Screenwriters' Lectures: Guillermo Arriaga

Lyrical and convincing argument for authenticity over formula, from the writer of Amores Perros, 21 Grams and Babel.

Slamming tradition is Arriaga's theme, delivered here with energy. "I don’t research," he says. "No character development, no outline or treatment, ever. I just sit down and write." Sophisticated storytelling is in our normal lives, so why not in film? Be authentic and honest with your work, he urges, making a persuasive case that for screenwriting, everything you know is wrong.