Writing for Hollywood; screenwriter as the protagonist by Hollywood.
Mank (2020)
In the 1940's the studio RKO makes a deal giving Orsen Wells creative control of his films. Orsen Wells hires script writer Herman J Mankiewicz to write the screenplay for Citizen Kane (1941). This film goes over how it was written.
The Screenwriters (2016)
Set in the 1940's Producer Chester Mayer demands that a feature length film script be completed in 24 hours. Scriptwriters Stewart Harvey and Chip Leninskovich are at different points in their careers have to work together to create the script or they are unemployed. As they clash with how the story should go, other writers and studio employees inject their suggestions and demands making the process more challenging.
Their Finest (2016)
Based on the novel Their Finest Hour and a Half by Lissa Evens [First Published in 2009]. Set during WWII secretary Catrin Cole becomes a script writer for propaganda films on behalf of the Allies.
Trumbo (2015)
Based on the book Dalton Trumbo by Bruce Cook [First Published in 1977] Dalton Trumbo was one of the most in demand screen writers in the 1940's. Until his membership with the Communist Party USA gets him and 9 other writers and directors called to testify before Congress. Refusing to cooperate The Hollywood10 were found to be in contempt and serve prison time. Upon release Trumbo is on the Hollywood blacklist created by the Assocation of Motion Picture Producers. Unable to work he finds ways to work around it until the blacklist was done away with.
The Rewright (2014)
A burned-out screen writer Keith Michaels goes to work as a professor for Binghamton University located in upstate New York where he is assigned to teach screen writing. At first, he is just there to collect a check but over time finds he loves teaching and falls in love with a single mother taking his class.
True West (2014/2002)
Based on the stage play True West by Sam Shepard [First Published in 1981]. Brothers Austin a screen writer and his older brother Lee a drifter and small-time criminal. Must work together to complete a movie script.
The TV Set (2006)
Story about the creation of a TV pilot starting from
writing to casting, to production, and airing.
King Kong (2005)
The third version of King Kong set in the 1930's movie producer and director Carl Denham latest film is about to be canceled he creates a team to finish his film. All he needs is a lead actress and a writer. He finds actress Ann Darrow in need of work and writer Jack Driscol who he tricks ad traps on s ship he has chartered to Skull Island. Once on the island they discover it is filled with strange creatures and a native tribe. When Ann is taken by the tribe and given to their deity King Kong a giant gorilla Jack who has fallen in love with Ann, forms a rescue party to save her. This results with King Kong being captured and brought to New York. Where he escapes and resulting in a violent clash of man vs nature.
Adaption (2002)
Based on the true story of screen writer Charlie Kaufman's struggles to make a faithful adaption of the nonfiction book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean [First Published in 1998] to the screen.
New Suit (2002)
Inspired by the fairy tale The Emperor's New Clothes frustrated screen writer Kevin Taylor creates a rumor about an exciting fictional writer Jordon Strawberry and his screen play New Suit. This rumor generates a lot of interest within the industry as people put their desires into what the script and writer are about.
The Majestic (2001) Set in 1951 a Hollywood screen writer Peter Appleton has a car accident after a night of drinking and bad news he loses his memory and washes up in a small town where he is mistaken for the lost MIA son of the local movie theater owner Harry Trimble. Peter revives the local treater and brings life back to the town before he regains his memory. Having regained his memories, he has to face congress and the House on Un-American Activates after being accused of being a communist.
Chump Change (2000)
Comedy inspired by Writer, Director Stephen Burrows experiences starting out in Hollywood as he tried to find success, fame, and wealth.
Hit and Runaway (1999)
Alex Andro wants to work in movies as a writer and has stroke of luck when he finds a producer interested in his idea about a cop working undercover as a fashion model. needing help to finish his project he forms a writing partnership with a more experienced writer Elliot Springer.
The Muse (1999)
After winning a lifetime achievement award Steven Phillips has a career crisis. Not wanting to retire he hires a professional MUSE to revive his career. The Muse Sarah Little makes his life uncomfortable but in dealing with her his work improves ad he gets a new opportunity.
