Our video essay series examines various aspects of the show, whose finale airs on May 24.
Understanding Screenwriting #23: ER, Duplicity, Coraline, Sin Nombre, Tokyo Sonata, & More
This series finale episode will probably not go down in TV history as one of the great series finales.
Understanding Screenwriting #21: Sunshine Cleaning, Everlasting Moments, The Mask of Dimitrios, ER, & More
Yes, it has “sunshine” in the title. Yes, it has Alan Arkin as a crusty grandpa. Yes, it has a light colored van.
Understanding Screenwriting #19: Teaching the Young, Minsky’s, Captain Blood, In Old Chicago, & More
Captain Blood is the film that made Errol Flynn a star after his appearing in smaller parts in a few Warners pictures.
Understanding Screenwriting #17: Slumdog Millionaire, Dodge City, Ride Lonesome, ER, & More
Angels With Dirty Faces go to Mumbai. On steroids.
Understanding Screenwriting #11: Changeling, I’ve Loved You So Long, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, ER, & More
The flaw in Clint Eastwood’s iris.
Understanding Screenwriting #10: Synecdoche, New York, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, & More
Charlie Kaufman makes the basic rookie mistake most people do when they direct their first feature.
Understanding Screenwriting #9: Rachel Getting Married, Body of Lies, How I Met Your Mother, & More
I was so busy trying to find Anne Hathaway’s face in the frame that I missed the emotion she was expressing.
Understanding Screenwriting #8: Eagle Eye, American Gangster, The Captive City, The Ex List, & More
This being a big-budget American film, there is the obligatory car chase, not bad of its kind.
Understanding Screenwriting #7: Miracle at St. Anna, The Tall Target, How I Met Your Mother, Ugly Betty, & More
I have not read the novel, but James McBride’s screenplay is a mess.