Screenwriter BILLY RAY: Tricks of the Trade

Billy Ray has written or co-written the screenplays for Color of Night, Volcano and Hart's War and also created the sci-fi series Earth 2. In 2003, Ray wrote and directed Shattered Glass, which was based on the true story of fraudulent journalist Stephen Glass. Most recently, he found himself back in the writer/director role for Breach, a story based on real-life FBI agent-turned-Soviet spy Robert Hanssen. In this intriguing interview, listen as Ray touches on his inspiration from movie soundtracks, taking acting classes, genius by osmosis and writing for The Jetsons.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• script
• movie
• breach
• interview
• screenwriter

[fatnathan]

writers who don't enjoy writing need to stop trying to impress other writers and write for themselves. I don't mean to disregard everything they have learned about the craft but jesus pick a subject matter that you enjoy. That is what seporates the men from the boys.

[sitedecinema]

Loved your explaining on SUBTEXT, Mr. Ray

[k97cross]

This is my favorite interview of the series.  I draw much inspiration from Mr. Ray. He needs to direct more often.

Also, they need to interview more screenwriters for a second series/season. For example, Christopher Nolan or Jonathan Nolan.

[MrFrankBullitt]

Volcano!!!!

[knutsensen]

This is what happens when you're not born to be a writer. The guy forced it for years, untill he eventualy managed to knock off semi-decent scripts.

[avp2gold]

@DrMBA28 I would say 99.99993%

[JohnnyDaytonMusic]

This guy knows what he's talking about. Better than a lot of the screenwriting how-tos.

[DrMBA28]

@avp2gold That is somewhat true for 80% of successful PEOPLE. Lot's of people work hard but where you were born and who you were born to can give you that extra edge to succeed (or extra impediment).

[avp2gold]

"Thank you, daddy, for being an agent and pulling all the strings for me at an early age and giving me all the contacts I needed!" So many of these "screenwriters" have silverspoons. Probably why so many bad movies go into a production.

[TheWorksful]

super helpful.

[davidgem]

What's so funny about subtext, is that I got a coverage on my screenplay and the complained about my dialogue being "cryptic." At first I took that as a compliment. Now I'm just fucking confused!!!

[vicehoundelite]

What did he mean at 2:32 by setting up his first pitch when he became a professional writer to quit his other job? Does he mean his own pitch company? I know what pitch is but i'm just a little confused.