Amy Schumer, Aaron Sorkin and More Writers on THR's Roundtables | Oscars 2016
Roundtables are back! Tune in Monday, May 23rd for the premiere of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2016 Emmy Roundtable season, and every day after for new Roundtable videos. Who do you want to see on this season’s Roundtables? Tell us in the comments below!
Some of the past's years most notable screenwriters join for The Hollywood Reporter's Writer Oscar Roundtable. The writers include Amy Schumer ('Trainwreck'), Aaron Sorkin ('Steve Jobs'), Emma Donoghue ('Room'), Tom McCarthy ('Spotlight'), Meg LeFauve ('Inside Out') and Nick Hornby ('Brooklyn'). Sorkin has an Oscar for 'The Social Network', Tom McCarthy now has two Oscars for 'Spotlight', and Hornby has a previous nomination for 'An Education'. 'Trainwreck' stars Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson and LeBron James. 'Steve Jobs' stars Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels. 'Brooklyn' stars Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson and Julie Walters. 'Room' stars Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy and Sean Bridgers. 'Inside Out' stars Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader and Phyllis Smith. 'Spotlight' stars Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Brian d'Arcy James and Liev Schreiber.
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Its funny watching McCarthy ask better questions than the interviewer
+Mac Tilly tom mccarthy lol
Well he was the star journalist in the Baltimore Sun before this xD (Really hope atleast one person gets it)
These Interruptors are terrific at their job. Keep it up!
+Nitish Munamala lol
lol
the one guy didn't but Stephen is the worst
How dare he interrupt Sorkin...
Aaron Sorkin has a commanding presence in a good way. Very intriguing person to listen to.
I wish Stacey Wilson would moderate all of the THR Roundtables. She keeps the conversation flowing more naturally. Just a better interviewer overall.
I concur!
When they were pronouncing the names at the start, I just cringed, it was like I could hear the confusion when he said Donoghue
+Kristine Baisa I think she left the Hollywood Reporter :'(
+POObumpoopo You're right! I just saw that she works for New York Magazine now. Hopefully she'll have better opportunities there. She's a good journalist.
Aaron Sorkin is such a smart guy. Love listening to this guy talk
I love when they discuss how they didn't consider the audience when they were writing the story. That is true art - and what I want to hear.
+Natalya Samsonova So many people get butt hurt over this but fail to realize these people are artist and THEIR films.
+Natalya Samsonova Good God. Tom Cooper blew me away when he said he made movies for audiences, then Ridley comes straight in and said "I don't do that.". Great table that was.
+Natalya Samsonova I love that as well. I like considering films or books or writing as something that writers create as expressions of themselves, and they share their expressions with others, but they don't do it to please an audience or masses or anything like that. It's admirable even though it shouldn't be, it should be the norm.
+pSmall360 And other people's money that they make these films with :p
vladxx2 Every artist, painters, musicians, sculptures, whatever have their projects funded by other people. A painters whole livelihood is provided by a benefactor or gallery owner but it's still their painting, still their idea to run with how they please. So what's your point?
Did their "best and worst Twitter experiences" really just get asked?
+Patrick Bateman It's probably just because social media is a massive influence on today's culture. They're just going along with the times
Aaron Sorkin has such a presence
Bring back Stacey!! She's the best moderator & does not ask the same lame questions like "what was your toughest moment making this movie" again & again.
"Were any of the death threats real?" - Stephen Galloway
Made my day
Amy sitting at the table is the funniest joke she’s ever been a part of.
THR Roundtables have such incredible potential. I understand why the interviewer's feel the need to have control of the interview, but just IMAGINE what kind of great conversation we would get from these writers asking their fellow writers questions? Those are always my favorite parts of the interviews, because the questions and discussions are better.
Tom McCarthy asked all the best questions. And he wasn't even an interviewer. Somebody had to pick up the slack.
