Before a cast assembles or a director begins forming their version, a pen is put to the paper (or, rather, a combination of keystrokes are made) and a script is completed. There was no shortage of compelling work last year (the majority of which you can download) and now some of the top writers have gathered for an extensive 70-minute roundtable talk courtesy of THR, featuring Pedro Almodóvar (Julieta), Allison Schroeder (Hidden Figures), Tom Ford (Nocturnal Animals), Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea), Noah Oppenheim (Jackie), and Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water).
“I try to remind myself: Let the characters drive the plot,” Sheridan says. “Don’t tell me something you can show me. “Kill your darlings” is probably the best [advice, from screenwriter William Goldman]. You write this great scene; it doesn’t really fit in; and then you write six scenes to support it — and that’s when you’ve got to get rid of it.” They also discuss their favorite books, capturing history, different iterations, and through it all, Ford acts perhaps the best moderator at the table.
Check out the full talk below.
Read More: Download the 2016 Awards Season Screenplays
What is your favorite screenplay of last year?