In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with script consultant Danny Manus about: A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, and The Ice Storm. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, Danny Manus discusses what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer.
Movies That Changed Your Life
Find out about what a script consultant does and how they can help you write a script and become a better writer and the lasting impact of cinema on Danny Manus’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.
Three common aspects of script feedback Danny Manus gives to writer:
[1:20] 1) Integrating the plot and character;
[6:40] 2) Being able to identify your hook; and
[18:00] 3) The art of scene writing.
[40:20] What makes a good writer for a script consultant?
3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life
A Few Good Men (1992): Noticing writing
[15:40] Today, Danny Manus is a huge fan of both Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner, but watching A Few Good Men as a 12/13 year old, he saw for the first time, the power in the writing of a movie. It’s a master class in the rhythm and build of a story through dialogue.
My Cousin Vinny (1992): Unable to stop laughing
[21:30] My Cousin Vinny is Danny Manus’s favourite comedy of all time. He’s seen it over and over 100 times, but when he saw it in theatres aged 12/13 it was the first time he couldn’t catch his breath because he was laughing too hard.
The Ice Storm (1997): Teen storylines
[27:40] Danny believes there is no American Beauty without The Ice Storm. He simply loves a family dysfunction movie. The teen storylines spoke to him and were echoed in his own early screenwriting efforts at college.
Key Take Aways:
Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth.
How to integrating plot and character;
Can you identify your hook?
Learn the art of scene writing.
What makes a good writer for a script consultant?
Learn what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer
Understand cinema’s transformative power through A Few Good Men (1992), My Cousin Vinny (1992), The Ice Storm (1997)
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life!
Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast
About my Guest:
Danny Manus is a script consultant and founder of No BullScript Consulting, which has been helping writers since 2009.
For more about his script consultancy services see https://www.nobullscript.net/about-daniel/
Credits:
Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
