Michael Davenport's blog

Getting My Script Into Shape with The Screenplay Workshop

Michael Davenport — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:30:05 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I had the unique opportunity as a member of the Austin Film Society to attend a free screenwriting workshop taught by Jill Chamberlain of The Screenplay Workshop. This free two-hour class was an introduction for Chamberlain's five-week Fundamentals Class and ten-week Master Class.

When I arrived, the room was already full with 25 eager writers -- pens and paper at the ready. A second, unadvertised intro class had to be scheduled for people who were turned away after the first class filled up. Needless to say, there is a high demand for classes at The Screenplay Workshop for aspiring and professional writers alike.

I won't give away many of the details of Chamberlain's "Nutshell" technique, which was the main focus of the introductory class. You'll have to take my word for it and sign up for the class! I can say that as an aspiring writer, I've heard and read about countless structures, techniques, and gimmicks that claim to be the secret to the next great screenplay. The Nutshell is most certainly not a gimmick and has been one of the more thought-provoking ways to analyze the structure of a screenplay that I've seen.

Without sacrificing depth in plot or character, the Nutshell narrows down the screenplay to the fundamental elements of great storytelling, and allows the writer to define how these elements work together in the initial writing stages. Since the class, I have yet to watch a film that contradicts the Nutshell. The great harmony between freedom and rigidity is what I believe allows the Nutshell to stand the test of countless great movies.

SXSW Review: Shut Up and Play the Hits

Michael Davenport — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:00:35 +0000

In the midst of alleged Kanye West sightings, rumors of a Girl Talk show, and the overall chaos of the second day of the Music fest at SXSW, Shut Up and Play the Hits, a documentary chronicling the last days of the band LCD Soundsystem, was able to fill up the Stateside Theatre on Thursday afternoon. The film is centered on James Murphy, the eclectic leader and brain-child of LCD Soundsystem. Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern weave together a personal interview with Murphy, footage from their last show at (a sold-out) Madison Square Garden, and footage shot of Murphy the morning after the final show.

Murphy's internal struggles are laid bare in the film as he discusses briefly the history of LCD Soundsystem, but mainly talks about his creative process, when something can be considered art, and his reasons for quitting. The rapid success of LCD Soundsystem came late in life for Murphy and it is extremely interesting to hear his thoughts on fame, popularity, and what inspires him to create art.

SXSW 2012 Panel: Collaborations in Film: Writers and Producers

Michael Davenport — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:00:44 +0000

Saturday morning provided an impressive selection of panels for SXSW Film badgeholders, but one stood out above the rest -- especially for any aspiring producers and screenwriters in attendance. "Collaborations in Film: Writers & Producers" featured writer/director Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter), producer Brunson Green (The Help), and producer and Austin Film Society Board of Directors member Sarah Green (Take Shelter, The Tree of Life). The panelists discussed and fielded questions about what it takes to have a successful working relationship between writers and producers.

While each panelist brought their own impressive career and experience to the panel, it was exciting to see such a great pair like Sarah Green and Jeff Nichols discuss this topic, with their collaboration on films like Take Shelter as well as the much-anticipated Mud.

Green expressed her interest in working with Nichols after being impressed with his writing right from the start, emphasizing how important it is to establish good, clear communication between writer and producer. Admitting that her notes to writers have been known to be straightforward and challenging, Green stated that it is essential to make sure that both parties are working to make the same movie.

Everyone on the panel agreed that a successful partnership allows the writer to properly establish their ideas and accomplish their vision, while the producer must challenge and push the writer in order to get the screenplay to its full potential. The key is striking the perfect balance between creativity and criticism.

One of the more fascinating few minutes of this panel was Nichols elaborating on what initially inspired him to write Take Shelter. From a simple image of a man standing in front of an open storm shelter, to the fundamental emotion of anxiety throughout, he built a truly captivating story. Nichols jokingly added that he threw in some of the more thrilling scenes so people would actually want to watch it. He certainly made it clear that ultimately it is much more fulfilling as a writer to work with producers who allow him to put himself into the entire screenplay, rather than having to bend to notes that work against his original vision.

Brunson Green gave insight into giving a writer the proper amount of leeway throughout the development process. It was fascinating to hear his experience producing the widely successful film The Help from the initial adaptation process to the final release.