The 38th USC Libraries Scripter Awards recognized outstanding achievements in screenwriting on March 9, 2024. The event honored the creators behind Paul Thomas Anderson’s film *One Battle After Another* and Netflix’s limited series *Death By Lightning*. This prestigious accolade is awarded to both the original author and the screenwriter of adapted works, emphasizing the collaboration between literature and film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and author Thomas Pynchon took home the award for *One Battle After Another*, a multifaceted crime drama based on Pynchon’s 1990 novel. This victory adds to the film’s accolades, which include wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and it was nominated for 13 Academy Awards. Previously, Anderson and Pynchon received nominations from the USC Scripters in 2014 for their work on *Inherent Vice*, based on Pynchon’s 2009 novel.
In the episodic series category, screenwriter Mike Makowsky and author Candice Millard were recognized for *Death By Lightning*, which is adapted from Millard’s nonfiction book, *Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President*. The four-part Netflix series chronicles the events surrounding the assassination of President James Garfield, portrayed by Michael Shannon, and the role of assassin Charles Guiteau, played by Matthew Macfadyen.
The competition was fierce, with *One Battle After Another* surpassing nominees such as *Frankenstein*, *Hamnet*, *Peter Hujar’s Day*, and *Train Dreams*. Similarly, *Death By Lightning* triumphed over other entries from shows like *Dark Winds*, *Dept. Q*, *Slow Horses*, and *Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light*.
The ceremony was held at the university’s Town and Gown ballroom and was emceed by Melissa Just, the dean of USC Libraries. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the USC Libraries Scripter Literary Achievement Award to renowned crime writer Michael Connelly. The honor was presented by Titus Welliver, who portrayed Connelly’s iconic character, detective Harry Bosch, in the Prime Video series *Bosch* and its spinoffs.
This year’s Scripter Awards not only celebrate the art of storytelling through film and television but also reinforce the vital connection between literature and visual media. The recognition of both the original authors and screenwriters highlights the importance of adaptation and the collaborative nature of the creative process.
