Charlie Kaufman

Charlie Kaufman is an American screenwriter, producer, and director. He is most well known for writing Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Kaufman attended NYU film school, and got his start in the writing industry by writing comedic articles for National Lampoon (usually spoofing Vonnegut and the X-men). After writing for several poorly received TV shows, Kaufman saw his first mainstream break with the release of Being John Malkovich, a film that would also give Kaufman his first Oscar Nomination for best original screenplay.

Before filming had even begun for Being John Malkovich, Kaufman had been contracted to write the Adaptation for the New York Times best selling novel, “The Orchid Thief.” Suffering from severe writer’s block Kaufman approached Spike Jonze to confide in him that Kaufman had plans to go completely off the grid, and turn the adaptation of the book into a screenplay about his own struggles as a Hollywood writer trying to adapt a book called, “The Orchid Thief,” rather than writing an actual adaptation. With constant pressure from the studio, and no real ending in sight, Kaufman decided to credit a fictional twin brother for writing the end of the script, to help emphasize the parody of his inability to adapt the book. By September of 1999 Kaufman had written two final drafts of The Orchid Thief before finally submitting, “Adaptation” to the studio in November of 2000. When asked about his feelings before submitting the screenplay Kaufman had said, “I really thought I was ending my career by turning that in.” The film was nominated for four Oscars including a best supporting actor win for Chris Cooper and, ironically, a best writing, adapted screenplay nomination for Kaufman.

His next critical success was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, eventually starring Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey (Nicolas Cage was originally cast before Jim Carrey signed on for the role of Joel). The movie is based on a business that had the capacity to erase memories from their client’s minds. This idea came about when French Artist Pierre Bismuth suggested to friend Michel Gondry that he send out cards saying, “Someone has just erased you from their memory.” The film was given a wide release in 2004, and proved to be both a financial and a critical success, winning the Oscar for Best original Screenplay, and giving Kaufman his first Academy Award.

Kaufman has since decided to try his hand as a director releasing the Indie hit, “Synecdoche, New York,” and is currently working through Kickstarter to independently produce his next film, “Anomalisa.”

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/anomalisa/charlie-kaufmans-anomalisa