Podcast: The Screenwriters of Friends With Benefits Break It Down
Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake in Friends With Benefits
What do you do if you find out someone else is writing the exact same script you are? At the same time? You push forward, stay passionate, and keep focused on what you’re writing. “We didn’t have a strategy other than to give it our very best,” says David A. Newman, co-writer of Friends With Benefits, the romantic comedy starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Newman co-wrote the film with his writing partner Keith Merryman and director Will Gluck.
Out July 22, the film is about a couple who decides having sex is better than trying to commit, a plot similar to the afore-referenced Ashton Kutcher-starrer No Strings Attached. But what’s different about Friends With Benefits is how the writers approached the material: “Part of our goal, in a weird way, was to write an anti-romantic comedy,” says Merryman. Did they succeed? Script sat down with Newman and Merryman to discuss character, plot, romantic comedies, and getting the job done, no matter who else is working on a similar script.
Podcast highlights include:
- “The minute we thought of the idea, we knew it was going to be something big.”
- “If you’re just about the work, you cannot go wrong.”
- “If the comedy comes from character, it’ll be more satisfying.”
- “Find your voice; find your truth within your characters.”
Click here to listen:
7 Comments
I’m going to review this film and I wasn’t expecting much until I just listened to the writers of the film talking about their craft and their process of writing this script. I hope the film lives up to the interview.
Jamie Paszko | Publisher | Film Slate
Great pod cast Jenna! B
Thanks, Bruce!
If the pods were available for download on iTunes, it did be great.
Hi Abul, They are on iTunes. Check out this link here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/script-magazine/id318971821
Thanks for listening!
Jenna, what do you think of the scriptwriting contests out there where judges and readers get all sorts of new ideas, so they can copy them and write their own screenplays? do you think it’s fair?
Hi Arte, Screenwriting contests are a great way to get your work noticed. I haven’t heard of any stealing ideas, but you have to be sure to look for one with a good reputation, like Final Draft’s Big Break.
http://www.finaldraft.com/products/big-break/
Lots of prizes and industry hookups!