PAUL HAGGIS Screenwriting Lesson

[Screenplay12]

Ever wonder how a script becomes a movie? Follow my blog at London1666 at wordpress to find out!

[5micRecords]

Google, Bing, or Yahoo: "My little place of entertainment" they are the best at getting your screenplay into the right hands.

[myfacevids]

I love Paul, such a great guy who tells the truth

[wbrutus22]

WOww...he answered EVERYTHING! I mean, spot on answers. Great video, great guy!

[prescott911]

@wbrutus22 lol he's a screenwriter, not a politician!

[wbrutus22]

@prescott911 haha...I meant he was spot on with his answers and quite humble. I got your point though. lol

[LIVINGONTHEDOLE]

he seems pretentious, but his back catalogue is pretty impressive... so hard to argue with his thoughts

[Aleque]

awesome, I need to buy his lessons

[MikeSteel1989]

Stupid video wont let me increase sound so its on mute >O

[IG2HI]

Hard to believe Haggis was listed as a co-creator of WALKER: TEXAS RANGER.



[WriterJohnC]

Wrote 2 screenplays with pens and pencils. Since then I have written 6 specs and now I feel like I have the craftsmanship it takes. I still love writing in the novelistic form better, but I'd love to have a screen credit.

[willemcyberwars]

This is mostly irrelevant to this video but... Does anybody know what stages you have to take or where to even begin, if you want to sell an anime movie screenplay? (Do I really need an agent?)(If so, how much is it going to cost?) Thanks :)

[Godcaly123]

I'm an inspiring beginner screenwriter. I feel like my crazy imagination will take me far in this business. I picture big battles in my head, death, destruction, blooming life, love and hate. I just struggle on how to put it on paper and transform my idea into a screenplay. If anybody can give me some tips I would truly appreciate it. :-)

[celluloidcandy]

@Godcaly123 All those themes you sum up are great, but you seem to get overwhelmed. Try to pick one of these subjects that interest you, i.e death, and try to use that as the spine, or overarcing theme. In the end it is your character that decides where your story goes, and what the actual theme is. Just try to keep it small. Having one subject will hopefully give you clarity

[Godcaly123]

@celluloidcandy thank you very much for your advice, i will follow it :)

[celluloidcandy]

@Godcaly123 I've only been writing scripts for a couple of years (not even near anything i'm comfortable giving to anyone), but i do hope this helps for you. :)

[williamhcarlton]

@Godcaly123 I can suggest you learn the difference between "inspire" and "aspire".

[Godcaly123]

@williamhcarlton I do, it was late night. Sorry.

[alexmortland]

Dear Paul Haggis: Your next project should be a large-scale, superbly crafted biopic on the topic of L Ron Hubbard. C'mon. You know you want to.

[MKukula]

cool

[makeitrain47]

I loved "Million Dollar Baby" and "The Last Kiss" (of course, having Rachel Bilson in it didn't hurt), and I just watched "The Last 3 Days" and was blown away. Paul is brilliant, and the best is yet to come.

[makeitrain47]

I enjoyed how they talk about just learning from experience versus getting formally trained. Formal training can teach you a few methods, but a lot of people end up getting stuck within those methods and it stunts creativity in the end.

Guys like Paul ultimately end up writing things that are more creative and real because they're able to break the mold.

[makeitrain47]

Paul Haggis is pretty down to earth. He's one of the few people in Hollywood who really scraped and made himself as opposed to folks who are in just because they knew some bigwig. Of course it is all about connections, but there's a lot of folks with no talent who got hooked up in the business.

[benniquaid]

The interviewer is an ass. He seems like he doesn't want to be there and he almost cuts Haggis off.

[nave712]

does anyone know how many pages a screenplay can be

[WhiteyRavensTH]

@nave712 All depends on the length of your movie. I'm from France, so rules might be different from where you are, but what i can tell you is that 1 page = about 1 minute on screen. For a 90-minutes movie, your screenplay won't contain more than 100 pages.

