Michael Crichton's Writing Process Behind the 1996 Blockbuster "Twister" Artwork

The Writers' Hangout

THE WRITERS’ HANGOUT, a podcast that celebrates the many stages of writing from inspiration to the first draft, revising, getting a project made and everything in-between. We’ll talk to the best and brightest in the entertainment industry and create a space where you can hang out, learn from the pros and have fun. Plus, True Crime stories about writers. Contact us: thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer/Engineer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller

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The Writers' Hangout

Michael Crichton's Writing Process Behind the 1996 Blockbuster "Twister"

July 28, 2024 • The PAGE Awards • Season 1 • Episode 125

Hang out with us as we explore what happened behind the scenes during the writing of Twister, the 1996 blockbuster movie Twister, with a special guest, my cousin Kate!

Twister is an action film and screwball romance featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Writer Michael Crichton conceived it as a combination of the classic romantic comedy "His Girl Friday" and a PBS documentary about storm chasers he had seen on TV.

Helen Hunt portrays Jo, a meteorologist whose father was swept away by a tornado when she was a child. She has devoted her life to researching tornadoes and has created a device designed to collect essential data in the midst of severe weather systems. Her estranged husband, Bill Paxton, has left his tornado days behind and is ready to settle down with a new woman, Jami Gertz. The film also stars the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, Succession’s Alan Ruck, and Todd Field, who directed Tár.

Research for this story includes:

Screenwritersutopia.com
Jeff Nathanson talks Catch Me If You Can
By Fred Topel

https://www.screenwritersutopia.com/article/33dc5cd0

Variety
Twister Stunt Boss Says Steven Spielberg Flew to Oklahoma and ‘Was F—ing Yelling’ at the Director After Crew Walked Off Set Amid Chaotic Filming
By Zack Sharf
https://variety.com/2024/film/news/steven-spielberg-screamed-twister-director-crew-rebelled-1236078124/

Crichton & Co. win Twister Lawsuit
Jury conducts whirlwind deliberations
By Janet Shprintz
https://variety.com/1998/film/news/crichton-co-win-twister-lawsuit-1117467205/

Yardbarker.com
20 facts you might not know about Twister
https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_twister/s1__37717932#slide_1

The Original ‘Twister’ Is a Stealth Remake of a Classic Comedy
https://www.cracked.com/article_42873_the-original-twister-is-a-stealth-remake-of-a-classic-comedy.html

96 Twister Screenplay via Scribd
https://www.scribd.com/document/561736972/Twister-1996-The-Original-Screenplay

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