Team Deakins NICK KAZAN - Writer
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Apr 22, 2026 Nick Kazan, veteran screenwriter (Matilda, Reversal of Fortune) who writes largely on spec, talks craft and career. He describes how scenes arrive whole, his relationship to scripts in production, and why he often knows the ending before he starts. He reflects on adapting real lives, being a resource on set, and what qualities make a strong writer.
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First Writing Breakthrough Fueled By Pinter
- Nick Kazan's first major writing moment came after seeing Harold Pinter's play The Lover and typing a one-act play in a 45-minute burst.
- That initial 'dictation' experience later led to a play produced in college and professionally, and he still chases that trance state when writing.
Start Writing Only After Reaching Critical Mass
- Kazan rejects strict adherence to three-act structure and waits until his notes reach 'critical mass' before starting a script.
- He prepares a 'stew' of notes, scenes and character sketches and only begins once he knows the ending and the story's endpoint.
Write Consistently To Sustain A Career
- Maintain discipline and write something new every year to nurture and sustain your talent.
- Kazan credits decades of continuous personal projects and spec work for his longevity and steady income despite market changes.
