Ep 247 - Simon Barrett on Azrael and Crafting Nonverbal Storytelling

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

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8M ago 25:41

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Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter
Guest: Simon Barrett, Screenwriter of Azrael, Godzilla X Kong, and You're Next
Summary:
In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with acclaimed screenwriter Simon Barrett, whose latest film Azrael is making waves in the horror genre. Simon shares his journey from small-town Missouri to working on low-budget horror films like Dead Birds and You're Next. The conversation dives deep into Simon’s unique approach to crafting Azrael, a near-silent horror film starring Samara Weaving. They discuss the challenges of writing nonverbal narratives, the importance of world-building, and how Simon drew inspiration from his past nightmares and personal experiences.Takeaways:

Simon’s unconventional journey from working as a private investigator to becoming a successful screenwriter.
The creation of the "mumblegore" genre with Adam Wingard and how it influenced their films.
How Simon used world-building and mythology to shape Azrael’s post-apocalyptic, dialogue-free atmosphere.
Advice for screenwriters: Focus on creating films that can be produced with available resources to break into the industry.
The casting of Samara Weaving and her remarkable commitment to her role in Azrael.

Chapters:

00:38 – Introduction to Simon Barrett and Azrael
01:31 – Simon’s Origin Story: From Missouri to Screenwriting
02:50 – Writing Dead Birds and Early Career Struggles
03:39 – Creating the Mumblegore Genre and You're Next
06:14 – Crafting Azrael: Challenges of a Nonverbal Script
09:47 – Writing Action vs. Dialogue and Pacing in Azrael
16:08 – Casting Samara Weaving and Her Performance
18:46 – Advice for Screenwriters: Writing with Production in Mind
24:27 – Azrael: Theatrical Release and Working with Shudder

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