

[@clingclanglarry3327]

'If you just truly really love cinema with enough passion and you really love it, then you can't help but make a good movie'... The only thing that's pushing me to write...

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Now go write!

[@nayamemer4801]

Tarantino's words

[@Lmaoh5150]

I’ve always loved what PTA says about each movie being a miracle. No matter if it’s Citizen Kane or Grown Ups 2-a group of people worked together hard enough and with so much effort to make this little piece of art. It’s beautiful

[@apollion888]

The way to be a better writer is to fail. You learn from your mistakes, not your successes. And, of course, steal from the best because who else would you steal from?

[@BehindtheCurtain]

100% right. You can only learn so much listening to the experts. To become a better writer, you have to actually write.

[@sgkfilms]

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” - Samuel Beckett

[@mcpotts544]

That's what I always say, if you are gonna steal, steal from the best LOL

[@michaeld1889]

I feel it's also beneficial to read where others have fallen short, without judging them. Who amongst us is perfect? Whether it's a novel or in a movie.

[@okisweirdstories]

One thing that's paramount to becoming a better writer is seeking out beta readers who can give you constructive criticism and help you improve. Trying to do everything by yourself can lead you astray. Without guidance you might develop bad habits, stagnate, or worse you might simply give up not knowing how to proceed. That's why writing groups are so beneficial to developing your craft.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Exactly. I agree wholeheartedly. And that's what I felt was missing in Behind the Curtain. I had the expert interviews, but I didn't have the community. That's part of the Behind the Curtain Membership. I'm actually getting ready to do a zoom call with the members tomorrow to dissect a screenplay and talk about screenwriting. Community is an essential part of the growing process.

[@colettephair]

@Emily Von Spears You hardly received feedback from beta readers, you mean? Were they paid? How many did you use? I'm just starting out with them now and want to approach it like, if a piece of advice also makes sense to me on a fundamental level, and especially if I hear it over and over from different sources, then I can process it and make it mine. But rewriting whatever one person wants doesn't sound great, you're right.

[@wisdomnations5701]

"There are no original ideas, only original people."

[@cleberv9825]

I love Greta Gerwig, you can notice the love for the things she does and the honesty that she expresses

[@powerfist80]

Well stated by each and every one of them.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching

[@davidbridgeman]

Except for Tarantino.

[@NUCLEARDASH]

@@davidbridgeman Each and Every one of them.

[@NUCLEARDASH]

@@davidbridgeman Alright, I take it back.

[@regentneo]

Love what Krysty Wilson-Cairns said abt how important it is to polish your writing today, because you wouldn't know when that skill meets that opportunity. Keep learning, keep writing!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Exactly! Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. People always point to successful people and talk about how lucky they are without seeing the work behind it.

[@regentneo]

@@BehindtheCurtain so true ! Appreciate this beautiful video. Thank you sir!

[@DomhnallOSuileabhainPrin-tm1fw]

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

[@jordanpardi97]

"If you're not taking risks then you're not doing something original" is... ironic when placed next to Kevin Spacey's face

[@alirezajamali9349]

i am about to finish the first draft of my book and it feels amazing and i know my first draft is SHITTTT....but still... its something... 3 years ago i even didnt have the balls to write 1 page

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Dude congratulations! That's still a big accomplishment.

[@MultiAustin86]

That’s awesome! Keep it up. I’m about 90 pages deep into just the outline for my screenplay. Scared to start the actual script...but just gotta do it.

[@alirezajamali9349]

@@MultiAustin86 i have 1 rule: write it now fix it later you cant fix something that is in your mind... only on paper

[@estevanmunoz_]

that's what it's all about!

[@Writing-With-Dyslexia]

I'm right there with you. I finished my first draft about a year ago, and thought it sucked. But regardless I was happy, because I accomplished something most people struggle to do. And you never know, someone might love your book!

[@yskim2636]

8:13 : That's NOT Charlie Kaufman talking. It's Geoffrey S. Fletcher who wrote PRECIOUS.

[@aaronpenner3990]

hilarious

[@Erkster11]

A humbling reminder from some of the greats. Thank you!

[@aldwinraditya]

I've seen some of these clips alone and have found each to be inspiring. Thanks for putting them together and connect the dots for us viewers.

[@cine.te.philia3632]

One of the best channel on films! Keep up the good work 💪

[@BehindtheCurtain]

That means a lot! Thanks for watching!

