Fairfax and 3rd, he waltzed into the Writer Guild Foundation building, debonair and with the kind of street charm that oozes from most well oiled hot shots around Hollywood. This guy has seen plenty after his time in Iraq. Though he didn’t spend time there as a soldier, you might even say, he believes the pen is mightier than the sword.

Mark Boal sports a trendy shallow beard, the guise worn by those successful types that are riding the cusp of a media wave. Sweeping brown hair and perfect smile for his audience of myrmidons. He looks sharp in black, good thing too– he might just be giving an acceptance speech come Oscar Night.