Future of StoryTelling (FoST) Discovering Great Stories with The Black List — Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston
Mar 13, 2025
Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, and Randy Winston, its creative director, dive into the platform's evolution from film to publishing. They discuss the importance of providing feedback and connections for writers, revealing how The Black List empowers emerging voices in both industries. The duo explores innovative storytelling approaches, emphasizing the value of original narratives over traditional metrics. They also tackle the challenges of diversity in publishing, offering insights for aspiring writers on navigating the complex landscape.
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The Power of Quirky Films
- The Black List champions quirky, unique films often rejected by traditional Hollywood for being too unconventional.
- These films achieve significant financial success, demonstrating the potential of overlooked stories.
Expanding to Publishing
- The Black List expanded into publishing after recognizing a similar need for discovering good writing in the book industry.
- Franklin Leonard recruited Randy Winston, an expert from the publishing world, to lead this expansion.
Using the Black List Platform
- Use the Black List platform to list and host your writing projects, making them searchable for industry professionals.
- Upload your manuscript and excerpt for evaluation by vetted readers and track project statistics.