[@atallguynh]

This goes straight to my favorites that I go back to for inspiration when I need it... and I'm not even two minutes in.

[@r.n.7731]

Thanks for the great vid! Everybody makes bad scripts but there can always be those great moments or full scripts. We just have to keep writing.

[@aryanrao5239]

I WAS MOTIVATED JUST BY LOOKING AT THE THUMBNAIL, THANKS.

[@blackbird8837]

When you hit rock bottom you watch that Q.T. sequence.

[@youtubecom32]

Really great work putting these together! Thank you.

[@fransowrites]

So good. I need to make a playlist of these videos and play them in the background while I’m writing.

[@MiguelOcampo]

Love your videos, they are always great! Thank you so much for this. Please keep creating.

[@Sophia-jo8tv]

Thank you for making this and for the content you create in general, I am going through a really hard time, writing and film are the two things I love the most and I was just about ready to give up, words cannot explain how much I needed this video right now, I think I can believe in myself again, thank you

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Sophia, I'm glad my video could encourage you in some way. I'm sorry to hear you're going through a rough time. Best wishes.

[@diamonddogs4776]

Thanks man, your getting better ! Keep up the good work

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I appreciate it!

[@Elle-eq4hy]

those videos are so well-done. masterpieces of youtube videos.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thank you!

[@mars2803]

Thanks for this reassuring and inspiring video. Hope anyone out there trying to write a film gets it done ❤

[@pointblankevumbi7495]

i love that the great lesson shared on this channel, echoes comic Monarch, Jack Kirby; "Sit down and do the work".

[@korliyon2283]

I TOTALLY agree with Tarantino

[@arthuredens]

"Fuck all that shit" Quentin sums it up nicely

[@chagoyaman]

I needed this. Thank you, good man.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching!

[@ztj95]

Great work as always

[@jakenell7673]

I’ll need to play this video every morning.

[@JayInDecent]

I love Quentin. These days he's the only person I get excited about when they make a movie.

[@datangle77]

Great video, thank you for all the effort you put into these :)

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Glad you like them!

[@sonbrotherfriend]

I love these type of videos from you bhtc

[@rileydermanuelian7307]

Coppola's advice resonated with me

[@jackieperrry]

this was really helpful! thank you!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching!

[@painfulllife2899]

i recently wrote a screenplay in 15 days, just for practice it's 212 pages.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

That's great! Congratulations!

[@painfulllife2899]

@@BehindtheCurtain thanks my brother that means alot.

[@datangle77]

Damn, impressive! Good job!

[@shaunaksoni7595]

@W 9797 read books like save the cat! and also read the best screenplays

[@Doctor-Infinite]

Thank you I needed this

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Good to hear! Thank you for watching

[@TheGabe473]

Hey from the selection of clips ( pta, tarantino, jerry lewis and coppola) I have a hunch you might have watched a compilation I made some years ago (Young advice from master filmakers). if for coincidence that happens to be true it just made my day cause I’m a huge fan of yours! Keep rocking !

[@amanofmanynames8751]

_How to be a better writer_ Write

[@jamesgreenldn]

Same for any art, keep practicing!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Absolutely!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Quantity fosters quality, but only if you strive to do better each time

[@stickwoodthebrand]

A Man of Many Names exactly!! I truly believe that all filmmakers are self thought to a certain extent. You teach yourself the most important stuff through experience

[@alpha_berchermuesli5975]

"You're never ready for anything. You either just do it, or you don't" - from Super (2010). The film sucked, imo. But these two sentences stuck with me. You have to start something in order to finish it. For writing, it starts with the first key stroke. You don't have to finish the chapter. Even if it's just a paragraph. One brick at a time you write that project. It's not tomorrow, or maybe in the evening. It starts whenever you decide to. Just do it.

[@mad_the_monk]

Great video man, informative as always - I’m also curious about your new course, how did you manage to get to talk to all of the amazing people you have that offer their tidbits on it?

[@vdswati]

I am a 14 yo! I fell in love with movies and script writing!!! Any motivation or advice you guys have for me!! Martin Scorsese, Majid Majidi, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Capolla and Akira Kurosawa movies really inspire me!! I would really really love some advice😊

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Start writing. That's about it really. You're going to learn more from actually writing than anything else.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

This 100%! Learning from the experts is only the first part of the process. You'll learn the most by doing it.

[@seppevb1181]

Learn from experts, practice, and be patient.

