I've viewed countless films and television shows over the years. However, there are writers I aspire to emulate, and have given it my best shot. They include Woody Allen, Robert Bolt, San Peckinpah, James Elroy, Dan Gilroy, Harry Julian Fink, Rex Picket, Clint Eastwood, and many other writers and directors. And I'd be lying if I didn't say I've borrowed ideas from these talented artists.
Do you look to emulate other great writers and filmmakers?
If so, who are they?
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U mean who did I steal from? Many places, can't remember all...I don't go after names, through I go after style, execution...
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Honestly I don't try to emulate writers, because I feel like my writing style is quite different from anyone's. There are writers I admire though, those being Aaron Sorkin, Steven Spielberg, Charlie Kaufman, Dalton Trumbo, and many others. I say "admire" because each one of them gave "something" to the screenplay, from its classic structure to its transition to television, so they are for sure great "teachers" to know about.
About filmmakers, I don't borrow ideas from them either but for sure some of them are undeniable inspirations: in my case, Kubrick, Ozu and Van Dormael are at the top of my list.
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Steven E de Souza, John Woo, Shane Black, Woody Allen (pre-1980s), Spike Lee, Chris Morgan, Richard Price, Nora Ephron,
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Jason Blum and James wan. Yes modern but 2 visionaries
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I don't try to emulate any writers/directors, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique, but there are some that I learn from. Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Jordan Peele, Quentin Tarantino, Charlie Kaufman, Robert Towne, and others.
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Rob McElhenney - creator of Sunny in Philly - anything goes as long as it's funny.
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James Cameron
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Each script I write, I'm pulling influences from so many different sources, even if they're not working within my genre. I don't try to emulate so much as feel their inspiration.
For example, my Phantom of the Opera adaptation was a mix between Edith Wharton and Guillermo Del Toro, while my animated fantasy feature was a mix between late author Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Pixar and Henry Selick.
This new script that I'm writing is a coming-of-age slice of life sci-fi horror, so I'm studying the masters of the genre like James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus, M. Night Shyamalan and most recently, Jordan Peele.
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Phillip, my biggest influences as a writer are Reginald Rose and the "American Graffiti" team of George Lucas, Gloria Katz, and Willard Huyck. (I know...it's going back a ways, but still...I'm very happy with it.)
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Jim: AG remains a beautiful film and has influenced many filmmakers.
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Luca: Trumbo's script for Spartacus is fantastic. I think the characters of Batiatus and Gracchus are brilliantly crafted and are standouts in the film.
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Uncle Phil - I'm me, not here to emulate anybody. I try to learn from all writers & directors, from good to terrible as they all have something to teach me.