How I accidentally changed the way movies get made | Franklin Leonard

TL;DR

In this TED Talk, Franklin Leonard discusses the creation and impact of the Black List, a collection of beloved screenplays that challenges conventional wisdom in the film industry.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 🎥 Movie-watching is akin to a sacred ritual, similar to attending religious institutions, with millions of people feeling awe, fear, laughter, and tears while watching movies.
• 📚 Development executives in the film industry have the challenging task of finding scripts that can be turned into successful movies.
• 🔍 It is impossible to read all the scripts that are submitted to production companies, so triage must be used to identify the most promising scripts.
• 📝 The Black List, a compilation of favorite screenplays anonymously voted on by industry professionals, has become a valuable tool for identifying scripts with potential.
• 🎬 Scripts that have made it onto the Black List have gone on to become successful films, challenging conventional wisdom about what works in the industry.
• 💡 The Black List has led to the production of numerous acclaimed films, with many of them receiving Academy Award nominations and wins.
• 📝 Screenwriting talent can be found in unexpected places, disproving the notion that it is limited to a select few writers already in Hollywood.
• 🌍 The films we watch have the power to shape how we see ourselves and the world around us, challenging stereotypes and expanding our perspectives.

Questions & Answers

Q: What do millions of people do on weekends all over the world?

Millions of people in the United States and around the world leave their homes and go to movie theaters to watch movies about aliens, robots, and regular people. They experience emotions such as awe, fear, laughter, and tears and emerge with a different perspective on the world.

Q: How is movie-going compared to religious rituals?

Movie-going is often likened to a sacred ritual, similar to going to a temple, mosque, or church. It is a repeated experience that people engage in week after week, finding meaning and connection through the stories depicted on the big screen.

Q: What is the purpose of the Black List?

The Black List is a compilation of screenplays that have been voted as favorites by industry professionals. Its purpose is to showcase the value and merit of these scripts, helping to catalyze their production and challenge conventional wisdom about what makes a successful film.

Q: How has the Black List influenced the film industry?

Since its inception in 2005, the Black List has had a significant impact on the film industry. Many scripts on the list have gone on to be produced and received critical acclaim, with some even winning Academy Awards. The list has helped to shift the perspective on what types of stories and writers can be successful in Hollywood.

Q: What is the significance of challenging conventional wisdom in the film industry?

Challenging conventional wisdom in the film industry is important because it allows for new and diverse voices to be heard. Breaking away from the limited ideas of what sells or what stories are valuable can lead to more inclusive and representative films. It also provides opportunities for emerging talent to be recognized and for fresh perspectives to shape the narratives we see on the big screen.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Movie-going is seen as a sacred ritual, similar to visiting a religious institution, and can have a profound impact on how people view the world.

• The speaker created a "Black List" of beloved screenplays, which gained recognition and led to the success of many films that challenged conventional wisdom.

• The success of these films shows that the traditional ideas about what works in cinema may be wrong, and it is important to question and challenge this conventional wisdom.