Doing a rewrite on a script today (and for the last week+) and it’s been really - REALLY - fun. Creative fulfillment was a struggle for decades, TBH, because there’s a HUUUUGE difference between creating someone else’s thing for a company vs creating something you want to exist.
Clay Kaytis sitting at a wood table that is set up for podcasting with two microphones, a monitor, and dark curtains in the background.
Finally got a chance to set up my new podcast studio for the first time. About halfway to where I can start testing.
This should give you an idea of what to expect from me at Now Go Make A Movie!
When A Few Good Men came out, I read how Reiner questioned every line and word as he developed the script with Aaron Sorkin - a commitment to truth and the heart of storytelling that I have thought of on every project I’ve done. Reiner was is a giant. He will be missed and forever appreciated. 5/5
When we made The Angry Birds Movie, I was so stoked that our editor Kent Beyda’s first film was Spinal Tap. I’ve taken a picture at the “I’ll have what she’s having” table in Katz’s Deli in NYC, and just last week I looked at When Harry Met Sally in preparation for a meeting about a rom-com. 4/5
I saw The Princess Bride in theaters, then countless times on VHS. The number of times my dad quoted “Would anybody like a Peanut?” was inconceivable. I’ve pitched movies with “It’s a combination of Princess Bride and…” When I want my wife to know I would do anything for her, it’s “As you wish.” 3/5
I can still viscerally remember wincing along with a theater full of strangers as Kathy Bates took a sledgehammer to James Caan’s ankle. 2/5
I feel I can somehow, for myself, soften the blow of Rob Reiner’s death by reflecting on how impactful his work was in my life, specifically through the films he directed throughout my Jr. High and High School years. Stand By Me showed me what real friendship could be. 1/5
When you hear the Jurassic Park theme song, what line do you quote?
An image of the top three Kids Movies on Netflix: 1) K-Pop Demon Hunters 2) In Your Dreams 3) The Christmas Chronicles
Let’s GOOOOOOOOOO!
The Christmas Chronicles is warming up early on Netflix this year!
I wonder if The Macy’s Parade will ever bring the Angry Birds Red balloon out of retirement. The photo on the left was the last time I saw him in 2018, when we were designing the balloons for The Christmas Chronicles. @f3rgal.bsky.social
Finally reached the end of my first draft and the final video in my Writing a Screenplay series!
Writing a Screenplay - Day 30 - FADE OUT / THE END
youtu.be/47ySFDYjKks
Writing a Screenplay - Day 29 - My first draft is finally COMPLETE!
youtu.be/YZfQjwp1FRE
Writing a Screenplay - Day 28 - One last pass on my first draft and a mustache
What a nice reminder. Thanks @david-william4.bsky.social! & here I was going through the day with zero awareness that today’s the anniversary of A Christmas Story Christmas! To commemorate, here’s a photo from right before filming the first shot and another of the last shot before we wrapped.
Writing a Screenplay - Day 27 - Theme in a script
Writing a Screenplay - Day 26 Pt 2 - have someone you trust read your work
Writing a Screenplay - Day 26 Pt 1 - Monica’s reading my first draft right now
Writing a Screenplay - Day 25 - I finished my first draft! What’s next?
Writing a Screenplay - Day 24 - when stuck, write the scenes you know have to be there first
Writing a Screenplay - Day 23 Pt 3 - The end is in sight!
I wrote an article expanding on a recent Bluesky thread:
kaytis.substack.com/p/why-dont-s...
Writing a Screenplay - Day 23 Pt 2 - Building a Habit of Doing
Writing a Screenplay - Day 23 Pt 1 - This made me cry
@lightboxexpo.com was huge, packed full of enthusiastic artists, and exciting as always. @bobbychiu.bsky.social has created something special to look forward to every year. Here’s our panel on Friday, you can’t see the screaming, cheering audience, but they were there, trust me.
Writing a Screenplay - Days 21 & 22 - When to use CAPITALIZATION
Writing a Screenplay - Day 20 - Length schmength
My take pt. 2: In this streaming reality, if it takes ads to make profits, and profits allow for more movies to be made, it’s a trade I’m willing to make, because making more movies is better than what’s happening now. (I hate all of this, but it’s sadly where we are and where we are heading.) /END
