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Can You Really Teach Screenwriting?

Can You Really Teach Screenwriting?

Nature versus nurture
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Richard Walter
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…
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Richard Walter
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
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Richard Walter
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?”
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Richard Walter
What’s More Important: Character or Story?

What’s More Important: Character or Story?

Maybe it’s a false dichotomy or a trick question
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Richard Walter
Want to Be a Better Screenwriter? Play God.

Want to Be a Better Screenwriter? Play God.

The view is great
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Richard Walter
Essential Scenes in Essential Movies

Essential Scenes in Essential Movies

How to woo the movie-going world
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Richard Walter
Definitely Maybe

Definitely Maybe

A great way to break into Hollywood
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Richard Walter
Why I Love Cold Callers

Why I Love Cold Callers

And maybe you should, too
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Richard Walter
Why a Movie’s Setting Doesn’t Matter

Why a Movie’s Setting Doesn’t Matter

Trust the legal experts
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Richard Walter
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…
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Richard Walter
Dialogue Yes; Dialect No

Dialogue Yes; Dialect No

Collaborator Is Not Always a Dirty Word
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Richard Walter
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
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Richard Walter
Six Friends Every Writer Needs

Six Friends Every Writer Needs

Your success depends on it
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Richard Walter
A Lesson from My Movie-Star Sister

A Lesson from My Movie-Star Sister

Filmmakers, take note
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Richard Walter
The Difference Between Original Screenplays and Adapted Screenplays

The Difference Between Original Screenplays and Adapted Screenplays

Nothing!
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Richard Walter
Over- and Under-Appreciated Movies

Over- and Under-Appreciated Movies

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

Here Are Some More Movies That Are Over-Appreciated

Oscar winners shall not be spared
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Richard Walter
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
Adapting Novels Into Movies

Adapting Novels Into Movies

Part 2
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Richard Walter
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.
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Richard Walter
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
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
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Richard Walter
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
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Richard Walter
Here’s How to Query (and Not Query) a Hollywood Agent

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

Three examples
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Richard Walter
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