Even Amy is like "What am I doing here?" D:
Also, I think Amy came across well in this. She is obviously out of her element (which she acknowledges), but she doesn't become an obnoxious asshole like Lena Dunham tends to in these settings.
+MrRandomTuber yeah, Lena decides to totally monopolize these things, bringing attention to herself by overly praising her fellow panelists in a way that is very self-serving. she's really become very narcissistic.
+MrRandomTuber why do people tend to compliment someone by throwing shade at someone else? lena dunham is not even in this roundtable, no need to bring her up. so much hate for people we dont even know, i dont get it
***** oh so you'd have to eat shit first to understand how great a pizza tastes like? great concept you got there. Don't agree with you, I just think the internet is full of hate and there is no reason to say some things the way you did, it's as simple as that. no need to get all nervous, we just have different opinions.
***** let's not, i don't intend on continuing this conversation with you. it was never meant to be a conversation in the first place, i was just putting out there what i think about comments like yours. bye now
+MrRandomTuber Projecting your personality on to Dunham.
I wish Alex Garland (writer of Ex Machina) was at this table instead of Schumer.
The Dude You should change your thing to a picture of Lebowski
Schumer is a funny addition!
Stephen Galloway is such a tool. If you want to ask "provocative" questions, at least know your facts first. (Referring in particular to the exchange with Sorkin)
+teaber and then he interrupts him to switch the topic because he knows Sorkin would run him to the ground. What a dick, if you're going to say something to piss someone off then back it up.
+Dream1ng Completely agree, Sorkin was wiping the floor with Galloway and so he CUT SORKIN OFF almost mid sentence. It makes him seem very petty and childish. He hinders the round tables he leads more than he helps them. Galloway might be better at leading stricter one on one interviews, but the round tables make him look like a jerk and like he didn't do his research. Not going to call him a tool though, who knows how Galloway is in real life.
+teaber I don't mean to sound cruel, but I have yet to see a round table with Galloway where I wasn't very disappointed with him. THR is able to get these amazing artists together, but he is not able to ask them any interesting questions, yet he insists on dominating the conversations. Many times the interviewees want to ask each other questions (and their questions are always better), but he doesn't allow the conversation to flow organically. His brand of moderating usually results in him interrupting people mid-sentence and not allowing them to even answer the question. On more than one occasion he has had exchanges like the one with Sorkin and he always comes off looking poorly. I really don't understand why he's allowed to continue serving as the moderator for these. Again, I don't say this with any malice or intent to belittle him. (The roundtable's discussion about the internet is echoing in my head.) I just believe that his performances have been consistently poor.
+fong03 Hello there, for the record, I don't think you are being 'cruel' at all. I completely agree with you, I understand if maybe there is a time limit that they have to remain within, but I think you are completely right. It would be a much more pleasant viewing experience if the conservation was allowed to flow naturally and if he didn't create an uncomfortable atmosphere by suggesting that Sorkin's work is overly fictitious. Galloway would be better if he knew how to discuss the integrity of an individuals work without including such blunt accusations and therefore create a more fascinating and pleasant dialogue.
Pink Fawn Thank you! You are absolutely correct. Galloway has done this on more than one occasion and I'm amazed by how well the panelists have dealt with it. He also does not do well when he himself is questioned (his exchange with Helen Hunt was telling) and will quickly dismiss question or comment. The roundtables that are moderated by other reporters are much, much better. I hope THR will take note for next year.
So happy I found these, nerding the fuck out for the next couple hours.
Me too. I have seen two every night this week. The depth of my filmnerdery is starting to bother my collegues. Me calling at 23:45: "Omg, you won't believe what x, y, z has produced, directed etc etc" lol.
If you ever need a fellow nerd to unleash your nerdery(?) on... We are here!
I LOVE this shit.
Hi Jon
Paint
I'm really not a fan of amy schumer but she was pretty humble and affable here it made me respect her a bit more
I feel like Ryan Coogler should've been here. He could've replaced Amy. Not even hating but Creed was better written than Trainwreck.