[nave712]

@WhiteyRavensTH okay but some scripts for movies like james camerons avatar that movies script has 152 pages so can it be like some where in the hundreds and can a script be more then a hundred pages like can it be as high as 200. im asking cus im writing a screenplay for a kingdom hearts film and i dont wanna put to many pages cus if i decide to pitch it i wanna make sure i can only have a hundred something pages in it

[WhiteyRavensTH]

@nave712 "Avatar" is 162-min long, so extremely close to 1 page = 1 minutes. 200 pages is indeed too long, especially if you wanted to make a 90-min movie :-D Try to have the "Action" as short as you can and be careful about dialogues, too. JUST THE ESSENTIAL and nothing else. Good luck with it :-)

[nave712]

@WhiteyRavensTH so no i cant have my screenplay 200 pages or more i can only have it below in the 100s

[dallasbagley]

Damn, this man just gave me hope. Thank you.

[shabogeesic]

This was so neat to listen to- he's an awesome story teller!

[klairelaux]

This was really inspiring. It reminds me of the 10,000 hour rule. I like that he said he didn't realize he could make it until he was 40. It really makes me feel more assured that if you keep working at it, eventually you'll be able to overcome. :)

[jiuufctsu18]

I want to write my own show!! just like Larry David. But I dont know where to start! Someone help me!!!

[Evandile]

So inspiring. It's people like these who admit that they were never perfect, whom you can relate to and learn off.

[freddiemesquit1]

I'm struggling with a first draft right now of my second screenplay. Hearing Paul say that he struggles as well, just like all writers do, gives me the incentive and the encouragement to finish it. Gotta love his humility. Not standard fare I would imagine.

[ifinefilmz]

AMAZINGGG!!!!

[MrJuha1976]

A new kind of story structure form (doc is in finnish language)

docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid­=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B­1dBshGNnk6oZmE5ZGFlOWUtZTEwZi0­0Y2M2LWFjYWUtZmI5OTIxMDk4ZWVj&­hl=en

[youtube1010]

Great ! thx.

[mycompasstv]

Paul is such a great writer and guy.

[DrMBA28]

"Making a good living as a bad writer".

I like that he has the humility to say that. Most people interpret a little success as evidence of superior talent and don't feel the need to listen to people or continue to develop their craft. Good stuff, Haggis.

[kokopellifan1]

Informative.

[selimsucram]

Very informative! Thank you!

[BUDDY6414724297]

I am an award winning screenwriter. And I can tell you that most scripts are crap and most young writers have not done their homework. They have not read the classics. They have not developed their vocabulary skills. They have not become emotionally developed individuals. And as a result you see childish material being produced. Because many of the people who are green lighting these projects are in the boat as the writers. And the people running are society have failed also.

[TheAdamgnych]

for such a genius he's soo humble.

[ghostmanlostsoul]

How many awards have you won?

[volk22221]

 #OMG download movie роор.su

[MiKKA335]

Read the script for 'The Shawshank Redemption' if you want to read a perfect piece of screenwriting.

[dodoxti]

Very, very good

[sraptv]

Paul Haggis is very experienced screenwriter of tv & films thank You 'The Dialogue' for this insightfully educational video. I'm beginner screenwriter.

[paulanthonydavenport]

Paul Haggis is Awesome. I love his Writing.

[ghostmanlostsoul]

I like what this guy has to say. You might want to also check out "screenwriting Tips" at "buddy6414724297".

[realitysmaster]

the interviewer is a douche. He pisses me off. It's like he tries to have the focus on him. Every interview he cuts off the subject. Fix yourself Barbara Walters and freakin read some people skill books. Jeez.

[JazzRockBlues44]

Inspiring

[AwesomeCoasters]

is this a screenwriting lesson or a fucking autobiography

[ToroTheIllusionist]

7:48.... WTF, he interrupts his fathers story! I wanted to hear that story you dirty diaper!!!

[guitarmessiah95]

I want to be a screenwriter but i'm toatlly lost and don't know how to start D:

[laurigun1]

@guitarmessiah95 Take your favourite movie or series and try to do a new episode or a part for it. I took the series called Early Edition and im alwready finishing 1st page.

