For this feature the editors have selected answers to a questionnaire sent out to a number of distinguished screenwriters. They are listed below with some of their credits. We are extremely grateful for their cooperation.


Dan Algrant (Naked in New York)

Jay Presson Allen (Deathtrap, Prince of the City)

Paul Attanasio (Quiz Show, Disclosure)

Noah Baumbach (Kicking and Screaming, Mr. Jealousy)

Peter Benchley (How To Sleep, Jaws)

Michael Blake (Dances With Wolves)

John Briley (Ghandi, White Fang)

Jean-Claude Carrière (The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Tin Drum)

Hampton Fancher (Blade Runner, The Mighty Quinn)

Horton Foote (Tomorrow, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Tender Mercies)

Bo Goldman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, City Hall)

Winston Groom (The novels Forrest Gump, Gump & Co.)

Larry Gross (48 Hours, Geronimo)

Jim Harrison (Wolf, Revenge)

Steven Katz (The Alienist, Morningside Heights)

Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise)

William Kinsolving (Brother Sun,…