[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: In your mind, is the structure of a comedy screenplay different from a drama screenplay?
Greg Porper, Screenwriter: Generally, I’d say they both follow the three-act structure. The way I view it is kind of the same.
It’s like beginning, middle, end, setups, builds, payoffs. Generally, and I know that different movies and different directors have broken the said rules. I think for myself, I need to have that structure to help inform how I’m actually going to write the screenplay.
I think if there’s no rules or set boundaries that I’m going to struggle to find a finished screenplay that I’m proud of, but also that I feel is good enough to then actually get made.
Film Courage: What are the rules that you follow? Do you have your own rules? Do you follow certain screenwriting books or teachers?
Greg: Yeah, I mean the inciting incident of course. When I first started writing I would follow the very set rule. I read Save the Cat, which I know some people have varying opinions on that, but that was actually really helpful the first time I read that just to understand those necessary beats to hit.
But that inciting incident is usually the first thing that when I have the character in the story, what is that engine that starts everything to go forward.
Film Courage: And because you talked about the meeting where you heard the phrase “Don’t Tell Larry,” you thought that was so funny and that’s kind of if I’m wrong or maybe that’s the inciting incident in that there’s a cover up at work?
Greg: Yes, there’s a lie about a company party. I realized, would it help for the log line?
Film Courage: Oh yeah, I’d love to hear the log line.
Greg: So yeah, so it’s basically what happens when you tell a little white lie that spirals out of control? But our main character, Susan, in order to get promoted, tells a little white lie to her eccentric new coworker. As a result of this lie where she doesn’t invite him, but blames someone else for not inviting him to this company party that she’s throwing because she wants to impress her boss.
There are major consequences as a result of her little lie and things just get worse and worse and worse as she continues to double down and not own up to the truth.
Film Courage: And we know that Susan, she’s a rule follower and she’s kind of the good girl and has worked very hard and so that’s not in her nature.
Greg: She starts off that way…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Greg Porper is an award-winning writer, director, and producer known for edgy, unexpected comedies that push rule- followers and rebels out of their comfort zones, blending humor and tension to spark laughs and gasps. In addition to writing and directing Don’t Tell Larry, Porper served as the film’s lead producer, strategically crafting, pitching, and executing the film’s business plan, securing all of the financing from over three dozen investors, and managing daily operations overseeing a team of more than 100 people throughout the film’s life cycle. Working as a development executive and freelance producer for over ten years, Porper has also developed and produced shows for Netflix, Fox, ESPN, MTV, truTV, Viceland, Discovery+, and more. He created, sold, and served as showrunner for the ten-episode CW digital series, Worst Birthday Ever. His pilot scripts and shorts have been featured on The Black List, College Humor, Funny or Die, and have screened at festivals all across the country. Porper is also working with producer Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club) on his next dark comedy feature. Porper is a proud Northwestern alum who bleeds purple (though he should probably get that checked out by a doctor).
WATCH ‘DON’T TELL LARRY’ TRAILER
MORE VIDEOS WITH GREG PORPER
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New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
