On Story
An inside look at the creative process behind some of our most popular and beloved movies and television shows. All episodes feature recorded conversations between acclaimed and award-winning screenwriters, TV creators, and filmmakers from the Austin Film Festival's annual conference and year round events.
Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner, dissects the culture, identity, and status quo of the show, and the psychology behind its beloved antihero, Don Draper. Followed by Faraday Okoro's short film, Full Windsor, about a young boy's quest to preserve a meaningful piece of his past.
True Detective director, Cary Fukunaga, and Fargo creator, Noah Hawley, discuss the rise of the television anthology series and how to execute a compelling balance of plot, character, and structure within the bounds of one season. Followed by Elaine Poon's short film, Entrain about Laurent, a young man who absorbed in his own world, draws the attention of a fellow train passenger who shares his interest in rhythm, despite their obvious language barrier.
John Ridley reflects on his beginnings and the inspirations that have shaped his approach to screenwriting, with a special look into his journey adapting the Academy Award-winning script for 12 Years a Slave. Accompanied by Alex Clark's short film, Siren, about two ambulance paramedics faced with an emergency that's out of this world.
Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) and Alvaro Rodriguez (Machete) deconstruct the shock, suspense, and subtleties of David Cronenberg's The Fly and how his execution has contributed to the legitimacy and intellect of the horror genre.
Terry George (writer/director Hotel Rwanda; writer In the Name of the Father) reflects on the art of fictionalizing fact and placing ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances as a storytelling vehicle. Followed by Dean Loxton's short film, Under, about a train operator struggling to deal with a traumatic event and finding solace in an unsuspecting way.
Beau Willimon (creator House of Cards) and Eli Attie (writer The West Wing) debate politically- driven narratives, power struggles, and dramatizing the truths and fictions that comprise ideologically-charged stories. Accompanied by Topher Field's short film, The Hustle, offering a glimpse inside a swindler's artful technique and deception.
Jay Duplass (writer/director Jeff Who Lives at Home, The Puffy Chair) recollects his journey with brother Mark Duplass onto the DIY indie film scene, along with their specific approach to storytelling. Followed by Future Hero, the story of a father, son, and a time-travelling killer android, in a short film by Ramin Serry.
Danny Rubin, co-writer of "Groundhog Day," deconstructs the film's progression from script to screen and talks about his collaboration with the film's co-writer and director Harold Ramis.
Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, co-writers of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, discuss re-imagining the popular sci-fi franchise and their delicate approach to depicting the protagonist's journey.
Tom Schulman, writer of Dead Poet's Society, deconstructs the story's journey from script to screen, along with his unique working relationships on set with Robin Williams and director Peter Weir.
Tommy Lee Jones, writer, director, and protagonist of The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, reflects on the making of the film, accompanied by some of his cast and crew. Followed by Roy Rutngamlug's short film, Formosa, TX, about a first generation Asian-American's fleeting encounter with an out-of-towner who stumbles upon his family's diner.
Scott Frank (Get Shorty, Out of Sight) reflects on his diverse career writing thrillers and pulp films, and his approach to developing complex characters in search of their identity.
Writers from the hit show Justified discuss adapting Elmore Leonard's short story for television and the evolution of the show's tone, rhythm, and setting.
Peter Gould, writer, producer, and director of Breaking Bad and co-creator of its spinoff Better Call Saul discusses shifting gears, schemes, and swindles within the world of Saul Goodman pre-Walter White.
Vince Gilligan, creator of the AMC hit series Breaking Bad, reflects upon the show's hyper-serialized storytelling as well as his inspirations and influences. Accompanied by Victor Nores' short film, Euthanas Inc.
Frank Darabont, writer and director of such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Mist, discusses adapting works by Stephen King and keeping his characters at the core of the story. Followed by Jeffrey DeChausse's short film, Anniversario, trailing a woman's visit to her two favorite hairdressers on the day of her 45th wedding anniversary for what becomes the most important makeover of their lives.
An iconic example of its genre, Alien's tension, pacing, and craftsmanship are deconstructed by veteran screenwriters John August and Ashley Miller. Accompanied by Jason Mann and Frieda Luk's mystical short film, Delicacy, following a culinary connoisseur and his loyal chef as they dangerously navigate into the unknown with hopes to obtain a rare treat.
House of Cards creator, Beau Willimon, discusses writing for Netflix, working with David Fincher, and delving into the psychology of narrative power struggles. Artiz Moreno's short film, Colera, follows with an ominous glimpse of a town that decides to take the law into their own hands, without considering the consequences.
Rian Johnson, Richard Kelly, and Roberto Orci, masters of weaving time travel into film, dissect the elements that make for a believable "operating system" when writing a comprehensible screenplay timeline. A Conversation About Cheating with my Time Traveling Future Self follows, with one man's attempt to better his life by traveling back in time to offer himself advice.