I'd have to disagree. They wanted a variety of genres represented here and Trainwreck was the only true comedy.
+Autumn Henderson-Brazie Hm. Fair enough. But I still think he should've been here.
+Mbithi Masya I would've actually preferred Coogler on the Director's roundtable. I mean no offense to David O'Russel but he's been on these roundtables so many times I think it would've been much better if Coogler replaced him on the Director's roundtable.
+Mbithi Masya Trainwreck wasn't solely written by Schumer either, I believe she had a lot of help from her sister.
+Autumn Henderson-Brazie 4 dramas and 2 comedies, hardly a variety here....If they wanted varied genres and I was in charge of selecting the writers, I would have gone with Tom Mccarthy, Emma Donaghue, Amy Schumer and Meg Lefeuve from the current roundtable and also chosen Drew Godard (The Martian), George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road). That's variety. We have writers who have each written a different genre. Thriller, Drama, Comedy, Animated, Sci fi and Action.
The Newsroom is one of the best written shows I've ever seen..
I miss this show it was so good, I can rewatch it without getting bored ! which I rarely do
I thought the writing was subpar at best. Amy Schumer's show puts the Newsroom to shame.
John W lmao
The quality of Todd McCarthy's questions speak volumes on his intelligence as a writer and director and why Spotlight is such a success.
wow Tom McCarthy should really take the lead on the questions.
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Aaron Sorkin, a couple of weeks ago, I had a craving to hear "Will's" speech again in the first episode of The Newsroom. That's all I was going to watch, but I couldn't stop. I'm in the process of watching the whole series again, loving it all over again, and picking up on things I didn't the first time round. Very satisfying for my brain (as was The WW and Studio 60). Sorry to hear you didn't have the best time writing it; regardless, nothing beats Sorkin dialogue. Sublime!
Beautiful conversation. Thank you THR!
What a great find. I just loved listening to them all.
I want more writers roundtables! Screenwriters have a lot to say!
Guess I'm in the minority cause I loved Trainwreck. I thought it was hilarious and look forward to more of Amy's movies.
Love listening to Sorkin talk, he's always honest about himself. His viewpoint is crystal clear.
Nick Hornby's bit about pretending to make the movie around 55:00 is very inspiring.
Ugh this boring British moderator is back. Where's the woman who did the Emmy roundtables? She was much better.
+MrRandomTuber Wasn't she great? I love her too.
+Natalya Samsonova This guy likes to interrupt great conversations.
+MrRandomTuber Stephen Galloway is an Editor of THR. Why would he not be there?
+Benjamin Jack Kata Finau Cause he's an absolute SHIT interviewer. He consistently cuts people off mid-answer, and tries to be edgy, but in a creepy uncle kind of way. He also looks like the kind of fella who'd fuck a guy in the ass and not even have the courtesy to give him a reach around. Just THE worst.
CCTwang I recommend you inform his bosses of your comments and criticisms.
"What did Judd Hirsch teach you?" XD
I really like this, thanks for uploading
"Ay-ron sorkin" "meg donoHOO" ...this man has been out of England so long that he's forgotten how we speak. Who TF says "ay-ron"???? It reminds me of "a.a.ron" from that key and peele substitute teacher sketch.
S N That's not even an american thing. We don't say it like that either. I thought it was a british thing for a second. Haha
Lol, it’s the “correct” pronunciation, originating from the Hebrew name but now both are in circulation, although A-Ron is more rare than a-Ron.
Where the hell are they? It looks like a room on the Death Star!
Very funny
+HansHasSchnitzels I think it is subtly Star Wars themed. I was thinking the exact same thing.
I love Tom McCarthy's questions. Really helped this lovely conversation even further, and you could tell he was super engaged and super curious.
I'm about 15 minutes in and this seems like a panel of very smart, well spoken people. Digging it!
