Attending a screenplay webinar with director and screenwriter of Zombieland tonight. Not sure if I’ll have a chance but anyone have a (sincere) question you’re dying to ask ‘em?
Zombieland was originally going to be tv series (pre walking dead, when there were no zombie shows), but after that didn’t work at CBS it became very appealing to film studio so they worked into a feature. Sequel they wrote right after. Tried pilot again.
The women characters came about when wanting people with survival instincts which made them think of con artists being survivors.
Also some of Woody’s best lines we’re in script but “Thank God for rednecks” was Harrelson improvisation.
Also some of Woody’s best lines we’re in script but “Thank God for rednecks” was Harrelson improvisation.
Paul Wernick Emphasizes how important the first 5-10 minutes of a screenplay are, where you need to both grab and set the tone. And to show the audience that they’re in good hands. #Zombieland #scriptchat
While Rhett had a great time with his opening cameo as an armed dude fighting zombies, Paul didn’t want to be a zombie which is what studio offered him as a cameo, said forget it.
They wanted to lean more into comedy, though there are a couple of scary scenes early to set the tone that this is a world where you can die, but tone was to be more comedic. Director wanted to cut flashback scene but it tested well and scribes thought it established women
Twinkie was chosen as Woody’s weakness partly because writers ate them growing up and because they last forever, but also because they represent the past, and a more innocent feeling.
famous cameo in Zombieland was originally written for Patrick Swayze, who sadly got too sick to do it. Also considered Mark Hamill, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Bacon, several more. Were 2 days away from shooting that scene and about to do an alternate story with grandparent zombies.
Finally at last minute they tapped into Woody Harrelson’s rolodex and he said, how about bill Murray. Who had that 800 number up could call to pitch him something you need him for. Sent script via FedEx, he read it at kinko’s. Loved but felt not enough for him to do.
He was originally to play zombie. writers pitched him, what if you were playing yourself, pretending to be zombie. Woody had him on phone, BM finally said “it takes a lot to get me out of bed in the morning” but yes. They actually rewrote it on set before this. Being on set key.
They did debate the fate of Bill’s character but decided to go for it, and crossed fingers audience would forgive them. Thought he was too funny for audience to be too mad.
Tallahassee backstory about his dog that turned out to be son, was inspired by similar storyline famously in the series finale of MASH(!). #zombieland
I asked them about their collaboration process and for advice about that. Scribes said they break the movie down with a board, throw up cards, Colors based on acts, flashbacks a 4th color, etc” Can take a couple weeks or months. Once an outline, they each write, working on diff-
Different scenes, and then they trade off the work, until they have something. They do recommend having a writing partner, someone to bounce thinks off of, support, etc. #scriptchat (didn’t have advice on finding a partner, just get one.)
Q: What one movie would they recommend script students study if picking one? Rhett Reese picked Lonsesome Dove series which he says taught him a lot about adaptation and storytelling, about character, dialogue. Paul picked Airplane! You can learn so much about comedic timing.
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