[@loginzoneout7104]

I started writing at 14 and that has changed my life because the act of storytelling, even to yourself, allows you to evaluate your experiences and see them in a different light. My advice is: don't write to get published, don't write because you believe this script will become a success, and at this stage never write to a deadline. Any deadline right now is in your head and it will not be helpful. Instead, learn to love to write. Write a little every day and if you get a small thrill when you sit down and start tapping the keyboard, or a thrill when you pick up the pen, then you are doing it right. If you love writing, no matter how many rejections come your way, getting up again and carrying on will be a breeze. You have a good taste in directors, that's good, but don't forget to read. Devour any books you can get your hands on: fiction or non-fiction. And finally: keep a diary. It's up to you if you choose to write in it every day, or jot down whenever something interesting or significant happens to you or around you, but it will help sharpen your writer's eye for analysing your environment, people's behaviour and help you appreciate how weird the world can get sometimes. And even if you never use any material from those diaries, they might be the spark for your next project. Hope this helps

[@Blufall]

Look up "story circle" by Dan Harmon, a really good starting point.

[@rellyWrotethat]

listening to this before every session

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I'm glad it motivated you!

[@drslothlehoff806]

Fantastic, thanks!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Glad you liked it!

[@tom4md123]

needed this today, thanks

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Good to hear! Thanks for watching

[@tom4md123]

@@BehindtheCurtain no problem they're fantastic videos, easy to get down about your writing so nice to have a pick me up

[@simpingaddiction]

Becoming a filmmaker is hard, because you can't write a good screenplay, and it is very fraustrating. but in your mind, its just your imagination. to improve your writing watch some movies that you love. i recommend watching Tarantino because of his great dialogues then, learn from some and you will finally got yourself some idea.

[@HoraceTheLion]

Agreed!!!

[@girishgowda7661]

This is beautiful. Thank you for this. Is there any podcasts for writers and storytellers in general you'd like to recommend?

[@BehindtheCurtain]

A24 podcast is good. As well as Script Notes.

[@gametheory2676]

love this

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Talk about screenwriting and film on our official Discord server: discord.gg/xxTqXXd

[@bw-xv2rz]

Erin Brokovich's bit was so good

[@ashboomstick7985]

All of the advice here sounds great. However, the two that really stand out to me, not just because they are my favorite filmmakers featured in the video, were Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson's advice.

[@drkgdzz]

This is the best youtube channel ever holy shit.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I appreciate the support, brother

[@alanfloresayoroa1204]

That Tarantino one got to my core

[@TheSharkTrager]

Just the inspiration I needed! Thank you for this video, it really has helped my negative perspective on my writing. Also, P.T. Anderson's advice, "Don't give a fuck"...that is a mantra I can roll with.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Good to hear, man! Good luck to you on your future projects.

[@hrishikeshsanglikar5723]

Loved it

[@painfulllife2899]

who can dislike this video that doesn't make sense, it's a great video some real nice tips.

[@luisbustos6809]

Great video!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching!

[@Artzun]

Thank you!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Welcome!

[@benminhanh5926]

i love it man

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks, man!

[@mj-fm6bx]

I love Gerwig's "you have to make your own turn." and you have to will your story into existence"

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Took today off. It's all good . I got it .🙏👤

[@sweetlifewithkonchumkaram749]

Charlie Kaufman is right at it.

[@ralphgunther]

stunning video! why dont you analise Better Call Saul? or maybe Lars Von Trier's films or Alfonso Cuaron''s

[@someguy752]

I can feel greta's need to create movies from the way she speaks. powerful

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Motivation ! !

[@charliejoseph6465]

I'm going to say this video is today's prep. I'll start writing the script next week. Now what's next on my KZbin suggestions...

[@matcharicecake]

please do a video about the meaning of the movie "the double"! I don't get the ending at all!

[@danielzapata6633]

Does anyone know the name of the soundtrack in the background when Tarantino is speaking?? @10:50

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

Right

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa74]

Jordan Peele is amazing

[@CollinThomasEverett]

Jerry Lewis' quote hit me the hardest.

[@wifine1951]

Writing films is quite hectic. A small page will take days to shoot but be a few seconds. It took 7-8 hours just to film the joker dance scene and that was there for a few seconds

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Which means having a strong foundation in the story is so important.

[@VIK_1903]

Fantastic!!!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks!

