IFH 744: The Screenwriter's Guide to Video Game Writing with Robert Denton Bryant

04/02/24 • 104 min

Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

I always wondered how someone would get into the video game writing business. Today's guest is screenwriter/game development guru Robert Denton Bryant and he answers that question and so much more.Robert Denton Bryant has worked in Hollywood in marketing and production, and in video games as a publisher and a developer. He has been Executive Producer on dozens of games on platforms ranging from CD-ROMs to the iPad, including the bestselling World Championship Poker and Pinball Hall of Fame console franchises.He is the co-author (with Charles P. Schultz) of Game Testing: All in One and (with Keith Giglio) Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games.
Writing for the multibillion-dollar video-game industry is unlike writing for any other medium. Slay the Dragon will help you understand the challenges and offer creative solutions to writing for a medium where the audience not only demands a great story but to be a driving force within it. Aimed at traditional writers who want to learn interactive narrative as well as game creators who want to tell better, more emotionally involving stories, the book is written by two creative veterans of both Hollywood and "Nerdyhood." Through lively discussions and self-paced-exercises, Bryant and Giglio step you such topics as the:

"No-act" structure of video games
Writing great game characters
Making gameplay emotionally meaningful
Bringing your game world alive

I can't tell you what an amazing episode this is. Robert takes me down the rabbit hole of writing for video games, the business, how to break in as a writer, and a ton more. Who says you can't write for both video games and the big screen.
Enjoy my conversation with Robert Denton Bryant.
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"No-act" structure of video games
Writing great game characters
Making gameplay emotionally meaningful
Bringing your game world alive

Previous Episode

IFH 743: The Guide for Every Screenwriter with Geoffrey D. Calhoun

After many requests, I decided to finally tackle the dreaded query letter. I bring back to the show screenwriter, author, and IFH Academy instructor Geoffrey Calhoun. Below Query Letter Checklist and a few areas, we discuss in the episode.

No Snail Mail
Do Your Research
Address the Letter to Individuals, not "To Whom It May Concern"
It's about the script, not you!
Be Casual but not too casual
Cut to the chase
Don't forget the Logline
This isn't open mic night
Its CATS meets The Goonies
Dig through your contacts
Proofread

I hope this helps you write that query letter. Best of luck and keep on writing!Enjoy my Conversation with Geoffrey D. Calhoun.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Next Episode

IFH 745: Screenwriting & Hollywood in the Times of COVID with Greg Gertmenian

Today on the show, we have Greg Gertmenian, who is the Head of Script Analytics and Film Development at Slated. He is also the co-inventor of the Script Score, the only screenplay evaluation tool proven to accurately predict good films. Helped arrange to finance of films like SUPER TROOPERS 2, DEEP MURDER, CRUISE, AT FIRST LIGHT, GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD, BECOMING, and WHAT BREAKS THE ICE.Prior to his time at Slated, he produced short format content, including the fan-beloved short film BALROG: BEHIND THE GLORY and the award-winning AFI Fest film THE HAIRCUT.I wanted to bring Greg on the show to discuss Hollywood, screenwriters, and the COVID pandemic, and what we all can do to survive and thrive during these crazy and uncertain times.
Enjoy my conversation with Greg Gertmenian.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.