[mackychloe]

@laurigun1. i'd like to write terminator 5. lol

[Tones4me1]

@guitarmessiah95 In LA there are tons of teachers. But start by getting the script to your favorite movie and follow along as you watch. Then get one of the great books that teach you the formula,it is pretty exact. Next do a treatment to map out the stories beginning, middle and end. That is 3 acts. Don't attempt 4 acts yet. Then just do it. You can also take classes on line. Fun & Easy. Enjoy!

[Tones4me1]

@guitarmessiah95 Syd Field wrote a great book on screen writing and I see he is featured here to the right being interviewed by Stuart Beattie. Check it out. I was lucky enough to take classes in LA during the early '70's with Sidney Ralph Ross (enter name in youtube & google). He was the 1st head writer on" All in the Family"and Wonder Woman & Bat Man etc. Great guy!

[wgamador]

Brilliant Insight!!!!!

[blackprincess82]

I used to work construction with Haggis. man, he used to take the stinkiest shits in the port-a-potties.

[mysticpamela]

Best to always avoid freshly used porta-potties. Lesson learned =]

[KILLFIGHTA]

@blackprincess82 And I'm sure yours smelled great! mmmmmmmmmm you should be a chef!!

[mg22ful]

crash=masterpiece

[Xelanderthomas]

This is better than one of those $500 seminars

[MattieCooper]

Great interview! Thanks!

[indusdolphin]

Great Video, thanks so much

[tatedominguez]

TALENTLESS FUCK

[fofofo48]

In the 14 seconds from 9:03 to 9:17, Paul Haggis has given us great advice: not just for artistic work, but for life itself.

Writing, cooking, sewing, painting - whatever our creative expression happens to be - we must remember it is OURS to improve.

[ZachClooney]

Inspiring interview. Thanks for posting it.

[THeEraSerr]

i love how this guy isn't a arrogant prick like some of the others lol. great advice!

[NYPDface]

@THeEraSerr ya agreed

[pitolove71]

@THeEraSerr I love your honest assessment of some artists who think that their shit is somewhat special--literally. Listen, I appreciate & admire the artistic abilities of actors, writers, directors, etc. but when you get an air of arrogance, grandiosity, & a "I'm superior than everyone else" it just sickens me. Politicians have this character defect but they hide it much better. There are millions of other people who can do better but never got opportunities. It's about who U know, connections

[Gettinghitonattheban]

Finally, someone who is not just another formulaic, generic jackass.

[NYPDface]

@Gettinghitonattheban ya i know i like how he doesnt really act cocky like a lot of writers do in hollywood

[hididdlyho82]

Also a very good video I've been trying to write a script for a while and learnt alot! Thankyou!

[hididdlyho82]

Well done putting that mad cult out of your life! They need to stop ruining young people's lifes!

[2009Together]

Thank You for speaking out against Scientology .... It is a dark Cult most people no nothing about because of the the distraction of celebrity status.

[Emaginationfilms]

This is great advice! I left construction to write and direct as well !

[thunderbear071967]

He also penned and directed Due south with paul Gross and thats eries ended up being the first Canadian series to be picked up by a major US network . but each to his own scottdogz88

[edwardj0206]

what is your genre

[scottdoggz88]

i really am sick of this guy. He's a good writer and he's great in the businss, but just sooooo overated. Crash was not best picture worthy, and it just came out on the worst year ever of the academys. He got lucky with crash.. enough said.

[lookingglassedge]

Paul Haggis is I think a genius at what he created with Crash and Million Dollar Baby and even now his co writing credits with the James Bond movies. He has a good ear for dialogue.

I'm a screenwriter myself and hope to direct a film. I'm fifteen and have finished two scripts and am working on two more simultaneously. Though my future in the business is more than likely bleak.

[SeanConnery9000]

Yeah & he co-wrote/ co-produced Eastwood's LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA & FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS.

He also co-created the show WALKER TEXAS RANGER.

He really does engage the audience & I wish his show THE BLACK DONNELLYS hadn't been cancelled.

