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Moving Pictures

For fans and filmmakers, by fans and filmmakers.

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  • Can You Really Teach Screenwriting?

    Can You Really Teach Screenwriting?

    Nature versus nurture
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Dec 23, 2024
    Hawaiian Punch Line

    Hawaiian Punch Line

    Among the many perks enjoyed over several decades as a UCLA screenwriting professor, few compete with the visits I made throughout the ’90s…
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Dec 17, 2024
    The Biggest Mistake a Writer Can Make is to Pay Attention to Hollywood Trends

    The Biggest Mistake a Writer Can Make is to Pay Attention to Hollywood Trends

    A recipe for frustration and failure in the movie business
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Dec 3, 2024
    Stumbling and Bumbling Your Way to Success

    Stumbling and Bumbling Your Way to Success

    Neil Simon guest-lectured in my UCLA screenwriting class. One of the students asked him, “Do you laugh at your own jokes?”
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Nov 27, 2024
    What’s More Important: Character or Story?

    What’s More Important: Character or Story?

    Maybe it’s a false dichotomy or a trick question
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Nov 22, 2024
    Want to Be a Better Screenwriter? Play God.

    Want to Be a Better Screenwriter? Play God.

    The view is great
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Oct 26, 2024
    Essential Scenes in Essential Movies

    Essential Scenes in Essential Movies

    How to woo the movie-going world
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Oct 10, 2024
    Definitely Maybe

    Definitely Maybe

    A great way to break into Hollywood
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Oct 2, 2024
    Why I Love Cold Callers

    Why I Love Cold Callers

    And maybe you should, too
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Sep 27, 2024
    Why a Movie’s Setting Doesn’t Matter

    Why a Movie’s Setting Doesn’t Matter

    Trust the legal experts
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Sep 20, 2024
    Should Screenwriters Have Sympathy For Nazis?

    Should Screenwriters Have Sympathy For Nazis?

    Those who have endured my lectures, books, blog posts and podcasts, or even merely bumped into me in the street, know that a key principle…
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Sep 13, 2024
    Dialogue Yes; Dialect No

    Dialogue Yes; Dialect No

    Collaborator Is Not Always a Dirty Word
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Sep 7, 2024
    In Hollywood, It’s Not What You Know But Who You Know — Right?

    In Hollywood, It’s Not What You Know But Who You Know — Right?

    Dispelling one of the biggest myths in town
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Sep 4, 2024
    Six Friends Every Writer Needs

    Six Friends Every Writer Needs

    Your success depends on it
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Aug 22, 2024
    A Lesson from My Movie-Star Sister

    A Lesson from My Movie-Star Sister

    Filmmakers, take note
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Aug 14, 2024
    The Difference Between Original Screenplays and Adapted Screenplays

    The Difference Between Original Screenplays and Adapted Screenplays

    Nothing!
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Aug 5, 2024
    Over- and Under-Appreciated Movies

    Over- and Under-Appreciated Movies

    Less Altman, more Hackford
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    Richard Walter
    Jul 26, 2024
    Here Are Some More Movies That Are Over-Appreciated

    Here Are Some More Movies That Are Over-Appreciated

    Oscar winners shall not be spared
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Jul 19, 2024
    Here Are Some Movies That Are Over-Appreciated

    Here Are Some Movies That Are Over-Appreciated

    Sorry Kubrick and Coppola
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    Richard Walter
    Jul 8, 2024
    Adapting Novels Into Movies

    Adapting Novels Into Movies

    Part 2
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Jun 20, 2024
    Hollywood Power-Players: Please Stop Spanking Writers

    Hollywood Power-Players: Please Stop Spanking Writers

    There is a sorry old joke: those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    May 29, 2024
    A Classic Hollywood Strategy: Stumble and Bumble Your Way to Success

    A Classic Hollywood Strategy: Stumble and Bumble Your Way to Success

    Decades in the past, when Neil Simon guest-lectured in my UCLA screenwriting class, one of the students asked him, “Do you laugh at your…
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    May 20, 2024
    If You’re A Writer, You Must Be Ready to Play God

    If You’re A Writer, You Must Be Ready to Play God

    Prepare yourself to win hearts and minds
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    May 6, 2024
    Want To Be Outrageously Successful in Hollywood? Train as a Hack and a Whore

    Want To Be Outrageously Successful in Hollywood? Train as a Hack and a Whore

    In other words, be more like Shakespeare
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Apr 30, 2024
    Here’s How to Query (and Not Query) a Hollywood Agent

    Here’s How to Query (and Not Query) a Hollywood Agent

    Three examples
    Go to the profile of Richard Walter
    Richard Walter
    Apr 10, 2024
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