When they say "Write what you know." that seems to get interpreted in a wide range of ways. At the core, it means the emotional things you understand. You may not know anything about Steve Jobs, (but that can be researched) but what you know personally and what you bring to the story, emotionally or relationally, is what you know. The movie "Warrior" with Tom Hardy for example. You don't need to know anything about MMA or fighting to start writing a story about two estranged brothers who need to reconcile their past pains with each other. The external conflict and goal of story about the fighting can be researched and also works as a good dressing, but the important part, the story at heart, must be what you know. I'd bet that whoever it was that wrote that story had a strained relationship with a sibling (or a difficult relationship with their father) and needed to tell that story.
If you have another writer's table, could you have Charlie Kaufman, Michael Hanake and Tina Fey please?! That would be amazing. Even Alexander Payne! Thank you for all these videos, they're so insightful, really love them
Best backhanded compliment ever at 44:08 Amy must've went home and contemplated life after this WOW!
Good episode!
Excellent. All around.
I wish they would've extended the First Time Writers question. I'd appreciate the insight but this was a good round table. No one talked over each other. It was great.
i am so sick of the question "how much of it was improv"
I love how everyone is looking at each other while they are talking, you can tell there is so much respect between everyone.
Amy is so down to earth and real...
and a joke stealer
@@bobbychase5616 Which is why she had so much trouble talking about writing and looked so uncomfortable on those questions.
sorkin wiping the floor with steven galloways whole existence about crednetials, and credibility will never get old. 10/10
Thank you for posting this what a great panel. Maybe the heat towards Amy is because she is a standup and has not done much film as a writer or can contribute as much. Trainwreck and the social network are different scripts with different goals. I think she held her own nicely.
its interesting how in the writers roundtable they seem genuinely fascinated and listening intently, whilst in the actors roundtables people are all talking on top of each other just waiting to get their two cents in.
Honestly, these round tables are great until that interviewer opens his mouth.
Aaron Sorkin and Amy Schumer together? Who thought that would be a great idea. That is like putting salt on your ice cream...
i can't get over how interesting these people. are i could. just listen to them. all day long baby.
Favourite line in a movie off the top of my head, Shirley Maclaine in 'The Apartment', "Shut up and deal".
Favourite line in a movie: All those moments will be lost in time, like tears...in...rain.
I love this episodes.
Also Aaron Sorkin like taking notes on McCarthy talking about what it's like to make a media product about the news. Lol
Anyone changing my voice, even to the slightest degree, is to die in 5 minutes, if he or she doesn’t stop.
The thing I notice about interviewers or interviews like these in general (I watch interviews A LOT) is that the interviewers are members of media who aren't writers or creatives per so, the questions they put up are so kind od superficial, surface level questions about the material concerned. I suggest getting creative people themselves to kind of go around and discuss their processes and themes and various outlooks, so that opportunities like these aren't wasted.
can you please please please upload the full Directors Roundtable for this year?
galloway turning this into a congressional hearing with sorkin
I love how "composed" Amy is.
Tom McCarthy seems like an awesome dude
"You've never been trapped in a room, but there is that saying that you should write what you know..." Jesus wept...
8:20 "Talking about them [death threats] brings more." *smiles and drinks* That made me laugh out so loud. I want Amy Schumer to do a dark comedy. I love her show and it's darkly humorous in that way, and Trainwreck wasn't quite that but she could definitely do a dark comedy film.
AHAHA yo alright -- here's something I love about this interview as compared to the Director's roundtable. The director's roundtable is mostly THR teasing responses out of people. This one had them digressing into a twenty minute dialogue on the internet anonymity and credentials as it affects things on a societal level. Fucking awesome.
No one there is worthy of Aaron Sorkin's presence.
HAHA OMG I did not recognise that Tom McCarthy was Dr Bob, the groom from Meet The Parents. He's come a long way
Tom Mccarthy is the real and better interviewer here.
I love the shape of Nick Hornby's ears.
