DZ-07: On Rewriting - How much Bull is left in the Hustle?

Listen to learn how impactful rewriting can be. Stu and Chas look at AMERICAN BULLSHIT (the 2010 Black List spec script by Eric Warren Singer) and the film it became… AMERICAN HUSTLE (co-written and directed by David O'Russell), which garnered 10 Oscar nominations in 2014. With both Singer and O'Russell credited on HUSTLE, Stu and Chas explore what O'Russell changed and what stayed the same from BULLSHIT. By comparing the spec with the eventual on-screen product, Stu and Chas gain valuable insights into the re-writing process: character, theme, voice over, back story and more. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes. LIKE THIS EPISODE? Send us feedback. Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily. ——— FILMS AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013) — (w) David O Russell, Eric Warren Singer (d) David O Russell SCRIPTS Study the script: AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013) — David O Russell, Eric Warren Singer LINKS Script: AMERICAN BULLSHIT by Eric Warren Singer Read: The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith: 7th Annual Screenwriting Nominees Q&A Read: The 2010 BLACK LIST - AMERICAN BULLSHIT is 8th, in between MARGIN CALL and ARGO YouTube: American Hustle - Science Oven* Read: Line by Line: No passive verbs! by Khrob Edmonds Read: DGA Quarterly: Picturing Life with David O Russell ——— More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons. If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, or a review on Podchaser. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. Full show notes at: https://draft-zero.com/2014/dz-07/