Story and Character: Interviews With British Screenwriters

by Alistair Owen

Acting is glamorous, and everyone wants to direct, but what about the most vital ingredient of all - the script? In this unique and compelling collection of interviews, Alistair Owen explores the often overlooked role of screenwriting. From Billy Elliot to James Bond, and from Notting Hill to Beverly Hills, ten leading British writers reveal the tricks of - and the truth about - the screen trade.

Rupert Walters (Restoration), Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), Richard Curtis (Notting Hill), Frank Cottrell Boyce (Welcome to Sarajevo), Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (Die Another Day), Shawn Slovo (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin), William Boyd (Chaplin), Hossein Amini (The Wings of the Dove), Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty)

'I look forward to reading more volumes from Owen that will match this fascinating, insightful collection' Christopher Fowler, Independent on Sunday

Genres: Writing

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

ALISTAIR OWEN is the author of five acclaimed books of interviews with British writers, including two Guardian and Observer books of the year. He has written screenplays, stage plays and arts journalism, and chaired writer Q&As at events, festivals and online. His first novel, The Vetting Officer, is available on Kindle and in paperback.