Gonzo Writing Tips, David Leitch Filmmaking Advice, & How to Use Extreme Long Shots

🖋️ Screenwriting

3 Writing Tips From Hunter S. Thompson

One of the raconteurs of writing is Hunter S. Thompson. He had such a strong voice, a crazy life, and his work just got us dialed into worlds that we were not brave enough to enter ourselves.

The guy had such a big personality and wrote so many important things that we put together some of his best writing tips that everyone can pick up from his enduring legacy.

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🗞️ Quick Reads for Screenwriting

• How Pulp Fiction Hacks the Three-Act Structure - You thought Pulp Fiction broke all the rules? Turns out, it plays by the oldest one in the book—the three-act structure.

• How 'Columbo' Absolutely Nails Character Introductions - This advice will make your screenwriting stronger.

• Glenn Gers’ 6-Question Test That Breaks Bad Stories - How six deceptively simple questions can turn a messy idea into a story with spine, urgency, and soul.

🎬 Directing

5 Filmmaking Tips From David Leitch

David Leitch is one of the most exciting directors working today. He's got a distinct point of view, came up through Hollywood as a stuntman, and has worked on some of the most important movies of all time.

There are so many lessons we can learn from him, so let’s dive into some of his best advice for aspiring filmmakers and directors.

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🗞️ Quick Reads for Directing

• What If Alfred Hitchcock Directed a Modern Thriller Today? - A deep dive into how Alfred Hitchcock’s thrillers might look in today’s era of streaming, CGI, and global storytelling.

• 10 Transformative Female Directors Who Broke Cinema’s Glass Ceiling - From arthouse masterpieces to blockbuster hits, these women are shaping the future of cinema.

• Alexander Payne Thinks Your Movie Is Too Long - The director talks about movie length in a recent interview.

 🎥 Cinematography

How to Punctuate Narratives With an Extreme Long Shot

In filmmaking, shot selection determines the viewer's perceived distance from the subject. A close shot brings us intimately near, while a long shot pulls us back to observe from afar. Different shot sizes communicate beyond just visuals. They’re a filmmaker’s tool to steer audience emotions as they watch your film.

In this article, we go over the extreme long shot: how to capture it and how to use it.

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📚 Recommended Reads:

• How This TV Writer Learned How to Write Extremely Fast
  Learn from TV mastermind Steven Levitan of Modern Family.

• A Comprehensive Glossary for Playwrights
  Want to write plays? These are the definitions to know.

• This is How Sound Designers Made the Iconic Godzilla Roar
  Unmasking the monster’s voice: the surprising tricks behind cinema’s most famous roar

• David Lynch's Message for Activist Filmmakers
  And it's going to help you sort out the theme of your script.

• 3 Easy Tips That Will Give You a Better Chance in Screenwriting Contests
  Hear it straight from the Raindance founder.

• Explore more articles → Visit No Film School