[cyphi1]

Why the hell would you say that your future is more than likely bleak...you've written 2 screenplays and you're ONLY 15 years old!!! Just keep going. Sheesh!!!

[lookingglassedge]

I am too hard on myself. Guess I have self esteem issues.

The economy and work market isn't looking too good either. But who knows. I have high hopes.

[darkbranches]

these interviews are great. And at a great price - free. The interviewer seems fine in my opinion. Have you ever tired getting a straight answer out of a screenwriter? They're neurotic. Self doubting. And consumed by fear...well, the good ones are anyway.

[DerrickDmx]

hey im derrick im an inspiring actor and screenwriter looking for a a partner if interested get at me please.

[Reido2828]

Where do you live?

[DerrickDmx]

michigan

[Reido2828]

I to am looking for a writing partner. But I live in Western Canada

[balazsbagi]

where?

[glocker8888]

deluca comes across more like a CIA interrogator

I expected the waterboarding to begin halfway through this "interview"

[FredSpaghetti]

these videos are great but the interviewer injects himself into it too much... sometimes interrupting and not letting the interviewee finish.  the reason we want to see an interview is to hear what these great screenwriters have to say..

[supershoe8]

In my opinion Paul Haggis is the best living screenwriter that Hollywood has to offer. He has written two Academy Award Winning Films(Million Dollar Baby, Crash), the last two bond films(Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace), three great films concerning war(Letters from Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Fathers, In the Valley of Elah), and even a romance(The Last Kiss). Those films alone place him above anyone out there today. Oh and he also created Walker Texas Ranger; and no one messes with Chuck Norris.

[RogueRotting360]

I would probably say he's one of the most overrated, average at best, though that's another story.

[NauticalFILMS]

I heard millions or thousands of screenwriter vicitm getting hand off from hollywood. I don't know if true or not. Hollywood do steal screenwriter idea without give them credit. They sell the ideas to highest bidder.

Be careful where or how you sell it.

[nickstoli]

Thanks for posting!

[anafilms]

How to sell a script?

[PecknarmLondonEnland]

I'm writing a 20min short. Already I'm on my 17th draft.

[rudy37014]

Movies are expressions of idealistic thoughts and images. Not all movies are based on reality. Most movies exaggerate the truth for entertainment purposes. If you view movies with an open mind and with the attitude that its for entertainment only, then you might be able to enjoy the film no matter what type of film it is.

[zxxxlexiexxxz]

This Guy is like my Grandads couisin or something like that lol x

[Meinfus]

Crash was not a good film at all. It was pretentious, overacted and the character's actions were unnatural: The father telling his daughter she was invulnerable for instance. What kind of a sick, idiotic, horrible parent would tell his child it is invulnerable? And Fincher's character saying out of nowhere, for no apparent reason whatsoever "f***ing black people". As for the overacting, the woman's expressions when she was being groped made me cringe.

Just a few examples out of many.

[Meinfus]

Brokeback was so superior. I have understanding for other people's opinions, really, I do, but the decision to give it to Crash over Brokeback was a blatant case of homophobia.

Brokeback had won every other award in the world: BAFTAs, Globes, Producers Guild and nearly every critics circle award in America. Crash received 69 at Metacritic and 75% at Rottentomates with Brokeback getting 89 and 86%.

[Trelli28]

why did 'MILK' win over way better films this year?

[AcidNeo]

@Trelli: If you're talking about the Oscars then it didn't win. Slumdog Millionaire won.

[Trelli28]

Oh, I actually meant best male actor. MILK won though others were better. and seemingly still in (homosexual) character, Sean Penn disrespected his own wife.

[reemlsilkworm]

INVALUABLE!

Thanks a whole lot for this fantabulous video!!

[mjbmailbox]

I learned a few important things in this clip. Thank you very much for posting. I am in the middle of writing my first screenplay and I have to do it without the support of anyone. My parents are not supportive and never was. Whatever I learn about screenwriting I learned by borrowing books from the library and watching DVDs. It's great that YouTube can be another place to learn about filmmaking and screenwriting.