[@VIK_1903]

@@BehindtheCurtain Nah, mate! Thank YOU for such content! I mean it.

[@shashwatjoshi3123]

Tarantino is probably the most charismatic writer/director ever

[@bala0075]

And then Quentin comes in and drops the mic...

[@IKB79]

i personally thought that was really unhelpful and cringe

[@ratedrpipo]

@@IKB79 Not cringe but definitely unhelpful. It sounds like advice a genius would give, a person to whom creativity falls instinctively.

[@michaelriverside1139]

@@ratedrpipo I disagree, his words pretty much sum up the rest of the other director's opinion in having a drive for you to keep going, his style might be unorthodox, because his career is unorthodox by not having formal studies. In fact, it's inspiring to have someone succeed out of sheer love for His Hobby turned Craft.

[@raskolnikov7034]

​@@IKB79 Then you don't understand cinema at all 😊.

[@samcohen99]

More videos please 😁🙏 lol

[@BehindtheCurtain]

More on the way!!

[@ImmaTortle]

Would you be able to do a video on Dan Harmon?

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Yeah, I'm working on doing an interview with him

[@howardkoor2796]

🙏🙏🙏

[@jimlawton4184]

Oh, that moment when the channel name is mentioned in a video!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I love when that happens haha

[@archangecamilien1879]

0:00 that can apply to virtually anything, haha...I wonder how many things here are going to apply solely to writing...

[@archangecamilien1879]

3:45 it's funny Jordan Peele says that (I mean, haha, that they placed him saying that) "it has to be autobiographical" right after Charlie Kaufmann spoke, since that's something Charlie Kaufmann says...and I don't think everyone thinks so...

[@sephfo]

i dont think thats Kaufman talking at 8:30

[@MartinBustamanteSolares]

😍😍😍

[@malinhessedahl]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@vanntitrises2715]

How house md was written

[@drivethrufilmzz]

What do I write every day? Do I make up a different story every day?

[@SomebodyCaringSomebody]

I know they 👀 saw

[@STAR-cq6uj]

This story starts with a plane full of passengers. Most of them are asleep. Then..... the plane.. it’s engine starts failing and the passengers Start screaming and freaking out. The plane falls into a forest. With all of the passengers dying except two. One being a man named Josh and the other being a man named Jackson. They get out of the plane. They look around. Look at each other and then look back into the distance. THE PIT they walk around and eventually find water, so they wash off and drink the water, but it’s not clean so they need to boil it. They then start looking around for something to eat. And... they don’t find something to eat but Jackson finds something else.... a pit .. full of skulls and bones. So he calls josh over there “ man... you need to see this” Josh walks over there and sees it... the skulls... the bones.... Fact about beam head - Beam head will take the power from the plane forcing the engine to fail and take the people from the plane.Take them to his pit , Leave them there alive. Until he comes back and he.. he ...melts there brains and skin.. - He will also take some people from the plane and they escape before beam head comes back. But there left with no food.. no water ... so they become cannibals. Continuing the story now.... Jackson then says “ some ones doing this” Josh then says “ no... not someone.... some.. thing.” They continue to chop pieces of wood with axes they found in suitcases. It’s starting to get darker and darker.. until it’s really dark. They build a fire with the wood they chopped. They fall asleep on blackest they both brought in there suit cases. Josh wakes up because he hears something. He then wakes up Jackson and tells him “ I hear something . It’s like ... weird laughing.” Then they hear footsteps. They both get up , josh gets his axe and Jackson gets his gun. Then josh is attacked from behind making him fall on his axe. * BOOM* *BOOM* Jackson shoots the crazy cannibal girl. He tells josh to get up but josh is gasping for air. Why you may ask. He fell on the sharp part of his axe. Jackson turns him over and starts freaking out. He takes off his shirt and rolls it up. He then ties it around the wound and small axe really tight. Josh is in a lot of pain. He then tells Jackson while struggling for air” Jackson .. go... leave me” Jackson then says “ no I won’t” Josh then points behind Jackson and sees a really bright light and it’s moving closer and closer towards them . “What is that?” Jackson asked . Josh says whole struggling to breathe “ I’ve heard story’s about that thing, they call him Night Beam To be continued... I’m 12 years old and starting to write this series called “ The Pit”. This is my 5th story I’ve been wrote. Tell me what you think.

[@Serriniverse]

All really good advice... except crossing the line. Come on Quentin.

