What delegates learned from past sessions (video in the network for all delegates to watch)
- David Yates started out as a writer. Finding it difficult he decided to reorient his career. He still loves working with writers however. His first film propelled his career forward. Is attracted to scripts with great characters and good stories which come with great writing. He looked for a great writer to work with by using the first film foundation.
- According to David Yates it usually takes him to read 20-30 pages into a script before he can tell whether it will be good or bad.
- Writing about what you know about can often make a big difference.
- Prefers to read things by newer writers who can often deliver what he feels are fresher ideas. He doesn’t feel that there is the same level of vigour from writers “who have been around the block a few times”.
- Is very proud of his TV dramas but grew tired of doing work with the same rhythm.
- Doesn’t feel he is very good at pitching films.
- The scripts for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows were still being written as production was taking place.
- David Yates was brought in to direct Harry Potter due to the need to bring some maturity to the series.
- His decision to split up the last two films came from the fact that there was too much content in each film and also they wouldn’t fit well together in terms of content.
- David Yates says that you cannot make a good quality film if the script is bad you cannot make a good film. “For me it starts and finishes with a great script.”
- Often speaks about the style of story setting a tone that forms an engine for the film making process.
- Today you have the technology to make a movie from your cell phone. In response to the interviewer saying that the number of people doing that would make it harder to get noticed David said “The people who have a real talent will shine out.”
- He doesn’t like working with writers during production just in case they decide to get territorial. He does however take time to show them rough edits so they have an idea of how everything is being adapted.
Posted by a member of the London Screenwriters’ Festival team.
