The Empire Film Podcast Tony Gilroy Screenwriting Special
6 snips
Oct 14, 2013 
Tony Gilroy, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter known for the Bourne films and Michael Clayton, shares insights into his creative process. He openly discusses battling writer's block and the importance of idea selection in filmmaking. Gilroy critiques Hollywood's current landscape, emphasizing the divide between blockbusters and indie films, and laments the decline of mid-budget projects. He reflects on the stunning filmmaking era of the late '60s to early '80s, his unique experiences growing up in a writer's household, and the challenges of adapting real-life figures for the screen.
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Work When You Really Want To
- Go to your desk whenever you genuinely want to work, regardless of time of day.
- Use hunger for the work as your cue rather than a fixed schedule.
Why That Film Era Felt Unique
- The late 60s–early 80s film era combined master technicians with wild material outside studio constraints.
- Modern separation of big-budget craftspeople and indie filmmakers reduces cross-pollination and bold mid-range films.
Champion Big Smart Films
- Root for 'big smart' movies that combine art and scale to reset what studios will fund.
- A breakout like Matrix can revive studios' appetite for ambitious mid-range films.