Callie Khouri reflects upon her experience working with Ridley Scott and writing the classic female-driven-buddy film, Thelma and Louise. Followed by Avram Dodson's short film, Pistachio Milk, a coming of age tale about a young suitor using only his wits and a bottle of pistachio milk to pursue his love interest.
The Clint Eastwood/David Peoples classic Unforgiven is deconstructed by Into the West's Kirk Ellis and Apaloosa's Robert Knott as they explore its gritty action, ambiguous morality, and the tried-and-true tropes of its genre. Christian Baker's short film, The Well, follows suit, trailing a young Civil War soldier stationed alone on the US/Mexico faced with nothing but his own demons.
Men in Black writer, Ed Solomon, explores the genesis of the movie and its journey from pre-production through post. Solomon documents his experiences getting fired and re-hired on the project, the evolution of the story, and working with the cast and crew.
Ray McKinnon, creator of the Sundance Channel's breakout hit, Rectify, details how to capture the personality of a culture through establishing strong characters, tone, and atmosphere. The short film Spanola Pepper Sauce Company follows, directed by McKinnon and written by Graham Gordy, suggesting there's more brewing in Spanola, AK than just its fine pepper sauce cooking.
Ron Nyswaner recounts the social impact of his screenplay Philadelphia, a bold film released during a delicate time in history. Followed by Oliver Kember's Puzzled, about a young boy whose only chance at survival on the playground is to outsmart the other children.
Frank Pierson's Academy Award winning Dog Day Afternoon elevates the classic crime genre through its exploration of textured characters and rationale. Screenwriters Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Peter Craig (The Town) examine the story's masterful reveal of information and its surprising, but inevitable and honest conclusion.
Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential) discuss the modern day Neo Noir - a genre-bending response to the Film Noirs of the 1940s and 50s - and dissect the basic styles, impulses, themes, and tones that embrace this form of storytelling.
Filmmaking legends Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme pay tribute to Robert Downey Sr.'s cult classic Greaser's Palace. Next, Andrew Napier's short film, Grandma's Not a Toaster, where a whiskey-guzzling mother-to-be aims to enlist her neurotic brother in attempt to thieve from their ailing grandmother's fortune.
In this second On Story installation featuring Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonathan Demme, the duo look back on the vision, style, influences, and creative passion for Demme's The Silence of the Lambs, Stop Making Sense, Rachel Getting Married and Something Wild.
his first episode of On Story includes new interviews from Randall Wallace, Writer-Director, Secretariat; Lawrence Kasdan, Screenwriter, Empire Strikes Back; Shane Black, Writer-Director, Lethal Weapon, Long Kiss Goodnight, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang; and the short film Northeast Front, an Austin Film Festival 2010 Official Selection, by Angela Torres Camerena.
In episode 2 of "On Story," the creative minds behind STAR TREK, TRANSFORMERS, EL MARIACHI, and WATCHMEN discuss the challenge of creating fantastical worlds and getting the audience to suspend their disbelief. Featuring David Hayter, Roberto Orci, Damon Lindelof, and Robert Rodriguez. Film: Tadpoles by Miguel Alvarez
In episode 3 of "On Story," the creative minds behind TO DIE FOR, THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION, and THE HANGOVER discuss comedy in film. Featuring Harold Ramis, Judd Apatow, Buck Henry, and Jon Lucas. Film: Sleep Study by Kerri Lendo and John Merriman and MY BIGGEST WEAKNESS by Bradley Jackson.
In episode 4 of "On Story," the creative minds behind APOLLO 13, SCHINDLER'S LIST, and A BEAUTIFUL MIND discuss the inspiration behind these classic, Academy Award winning films. Featuring 'Ron Howard' and Steven Zaillian.
Episode 5 of "On Story," the creative minds behind UNFORGIVEN, A PERFECT WORLD, and 3:10 TO YUMA discuss creating westerns with resonance. Featuring John Lee Hancock, David Peoples, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. Film: WESTERN by Lucas Millard
The creative minds behind the shows Mad Men, The Wire, and Treme discuss historical and modern day relevance in television dramas.
War in film is discussed by the creative minds behind Red Dawn, Born on the 4th of July and Apocalypse Now. Featuring Oliver Stone and John Milius.
Creating a film from script to screen is discussed by the writer/directors behind Slumdog Millionaire, Up in the Air, and The Brothers McMullen. Featuring Danny Boyle, Jason Reitman, and Ed Burns.
Working within the studio system is discussed by the local filmmakers behind Office Space, Lonesome Dove and El mariachi. Featuring Mike Judge, Bill Wittliff and Robert Rodriguez.
Developing and understanding heroes and villains is discussed by the creative minds behind RAMBO, LETHAL WEAPON, BRAVEHEART, and Dexter. Featuring Álvaro Rodríguez, Shane Black, Randall Wallace, John Turman, and Melissa Rosenberg. Films: WEIGHT OF THE WORLD by Jenny Goddard and EULOGY MAKER by Leslie Langee.
| Location | United States of America |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Release | 2011-04-16 |
| Producer | Austin Film Festival |