Guy Hibbert is a BAFTA-winning screenwriter and playwright. He has written numerous stories for film and television with a particular focus on conflict and compassion in some of the most troubled areas of society. In this episode we talked about his screenplay ‘Eye in the Sky’ which is about the ethics of drone warfare, released as a film directed by Gavin Hood in 2015. Additionally we cover his route into becoming a writer after leaving school with little formalised education, his thoughts on how a screenplay can change the world, and what he thinks connects all of the stories he has written so far. It was an honour to speak with such a genuine person who cares so deeply about the art of writing, and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation!

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Writers' Workshop - How do you write a film with a twist ending?

This week, William takes a look at M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village', a film that was released with high audience expectations from a writer-director who had notoriously become so associated with the 'twist ending' that the anticipation and predictions possibly undermined the story he was trying to tell. This episode covers the allegory at the heart of this story, thoughts about how to build terror and suspense in writing, and an insight into a critical element of twist endings that might help you write a great one yourself!

Bonus: Hear how the original screenplay 'The Woods' ends.

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Want to comment, get news and join episode discussions? Join the community on Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/the-21st-rewrite. Instagram: @the21strewrite. Website contact page: https://www.the21strewrite.com/contact

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Episode navigation:

Introduction and podcast update (0:00)

Audience expectations (8:50)

This week's big question (10:57)

How an ensemble of characters makes a village (14:08)

On distractions and red herrings (20:56)

What you cannot see or describe is scarier (23:36)

The midpoint and Shyamalan's statement (26:41)

What really makes a twist work (29:26)

The best character moment in the screenplay (31:45)

Truth(s) revealed, the power of nightmares (35:55)

Who is affected by the final 'twist' (39:29)

'Insightful Interview' episode with Todd Komarnicki: a writer, director and producer best known for writing ‘Elf’, ‘Sully’ and ‘The Professor and the Madman’. We talk about Todd’s path into becoming a writer, getting feedback, and screenwriting as a craft. The second half of our conversation focuses on the modern-day classic 'Sully', turning a real-life event into a compelling narrative, the responsibilities a writer has towards the real person who the story is based on, and the themes of everyday heroism, man versus bureaucracy and the impact that Clint Eastwood had on the film.

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Want to comment, get news and join episode discussions? Join the community on Syncify: https://syncify.fm/podcast/the-21st-rewrite. Instagram: @the21strewrite. Website contact page: https://www.the21strewrite.com/contact

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Episode navigation:

Introduction - Todd's early life (1:54)

Sports and narrative (6:35)

Learning to write (8:05)

Screenwriting as a craft (13:57)

Advice to new writers (16:45)

Going beyond describing just sight and sound (18:55)

Brevity and limited page count (20:11)

Feedback and who to trust (22:23)

Rewrites and long-term career thinking (27:04)

How did 'Sully' come about? (33:22)

What stood out about Todd's pitch for 'Sully'? (38:48)

Theme of being treated as a hero when you don't feel you are one (41:03)

Sacred trust in portraying a real person (42:45)

Handing over your writing and trust (45:30)

What did Clint Eastwood contribute to the story? (48:27)

Influence of data-driven society on 'Sully' (52:04)

Legacy of 9/11 in 'Sully' (57:55)