How Not to Write a Screenplay: Ethan Coen with Billy Hough

Most book events entail a reading from an author’s latest work, often a conversation with a moderator, and questions from the audience. This old formula is time tested, and a great way for authors to connect with their audience, many of whom are interested in the particulars of the writing process. But we thought we’d shake things up a bit.

Billy Hough, a downtown cabaret star (Scream Along with Billy), erstwhile film actor (RampartTime Out of Mind), and ex-punk rocker (the GarageDogs), is also the events coordinator for McNally Jackson. As a writer and performer himself, Billy realizes that most of the great lessons come not from successes, but from mistakes. With this in mind, Billy is launching a new series of interviews: “The How NOT To Summits” especially for the McNally Jackson Williamsburg location.

Interviewing some of the most brilliant and successful writers in every genre, the questions and conversation will tend toward common mistakes young writers make—both in composition and in business. Expect some honest recounting of early disasters (amid successes) in these writer’s lives and careers.

Ethan Coen started as a Philosophy student at Princeton, before becoming a screenwriter and filmmaker with his brother Joel. Since their first film, Blood Simple (1984), the two brothers have released 17 additional full-length films including the upcoming Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Their films have garnered 13 Oscar nominations as a team, as well as an additional nomination for each brother. Their three-plus decades of experimental and boundary-pushing filmmaking has redefined America cinema. But it all starts with a Screenplay. We will discuss their incredible track record, the delicate balance of collaboration, and the many pitfalls inherent in this exacting medium.











When: Sun., Nov. 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Where: McNally Jackson Williamsburg
76 N. 4th St.
718-387-0115
Price: Free
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Most book events entail a reading from an author’s latest work, often a conversation with a moderator, and questions from the audience. This old formula is time tested, and a great way for authors to connect with their audience, many of whom are interested in the particulars of the writing process. But we thought we’d shake things up a bit.

Billy Hough, a downtown cabaret star (Scream Along with Billy), erstwhile film actor (RampartTime Out of Mind), and ex-punk rocker (the GarageDogs), is also the events coordinator for McNally Jackson. As a writer and performer himself, Billy realizes that most of the great lessons come not from successes, but from mistakes. With this in mind, Billy is launching a new series of interviews: “The How NOT To Summits” especially for the McNally Jackson Williamsburg location.

Interviewing some of the most brilliant and successful writers in every genre, the questions and conversation will tend toward common mistakes young writers make—both in composition and in business. Expect some honest recounting of early disasters (amid successes) in these writer’s lives and careers.

Ethan Coen started as a Philosophy student at Princeton, before becoming a screenwriter and filmmaker with his brother Joel. Since their first film, Blood Simple (1984), the two brothers have released 17 additional full-length films including the upcoming Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Their films have garnered 13 Oscar nominations as a team, as well as an additional nomination for each brother. Their three-plus decades of experimental and boundary-pushing filmmaking has redefined America cinema. But it all starts with a Screenplay. We will discuss their incredible track record, the delicate balance of collaboration, and the many pitfalls inherent in this exacting medium.

Buy tickets/get more info now