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Tarantino's Weird Writing Quirk, 'Dogma' Rises Again, & Shooting Abroad 101

Author

Ryan Koo
June 09, 2025

Tarantino's Weird Writing Quirk, 'Dogma' Rises Again, & Shooting Abroad 101

Hey Filmmakers,

Welcome back! We’ve got a fun one this week, so let’s get right to our top craft stories.

First up—every writer’s process is unique, right? Like…like a snowflake, or a fingerprint, or the Netflix queue of a cinephile who loves Hitchcock and Temptation Island. Well, Quentin Tarantino’s is not only unique but also super old school. We go over what it is and why you might want to do it, too.

Also, learn all about the production of Kevin Smith’s cult classic, Dogma, for its 25th anniversary, get tips on shooting abroad from the DP of I Don’t Understand You, and discover the DIY production tactics used on the chilling found-footage feature, Man Finds Tape.

Let’s get to it!

🖌️ Screenwriting

'Pulp Fiction' Credit: Miramax

One of the coolest things about writing is the mythical history of it. It's something humankind has done since we figured out how to scrawl on tablets. And there's something romantic about sitting down with a pad and pen and pouring out your soul — just ask Quentin Tarantino.

We dug up a clip in which he discusses his writing process, and honestly, it’s inspiringly old school.

🗞️ Quick Reads for Screenwriting

• Try Our Storytelling Checklist for Screenwriters - Getting lost on the page? We have a checklist to use before your script goes wide.

• Stephen Chbosky's Writing Advice: Own Your Identity - The screenwriter and novelist has some wise words for you.

• How I Learned The Hardest Lesson of My Screenwriting Career - Our resident screenwriter explains how ripped from the headlines stories can sometimes backfire.

🎬 Directing

'Dogma' Credit: Lionsgate

Kevin Smith is an independent film icon, producing work that is eclectic, weird, and polarizing. No one can deny that he's an artist with a particular point of view, and Dogma, a film that was almost lost to time, is one of the best examples of that.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the controversial and beloved film, Smith joined "The Rich Eisen Show" to take a look back at the making of this cult classic.

🗞️ Quick Reads for Directing

• Ridley Scott Doesn't Think VFX Will Save Your Movie - They're a tool and nothing more.

• Wes Anderson Reveals Who His New Film Is Dedicated To - The auteur is so interesting and fun.

• Filmmaking Lessons from a Married Directing Team - "My films are like my ex-wives — I'm glad they exist and I never want to see them again."

🎥 Cinematography

Behind the scenes of 'I Don’t Understand You' Credit: Vertical

What do the films The Talented Mr. Ripley, House of Gucci, Under the Tuscan Sun, and The Godfather all have in common? Besides all being cinematically beautiful, they were either partially or fully shot in Italy.

The most recent film to join this list is Vertical Entertainment’s I Don’t Understand You, which originally premiered at SXSW last year and was directed by David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano. The film’s DP, Lowell A. Meyer, sat down with us to explain that, while shooting a film in a foreign country can sound daunting, it might not be as different as one would think.

Check out our chat below!

🎙️ Podcast

In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, filmmakers Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman join No Film School's GG Hawkins to discuss their chilling feature debut Man Finds Tape, premiering in the “Escape from Tribeca” section at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The Texas-based writer-director duo explores their found-footage horror hybrid, rooted in documentary realism and intimate character drama.

They dive deep into the film’s decade-long evolution, DIY production tactics, narrative experimentation, and the collaborative scrappiness that made their micro-budget creature feature resonate on a grand scale.

📚 Recommended Reads:

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