The Writer Files

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

Hosted ByKelton Reid

Kelton Reid studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. Tune in each week to learn how great writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid block. Explore our archives at writerfiles.fm to find interviews with notable guests that include bestselling authors John Scalzi (Old Mans War), Greg Iles (Natchez Burning), Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City), Kevin Kelly (founder of WIRED magazine), Emma Donoghue (Oscar Nominee for Room), Maria Konnikova (The Confidence Game), Andy Weir (The Martian), Dan Buettner (The Blue Zones), Austin Kleon (Steal Like an Artist), Daniel Pink (When), and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.

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How the Screenwriter of ‘The Batman’ and ‘Project Power’ Mattson Tomlin Writes

August 18, 2020 The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience 31:46

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Busy screenwriter and director, Mattson Tomlin, took a minute to rap with me about debuting a film during a pandemic, what it takes to break into Hollywood, and how he was brought on to co-write The Batman with Director Matt Reeves.

“Every script is an opportunity to change your life. Every script is an investment in yourself.”—Mattson Tomlin

Mattson rose to prominence in 2017 after a bidding war for his original screenplay that became the Netflix film, Project Power, starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and breakout Dominique Fishback.

Hollywood Reporter describes the film as an “… action-packed tale that tackles themes [like] government control and the exploitation of marginalized communities.”

Tomlin recently gained attention for being brought on board to co-write The Batman with Matt Reeves; the reboot will star Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and Jeffrey Wright among others.

He is writing a film adaption of the video game character Mega Man for 20th Century Studios and sold a spec script, titled 2084, to Paramount Pictures.

While getting his Master’s Degree in directing at the American Film Institute, Mattson created over a dozen short films, most as writer-director. Tomlin has appeared on the annual Hollywood’s Black List six times in the past four years.

Please help us learn more about you by completing this short 7-question survey If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Mattson Tomlin and I discussed:

  • How he writes 10 scripts a year
  • Why you need to try to “find the film that’s in your head”
  • The curious tattoo he uses to stay on track
  • His unique approach to Rubik’s cubing genres
  • How he became one of “Hollywood’s Busiest Screenwriters”
  • And why every script is a chance to change your life!

Show Notes:

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