Event Recap: Big Eyes Screening and Q&A

On Wednesday, December 10, The Los Angeles Film School hosted a screening of Big Eyes, a film depicting the struggles of artist Margaret Keane (played by Amy Adams) and her mercurial, self-obsessed husband (played by Christoph Waltz). The film is an intimate illustration of passion and artistic agency, and channels remarkable performances by its two leads. Following the screening, Jeff Goldsmith, producer of the iPad app, Backstory, held a Q&A with co-writers Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander, where they described their experiences working in film.

We did a lot of research looking through news articles from the period.

Scott Alexander, describing the duo’s process while researching for a biopic.

At the end of the day it is all invention. You are turning someone’s life into a drama.

Larry Karaszewski, explaining that the process of turning someone’s life into a film means breaking down one’s story into plotpoints and story arcs.

We write 175-page first drafts, but that is where the work really begins.

While unorthodox, the duo work out all of their ideas into an immense first draft, and then work from there to sculpt it into a working script.

We are in the office writing about 8 hours a day.

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski discussed their typical writing routine. In closing, they left a bit of advice to aspiring filmmakers.

Make the movie that you want to see.

Special thanks to everyone who attended the event, and please keep checking your emails for news regarding upcoming events.