25:45 Gotta come back for this debate
Aaron Sorkin taking over like the boss that he is
27.30 from the interviewer?
Love this. Real people!
+Erin Hall And by real people, I mean geniuses. Yeah.
I'm not going to lie I was kind of hoping to see Lawrence Kasdan and Chris Terrio on the round table
+Mac Tilly Yeah Batman v Superman comes out in March of 2016.
This Roundtable is for the films of 2015. Batman v Superman is a 2016 film
Trainwreck one of the best script of 2015?!!! Lol
it was definitely the best comedy of the year and they wanted a comedic script represented.
+Autumn Henderson-Brazie The Martian was a better comedy than Trainwreck.
Real Human Bean no, it really wasn't. I thoroughly enjoyed The Martian, but it was a drama with comedic elements.
That's what I'm saying. A film that had some sparse comedy in between its more dramatic elements was far funnier than the borefest that was Trainwreck.
Real Human Bean that's your opinion. Mine is that Trainwreck was on par with Bridesmaids as the funniest films of the decade.
I really look forward to these roundtables but maaaannnnnn I instantly get bummed out when I see that THIS guy is the host. He always interrupts in the middle of someone explaining something...I mean GOD DAMN !!! You're surrounded by talent....just be quiet and soak it all in.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks for sharing...Speaking of sharing, if I may share the line(s) from a movie that have stuck with me, it would be the following exchange from Unforgiven...Particularly (Clint's) last line:THE SCHOFIELD KID:[after killing a man for the first time]It don't seem real...how he ain't never gonna breathe again, ever...how he's dead. And the other one too. All on account of pulling a trigger.WILL MUNNY: It's a hell of a thing , killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have. THE SCHOFIELD KID: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.WILL MUNNY: We all got it coming, kid.
Aaron Sorkin with AMY SCHUMER? "Yeah I'd like the prime rib steak with a side of bologna please." LOL she does not belong at the same table with a legend like him c'mon now
Weirdly, the 'Chisolm trail' quote is not what he says. It's Kevin Bacon, and what he says (imo, much more brilliantly) is: "Do you ever get the feeling something's going on we don't know about?"
lol puff daddy the way she said it
All the talk about Brie Larson and then Meg saying she’s going to write Captain Marvel…the universe was manifesting something there. Very interesting!
FYI, quote from Jaws is “you’re gonna need a bigger boat” ..... not we’re
Silent moments? Try the end of 45 Years, it will tear you apart
The moderator could have done a better job ensuring everyone at the table had time to speak.
well i never knew who sisyphus until now...thanks sorkin
So much hate for Amy Schumer in these comments...
I really enjoyed Trainwreck, but I can see what you mean.
+James DW i would definitely question sara silverman being in this room. amy schumer not really
+Jacob Bullard She's a fat ugly pig who has no talent in anything. What's not to hate?
+James DW Not true. I like Lena Dunham, but that is because she is actually talented. Amy Schumer is just awful and a pig.
+Adey Passaro There's a way to say what you're saying without mentioning her appearance, which is irrelevant.
wheres 2015??
Now how are Aaron Sorkin and Amy Schumer on the same table?
Talk about writing on what you know -- McCarthy starred as a journalist in The Wire and then he goes and makes a movie centered on journalism.
lol "Seth Rogan" - SPELL CHECK THR!
Seriously, no-one called out Sorkin's bullshit about the Internet?
It's a shame that Stacey Wilson is no longer at THR. She has a natural flair for these roundtable interviews.
Nick Hornby and Tom McCarthy get my oscar votes
Oh i thought Pete Doctor came up with the idea for Inside Out.
because i nailed it.
Alan Sorkin wit dat Louis C.K.
This just changed my life im a black male who is a substitute teacher who saw what he could do if he stays the course
A bunch of articulate, brilliant artists being insightful. Plus Amy.
This moderator needs to go, he really ruins the momentum of the discussion.