Bradley Cooper, Guillermo del Toro, Will Tracy, Noah Oppenheim & More at the THR Writer Roundtable

The Hollywood Reporter·86,438 views·Jan 6, 2026

Score and analysis

Summary

Bradley Cooper, Guillermo del Toro, Will Tracy, and Noah Oppenheim engage in a deep discussion on screenwriting craft at The Hollywood Reporter's roundtable.Guillermo del Toro shares how personal experiences with grief and his mother's influence shaped his writing for 'Frankenstein,' while Bradley Cooper likens the writing process to 'surfing' and emphasizes dialogue's rhythmic importance.Noah Oppenheim posits that fictional storytelling can be more impactful than journalism for social commentary, and Hikari details how personal family narratives inspired 'Rental Family.' The conversation highlights the writers' nuanced approaches to character, structure, and emotional depth, demonstrating significant insider knowledge and unique perspectives on the art of storytelling.

Starring (5)

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Bradley Cooper

Actor · Filmmaker · Producer · Grammy Award Winner · Academy Award Nominee

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Guillermo del Toro

Filmmaker · Author · Academy Award Winner

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Noah Oppenheim

Television Producer · Screenwriter · Author · Former President of NBC News

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Will Tracy

Screenwriter · Film Producer

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Clint Bentley

Film Director · Screenwriter

8.4

VIDSCORE

Summary

Bradley Cooper, Guillermo del Toro, Will Tracy, and Noah Oppenheim engage in a deep discussion on screenwriting craft at The Hollywood Reporter's roundtable.Guillermo del Toro shares how personal experiences with grief and his mother's influence shaped his writing for 'Frankenstein,' while Bradley Cooper likens the writing process to 'surfing' and emphasizes dialogue's rhythmic importance.Noah Oppenheim posits that fictional storytelling can be more impactful than journalism for social commentary, and Hikari details how personal family narratives inspired 'Rental Family.' The conversation highlights the writers' nuanced approaches to character, structure, and emotional depth, demonstrating significant insider knowledge and unique perspectives on the art of storytelling.

Breakdown

Substance & Depth

7.0

The discussion thoroughly explores the multifaceted nature of screenwriting, delving into topics such as the emotional impact of personal loss on writing, the structural challenges of adaptation, and the rhythmic qualities of dialogue.Participants connect ideas across different films and personal experiences, offering a comprehensive view of the creative process.

Engaging

8.5

The conversation is highly engaging due to the compelling personal stories shared by the writers, such as Guillermo del Toro's reflections on his mother and father, and Hikari's experiences with family deception.Moments of humor, particularly around writing habits and the challenges of improvisation, also contribute to the dynamic and captivating nature of the discussion.

Fresh Insights

9.0

Bradley Cooper details his process for finding dialogue rhythm, comparing it to surfing and the 'heroine' of screenwriting, while Guillermo del Toro explains how he uses writing to explore complex themes like grief and acceptance, drawing parallels to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'.Noah Oppenheim discusses how fictional storytelling can be more effective than journalism for highlighting issues.

Participant Expertise

8.6

The guests, including Bradley Cooper, Guillermo del Toro, Will Tracy, and Noah Oppenheim, demonstrate deep knowledge of screenwriting craft, discussing specific techniques like dialogue construction, structural choices in adaptation, and the emotional underpinnings of their work.They articulate nuanced takes on their creative processes, referencing specific films and authors.

Discussion Quality

8.6

Beatrice Verhoeven asks insightful questions that prompt detailed responses, moving beyond generic inquiries to explore specific aspects of the writers' craft and personal journeys.Her questions often follow threads from previous answers, demonstrating active listening and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Natural Flow

8.9

The conversation flows naturally, with participants actively listening and building upon each other's points, creating a dynamic exchange.Beatrice Verhoeven effectively guides the discussion, and the guests engage in playful banter while maintaining a focused dialogue on screenwriting.

Production Quality

6.4

The roundtable discussion features clear audio and stable camera work, allowing the participants to be easily seen and heard throughout the conversation.The visual presentation is functional, supporting the dialogue without introducing significant distractions.

Click any metric to see why it scored this way

Starring (5)

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Bradley Cooper

Actor · Filmmaker · Producer · Grammy Award Winner · Academy Award Nominee

i

Guillermo del Toro

Filmmaker · Author · Academy Award Winner

i

Noah Oppenheim

Television Producer · Screenwriter · Author · Former President of NBC News

i

Will Tracy

Screenwriter · Film Producer

i

Clint Bentley

Film Director · Screenwriter

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