[@DmakProductionsTempe]

Nice, you cover a lot of interesting talking points in the video production space! We like what you talk about, keep it up. Anytime you're in Arizona let us know. If you'd like, DM us @dmakproductions on Instagram and we can connect. You do really great work.

[@jesaispasvraimentquoiecrireici]

I appreciate this video but... (sorry, there's a but) I don't understand why some youtubers want to put each word of a sentence like you did at 0:42. Is everyone suffering from attention deficit in 2020? Is it possible to listen to someone without reading at the same time? (The answer for me personally is yes, but I'm wondering if i'm a minority here)

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Tldr

[@FortWhenTeaThyme]

Not a fan of the one word at a time text stuff. I know some people like it, but please keep in mind that some people also hate it. It makes me nauseated.

[@jferrell-benton3934]

Send me a writing group to join

[@zdover]

Eleven minutes of platitudes.

[@KipArmadillo]

I appreciate Tarantino's message, but he's wrong when he says understanding the concept of crossing the line is not important. If you don't, at the very least, understand crossing the line, your film will be entirely unwatchable.

[@MichaelCorleone654]

Are you talking about the 180 degree line? That’s what he’s talking about and that’s something that could easily be understood. His sentiment is bang on though because knowing all the technicalities and science behind filmmaking pales in comparison to having a burning desire to make a film irrespective of all the technical/financial restrictions. For instance, I know someone who is a few years older than me, who studied filmmaking for a few years and now works as a runner on movie/tv show sets. We tried to get a short project made for which I had written the script. None of his knowledge and experience could mask his ineptitude. Despite all his practical knowledge he missed certain fundamental attributes - taste and creativity. People of his ilk are only good for being directed. They are good as crew members. Writing/Directing is much more instinctual and therefore the technicalities are less important than possessing that impulse to create. Simply put there are some people that have it in them to make true cinema and even if they do not understand all the intricacies they still have the makings of a worthy filmmaker because they’d likely blow up like Travis Bickle if they didn’t get to make their movies.

[@landocalrissian8758]

Maybe don't include so much Kevin Spacey next time...

[@MegaTuber86]

Neil Druckmann writing advice " Write what your political beliefs are, that will create your characters and story" Worst video game story writer of all time.

[@ovahlord1451]

David cage wants to know your location

[@Jimmybwhite]

I loved this until Jordan Peele said, “it has to be autobiographical..” and then a picture of Get Out..🙄. I love him AND that movie, but it’s like OF COURSE he had to bring race into this

[@MrBiginvegas]

Oh dear more endless philosophizing, shallow Ted talk advice " be fearless, embrace failure, be true to your heart ". That's all horseshit. Nothing here from any of these writers suggests anything that will make you a better screenwriter. Writing is a method. It's nothing more than a learned or instinctive technique to convey words into action, drama whatever you care to narrate. Try reading, anything, screenplays, novels, plays. Watch 2-3 movies a day, read the screenplays. Understand the genre you are writing in. I mean really excavate that genre, dig deep. Finding what it is you want to write is half the battle won. Most of us choose a genre, let the genre chooses you , it should be in your movie DNA. If you cannot articulate in one email to yourself what your true cinematic DNA is, you should move on to something else that will give you joy and satisfaction and earn you money to pay your rent.

[@Ruylopez778]

What they are all talking about is authenticity. It doesn't matter how much we read, write or watch, or how refined the process, if we're scared to be authentic then nobody will ever care about what we've written. You're also talking about authenticity, but taking a long time to say anything.

[@MrBiginvegas]

@@Ruylopez778 The notion of being "authentic" having one's own voice congruent to our beliefs and value's is also horseshit. Screenwriting is all business. How you dip your pen, what place that comes from is based entirely on what you have learned and how you apply it. You don't need to be authentic when you are hired to write the next installment of Fast and Furious. You need to know how it should be constructed and then deliver. And having the confidence in your ability to not fuck out on a gig.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@MrBiginvegas Calling things horseshit doesn't make you right. Nobody dreams of writing the next Furious movie. Again, you take a long time to make your point. I wonder why you bothered to watch and comment? No doubt to endow the plebs with your infinite wisdom... We are eternally grateful! What the fuck would Francis Ford Coppola or Kaufman know, right?

[@deeseant]

Holy shit that lady they interview at around the five minute mark, it keeps stuttering can I say it hard to listen to. She repeats herself on a regular basis clowns on everyone else