David Mamet on film
The American screenwriter, playwright and film director shares his predictably uncompromising thoughts on the state of movie-making
A guide to gags
How a cat with a funnel on its head taught David Mamet everything he needed to know about movie tricks.
Moments of class
A car headlight rising in the dark, a nostalgic score, a perfect smile - these are worth more than any grosses.
Why me?
David Mamet: Studio executives are like members of a sexless marriage - they feel no affection, lust or desire for their movies.
Screen broken
The moving image - both film and TV - is more compromised and corrupted than ever. David Mamet reports.
Pleasure pilgrims
Entertainment has replaced prayer as society's ritual act - and that's taken all the fun out of it. David Mamet reports.
Bum barometer
Audience research doesn't work - otherwise there would be no flops. Real film-makers listen to their ass. David Mamet is all ears.
Duped in the dark
Film-makers want you to suspend disbelief - but don't let them sneak in and steal your heart as well says David Mamet.
Bring it on
Violent movies - and war movies - give us the thrill of victory. But what happens when war becomes a reality? David Mamet takes aim.
Big screen bureaucrats
What is the point of 'development'? For a start, it saves those doing it from having to get a job. David Mamet on the oxymoron of movie-making.
Begging for a date
Lonely, eager-to-please screenplay seeks audience. Any age, any race - as long as they like me, says David Mamet.
What do producers do?
They can play golf, fiddle the expenses, ruin perfectly good film ideas ... who says producers are useless?
Oscar electioneering
The Academy would politely request people seeking Oscars to stop networking. Fat chance, says David Mamet.
Root for the hero
David Mamet examines the dramatic techniques that engage audiences with the trials and tribulations of the hero.
That's your lot
The Prisoner's Dilemma, a favourite of academics, is a sordid and instructive problem, as well as being all of Hollywood writ small. By David Mamet.
Black for good
Does the need to combine violence and irony make the Brits better at film noir? David Mamet looks at the evidence.
The death of the movie theatre
David Mamet: As the canny politician has realised the error of the ballot box, the wise showman will see that it is only the existence of the theatrical release that contains risk.
An American tragedy
David Mamet on The Jolson Story, a quintessential American film document from 1946
Once more with indifference
In Jewish law certain crimes - murder, adultery - cannot be forgiven. To this should be added: making sequels, writes David Mamet
The neverending story
Forget coffee, booze and sleeping pills. When it comes to a tough movie shoot, says David Mamet, nothing helps like a good crew.
The short and the fat of it
Widescreen is great for filming snakes and trains. But what else is it good for?
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