Monday, December 7, 2009

Writing what you know works

One of the most satisfying experiences for me as a screenwriting instructor took place last week when a student who'd been writing derivative, and ultimately dishonest Law and Order wannabe type scripts finally listened to me and instead of aping what others do better, wrote a short about something that happened to him--being racially profiled by a bunch of Toronto police. It was vivid, moving and totally honest and took me inside what it must have felt like for him.

When I returned it to him I told him that it was great and that I was glad he finally arrived. He knew what I meant.

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