Can you name 10 screenwriters?

1. 60

   Fugitive From Nowposted 14 years ago

   In one of Norman Mailer's last interviews he stated the era of the serious writer is over, everything is television and Hollywood.  My movie loving friends agree with this, but I'm giving you the same challenge I give them. 
   
   I bet you can name ten novelist, ten playwrites, and ten poets from the top of your head without thinking.  Now name ten screenwriters from the top of your head without thinking if you can.

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2. 0

   Madame Xposted 14 years ago

   Lillian Hellman
   William Faulkner
   Julias Epstein
   Phillip Epstein
   Sidney Howard
   Ben Hecht
   Jo Swerling
   John Van Druten
   Dashiell Hammet
   Raymond Chandler
   David Koepp
   
   Most from older movies though since those are the ones I like best

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   1. 75

      twalker74posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Danshiell Hammet/ Raymond Chandler never considered themselves screenwriters. They went to Hollywood because of the lack of money they were making during the Depression. Hammet would have never work in So Cal had it not been for the success of Maltese and Chandler never cared if anyone understood his screenplays. During the filming of the Big Sleep a producer called and said there was a hole in the plot, he had never resolved the murder of one of the characters. Chandler told him to read the book cause he couldn't remember.
      
      We all know Faulkner as a novelist, but would you count him as a screen writer? maybe, but a novelist was how we identify him. And didn't Phillip Epstein and Sidney Howard make a name for themselves for stage writing first? I don't mean to tear a part your list. you are correct in naming ten. I just can't think of ten that are legitamately screenwriters first. I think Hollywood has poached the greats, early on was lucky to give carriers to good ones, but with the exception of a very few it is still (writing wise) not as populated by greats as the other mediums.
      
      Of course there is always Woody Allen. He was a writer first, TV and a few publications, but he ultimately is a film writer/director.
      
      Here's my 10
      
      Quinton Terantino
      Woody Allen
      Norman Lear
      Joss Whedon
      Spike Lee
      Larry David
      Charlie Kaufman
      George Lucas
      Barry Levinson
      Norman Lear
      Scott Kaufer

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3. 65

   apricotposted 14 years ago

   Nope.  Can't even name one.  Actually, I'd have difficulty naming ten poets as well.(embarassed red face).  I might be able to quote of the lines that have most impact on me in a book though...doesn't count, does it?

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4. 60

   Fugitive From Nowposted 14 years ago

   Apricot but I bet you can still name more poets than screenwriters.

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   1. 65

      apricotposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oh yes!  Does that let me off the hook for naming screenwriters then?  (hurray!)  I've got a poet I can name right off - Roald Dahl - ah, I love his 'revolting rhymes' collection!

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      1. 60

         Fugitive From Nowposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I told you Apricot you're off the hook.

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5. 63

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   Madame X, very impressive.  I can't name one, just as Fugitive said.

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6. 67

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   I can name only Nora Ephron, and that's cause I like her comedies.

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7. 70

   TimTurnerposted 14 years ago

   Nope.  No idea.

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8. 49

   Jackson Riddleposted 14 years ago

   Larry David... damm I suck

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9. 60

   bojanglesk8posted 14 years ago

   I can't even name one.

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10. 61

    theageofcakeposted 14 years ago

    Charlie Kaufman
    Paul Thomas Anderson
    Gordy Hoffman
    Robert Altman
    Noah Baumbach
    Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson
    Joel and Ethan Coen
    Arthur C. Clarke
    Diablo Cody
    John Cameron Mitchell
    
    Luckily there are a lot of screenwriters who are also directors, otherwise I could barely name five.

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