John Logan: Screenwriters' Lecture

20 December 11

On the 20 September, John Logan spoke to a packed audience in London as part of the 2011 BAFTA and BFI Screenwriters' Lecture Series.

Widely regarded as one of Hollywood's leading screenwriters, John Logan has collaborated with some of the most visionary directors of our time: Tim Burton, Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg.

He is notable for the diversity of his projects: in 2011 alone his writing is at the heart of animated comedy Rango, Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut Coriolanus, Bond 23 directed by Sam Mendes, and Martin Scorsese's Hugo.

What I say to to young writers is: read your Shakespeare. Read your Shelley. Read your Keats. Read your Byron. Love language.

In this video - available to watch in full on BAFTA Guru - Logan recalls working with Oliver Stone over 26 drafts of his first script, Any Given Sunday. He describes his personal working habits - rising at 4am and working until he's tired - and argues that writers shouldn't be afraid of reaching for 'the big line'.

Watch John Logan now on BAFTA Guru

_{BAFTA Guru is the Academy's online resource: inspiring minds in film, TV and games. Featuring the best in-depth video and podcasts from figures across the industries.}

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