Again, Thank you very much.

[montrealg04]

I support ya. Goodluck,treat your writing as if its all you got. And dont stop writing.

[thaansa3]

Mjbmailbox, keep writing. I understand that it can be a very lonely thing, but don't stop. Please, keep trying to break in and do big things. For what it's worth to you, I support your vision. I don't have to know you personally to say that.

[GPD1297]

I too am working on my first script. Good luck and stay focused. We screenwriting artist support each other KUDOS.

[TheeOneWhoTalks]

@mjbmailbox Have you finished it yet, your first screenplay?

[mjbmailbox]

@TheeOneWhoTalks

Actually, I did finish it, - last year. It took me nine months to write and edit the script. As soon as I save up some money, I am going to start making the film. Thanks for asking.

[hivernales]

@mjbmailbox Good luck to you!

[iDraw3G]

@mjbmailbox Well, it's been two years. I bet nothing came of that screenplay you were working on. Am I right?

[mjbmailbox]

@iDraw3G

No you're wrong. Why ask? Do you wish to be right?...

I wrote the script and got a copyright. I'll be moving on to the next phase of filmmaking by the end of the year.-mjbmailbox

[mussman717word]

@mjbmailbox

I'm the same way, man. You took the words right out of my mouth. Good luck, and maybe we'll be co-writers someday, lol.

[DrMBA28]

@mjbmailbox Keep at it man. Screenwriting is a journey that can feel lonesome. And I think it's a misunderstood craft. Congratulations on copyrighting the script.

[jamessfromtx]

@mjbmailbox Curious to know, how did your screenplay turn out? 

[mjbmailbox]

@jamessfromtx I don't know how to answer this question because it's unclear what you want to know. There are different elements that goes into a script and you also have to consider what kind of movie you want to make. The script is for an animated full-length feature that is different from the typical Disney film. Disney films tend to be comedic and musical whereas this script is for a film that is dramatic, serious, and action-packed. That's the kind of script I wrote.

[conewells]

Paul (lucky bastid) Haggis....

[OasisDevonAndRyan]

A true writer. CANADIAN TALENT OWNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Templar613]

Wish there was one with Mamet.

[1934388206]

never realised Haggis looks like David Thewlis, no one else see it?

[alejandro15187]

thanks for the add. Great interview. Likeable guy.

[TheRealBladeRunner]

He was great in Entourage.

[alejandro15187]

did he have a cameo? I don't remember him. I think I remember Ari or E meeting with a screenwriter in one of the episodes. Was that Paul?

[TheRealBladeRunner]

Season three part 1.

[wewerebornforbattle]

haha yeah he was; I was disappointed he didn't stick with medellin, billy walsh obviously adds a lot of character and dramatic conflict but id love to see vince actually do a project with paul writing or directing..maybe in the future

[DrMBA28]

TheRealBladeRunner: Yeah he was good in Entourage. I love when he says, "If I stuck to contracts, I'd still be working on the Facts of Life instead of hangin with my boys (gesturing to his Oscars on the shelf)."

[TheRealBladeRunner]

The dialogue is smart-arse I know.

[stableshadow]

Also smoking bong hits later on, trying to figure out a script problem on MEDELLIN...

[dinnerpianist]

Knowing when to bail (regading dropping a subject matter) is important. I think most of us cling to material that should be abandoned.

[TheRealBladeRunner]

I agree. Finding new subject matter can be hard, however.

[kiksogue]

dope thanks

[velmaj]

thank you for posting! Great video..

...that interviewer was awful! agh.

[wbhendrix]

i love everything paul haggis said, but holy hell, the inteviewer was fricken annoying! lol

[comicfl]

Thanks for putting this up. Great interview; very inspiring to any screen writer trying to break in.

[AKMCGRATH]

THE FACTS of LIFE-MY ALL-TIME FAV SHOW!

MILLION DOLLAR BABY-JUST INCREDIBLE!

CRASH-WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EXCELLENT!

PAUL IS AWESOME!