Just Wright (1997)
Harold McMurphy is a Hollywood tour bus driver. One day he gets the opportunity to meet his favorite actress Amanda Clark where he pretends to be a successful writer. Amanda is unhappy with a script she is attached to, so she hires him to make changes to it. Wanting to spend more time with her he agrees, and things are going well until his lies are discovered.
Doppelganger (1993)
Patrick Highsmith is a professional screen writer that is needing some extra cash. When he rents a room out to mysterious Heiress Holly Gooding they get romantically involved. Then strange things start to happen, when he learns of a murder of her parents and of her belief that her doppelganger is killing those that get too close, he has to find a way to protect himself and her from a real danger.
The Player (1992)
Based on the novel The Player by Michael Tolkin [First Published in 1988]. Griffin Mill is a studio executive that makes decisions about what scripts and pitches move forward to development. When a coworker making moves to replace him Griffin starts receiving death threats from a writer whose script that he rejected. Not knowing who stalking and threatening him Griffin thinks he knows who it is and kills him. Only for it to be the wrong person. As Griffen makes moves to save his career and evade law enforcement from identifying him as the murderer. Having done this the stalker reveals himself and has written a script about a studio executive that is being stalked by a writer whose work he rejected and kills the wrong man. Griffen likes the script but requests a Hollywood ending with the producer getting away with it.
Barton Fink (1991)
Set in the 1940's Barton Fink is a successful New York playwright that is enticed to write a screenplay for Hollywood. Only to regret it when things to turn out differently from what he thought it would be.
The Big Picture (1989)
Recent film school graduate Nick Chapman won the top prize for his short film upon graduating. This gets him some attention from Hollywood. Where he wants to make a serious drama that he has written. As he tries to make progress and making changes to get his film made. Hollywood starts to lose interest in him until he hits bottom. At this point he reconnects with a former classmate and creates an award-winning music video with an unknown band. This rekindles Hollywood's interest in him although this time he refuses to comprise on the film he wants to make.
The Lonely Lady (1983)
Based on the novel The Lonely Lady by Harold Robbind [First Published in 1976] Jerilee Randel starts as a young high school graduate with dreams of success in Hollywood as a screen writer. After gaining some success in rewriting her first husband's script their marriage falls apart. As she works towards having her own script produced, she gets involves in a series of affairs with both men and women.
Paris When It Sizzles (1964)
A screen writer hired by a producer to write a screen play for the title The Girl Who Stole The Eiffel Tower. With the deadline two days away, a temp secretary is hired to get the final product ready. The problem is that almost nothing has been written so the two of them collaborate to complete the script in time by going around Paris writing and acting out the story.
Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)
Home and work life of Robert Petrie who is the head writer of a TV comedy sketch show.
Beloved Infidel (1959)
Based on the memoir Beloved Infidel by Sheilah Graham [First Published in 1958]. During the 1930's Sheilah Graham leaves London, England for the US where she becomes a gossip cosmist and radio host. In this role she becomes involved with F. Scotts Fitzgerald who has been writing screen plays to make money to cover various bills as he struggles with alcoholism and poor health.
In a Lonely Place (1950)
Based on the novel In A Lonely Place by Dorothy B, Hughes [First Published in 1947]. Dixon Steele is a screen writer that has not had a success in some time. When a producer consults him about adapting a novel. Learning that the coat room girl read the novel while he was meeting with the producer, he takes her home to discuss her thoughts. The next day she is found dead, and Dixon is the prime suspect. However, his neighbor Laurel Grey is able to provide an alibi. The two become romantically involved and Dixon writing, and life improves however Laurel starts to have doubts about his innocence because of his short temper and that the police are still investigating him resulting in the relationship imploding.
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Joe Gillis is a screen writer that is having money problems being unable to sell his latest script. Trying to keep his car from being reposed he hides the car at an old mansion that seems empty. Finding a occupied by a former silent film star Norma Desmond. Joe flatters her and gets himself hired to help rewrite a script she has written for her return to acting. As time passes, she becomes more possessive of Joe and sabotages his work on a script that a studio is interested in. Leading to a deadly fight where he confronts her on the truth that she is a has been and that he is planning to return to his hometown.
