edgar wright and simon pegg on writing

Summary

The video script offers an intimate look into the creative process behind the film 'Hot Fuzz.' Set in a quiet flat in Wells, the writers detail their escape from London's distractions to craft a story rich with detail. They discuss the film's plot, including the initial murder mysteries, character development, and the Neighborhood Watch Alliance's (NWA) role. The script also reveals scrapped ideas, like a xenophobic village without a Chinese chip shop, and the evolution of characters like Nicholas Angel. The summary provides a fascinating glimpse into the film's development, from initial ideas to the final script.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The creators moved to a quiet place in the countryside to focus on writing 'Hot Fuzz', away from distractions.
• 📝 They started with a flip chart, brainstorming ideas and plot points for the film.
• 🏠 The setting of 'Hot Fuzz' is a small town called Sanford, which they meticulously detailed.
• 👮‍♂️ The main character, Nicholas Angel, was fleshed out with various skills and traits, like being bilingual and having a high arrest record.
• 🔍 The plot involves a series of murders that Nicholas Angel investigates, uncovering a conspiracy.
• 🗣️ The script includes many local characters, each with their own quirks and roles in the story.
• 📉 They considered and discarded several ideas, like a Chinese chip shop and a character named Mike TV.
• 📚 There are numerous references to other films, like 'Get Carter' and 'Death Wish', in the script.
• 👥 The Neighborhood Watch Alliance (NWA) is a key element of the film's plot, with its own set of rules and punishments.
• 🎭 The script includes a lot of humor, with jokes about local life and the characters' interactions.
• 📈 They had a detailed to-do list and index cards to keep track of all the elements they wanted to include in the film.

Q & A

Where did the writers initially start writing the film?

The writers initially started writing the film in London in their office.

Why did the writers decide to leave London for writing?

The writers left London due to many distractions such as the internet, cell phones, and media types, which made it difficult to focus on writing.

What was the significance of the location in Welles for the writers?

The location in Welles allowed the writers to switch off their phones and the internet, providing a distraction-free environment to write.

What is the 'flip chart' mentioned in the script?

The 'flip chart' is a large board used by the writers to outline and brainstorm ideas for the film 'Hot Fuzz'.

What was one of the first things the writers did when starting the film?

One of the first things the writers did was to brainstorm a lot of ideas and plot elements for the film.

What is the significance of the number 13 in the context of the Neighborhood Watch Alliance (NWA)?

The NWA was intended to have 13 members, which is a reference to the number of people in the group.

Why did the writers consider removing the Chinese chip shop from the story?

The writers considered removing the Chinese chip shop because it was seen as not in keeping with the xenophobic nature of the town.

What was the inspiration behind the character Nicholas Angel's skills?

Nicholas Angel's skills, such as being bilingual, fencing, and having an MPAA record, were inspired by the writers' desire to create a highly skilled yet underutilized police officer.

What is the meaning behind the 'High Noon' moment mentioned in the script?

The 'High Noon' moment refers to a scene where the character Angel decides to confront the antagonists alone, similar to the classic film 'High Noon'.

What was the intended joke with the character Mike TV that didn't make it into the film?

The intended joke with Mike TV was that he was called 'Mike TV' because he had once been on a local news program for a brief moment, making him a local celebrity.

What is the significance of the owls in the film?

The owls are significant because they symbolize the Neighborhood Watch, which is represented as having eyes everywhere in the town.

What was the original idea for the character Edgar that was changed?

The original idea for Edgar was that he was gay, but this detail was changed during the development of the script.