The Script Lab Podcast: Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz — Writers/Directors of THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON (2019)

The Peanut Butter Falcon is an adventure story set in the world of a modern Mark Twain that begins when Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome runs away from a nursing home to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a small time outlaw on the run becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, and drink whisky. But can they convince Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), not to return him to the nursing home?

First-time writers/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz chat with us about the challenges making this astonishing, heartfelt film. According to Tyler and Michael, writing the script was the easy part. Getting people to read it – well that was pretty challenging. Listen to find out the creative way they got producers to request their script.

Listen to the podcast below.

Shanee Edwards graduated from UCLA Film School with an MFA in Screenwriting and is currently the film critic for SheKnows.com. She recently won the Next MacGyver television writing competition to create a TV show about a female engineer. Her pilot, Ada and the Machine, is currently in development with America Ferrera’s Take Fountain Productions. You can follow her on Twitter: @ShaneeEdwards

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