WeScreenplay zoom: Embracing the Nuanced Latinx Experience

So I have not been publishing my blog at all lately. There has seemed to be a more toxic writer's universe on Twitter. I know you've seen it. It kind of scared me off I guess. But I created this blog for newer writers and I have to remember that I have things to help them grow as writers. If you're an Academy Award writer, this blog may not be for you. Everyone else, see if you get something out of it. 

So recently WeScreenplay hosted a zoom on Latinx showrunners and I was so inspired I had to post. First off, if you haven't been attending their zooms, they've been great. So keep your eye out for more. I've attended a couple so far and have loved them all. 

So this one was hosted by Joshua Noble and had showrunners Jenny Lorenzo, Latinx actress and writer, from things like Victor & Valentino and Gentefied, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, producer, director, writer of shows like Lost and The Dark Crystal, and Evangeline Ordaz, producer, actress and writer of things like Queen Sugar, Vida and 13 Reasons Why. 

They were all so passionate about what's going on with Latinx in TV and movies and had so many great things to say. So in no special order, here are some of the key things I took away from it. Mind you, I'm paraphrasing: 

Jenny Lorenzo (JL) grew up Cuban in Miami and said she didn't fit in growing up there. Even when she'd go to casting, they didn't know what to do with her. So when she'd write about her Cuban Abuela (Grandma) then those details are what formed a unique character. Tip: Use those unique characteristics to create unique and diverse characters in your pieces. 

Javier Grillo-Marxuach (JGM), from Puerto Rico, talked about when he wrote The Middle Man in 1998 he had to fight not to make a character more Latinx in a role. He didn't want a character to break out in Spanish or have Salsa music when his character walked. Because he himself is Latinx but doesn't like Salsa music. Every Latinx is different and has different experiences. They're all coming from different backgrounds and traditions. Tip: When writing a diverse character, make them complex then give them a Latinx name. Make them competent at their job and that's enough. That stays away from stereotypes. 

They all spoke about how inclusivity is important so when other people see people like them on TV or in movies, then they stop feeling like the "other". 

Plus, how it's their job to educate the execs. That they need to advocate for more people of color in those positions. Once we get to those positions, we do too! 

JGM mentioned he was a product of a diversity program. And how execs have biases for diverse people. And in the past 10 years, there have been more execs of color. It's slow, but it's happening. 

They all mentioned how networks want inclusivity but then they pitch to them and they all say, tone it down, it's too Latino. So it's mixed messages. But let's hope as more Latinx get in the exec roles, the less we will hear this. 

JGM brought up how in TV, mentorships are missing. How important it is that when you sell a show, to find a Showrunner who will help your vision end up as the final product. Tip: Find a Showrunner who doesn't want to take over your show, but teach you how to run it. That way the Showruner can get it up and running, teach you everything, and then they can go off and run other shows and your show succeeds. 

Evangeline Ordaz (EO) talked about how refreshing it is when she's in a room of all Latinx. She called it putting her "white brain on". When you're in an all Latinx room, you don't have to speak in different words or jargon because people all come from similar backgrounds. 

JL moved from Miami 5 years ago and talked about how there were so many Latinx out there. But when she came to LA it wasn't like that. So she decided to create the content she wanted to see and wasn't seeing. Tip: Create what you want to see. There are obviously other diverse people who want to see that too! If it's a universal theme, a larger audience will too. 

JGM mentions he writes any character as you normally would, and then suggests, making them Latinx. He tries to make at least one lead Latinx. Why not all of us? 

EO says we're not just one thing, all Latinx people. We're many things! Basically, you can't lump Latinx into one category. When you do, again, you end up with stereotypes. 

Even recently in my own writing group, I shared my Latinx sitcom. I have an amazing writing group of talented female writers. I based all my Latinx characters after my real relatives. But one non-Latinx writer gave me a note and said, 'Oh such and such would never happen so don't do this." Uh, what? I literally based this off my cousin! So, tip: If you are not a diverse writer, be careful when you tell a diverse writer, "such and such can never happen." Yes, it can! That's what makes diverse characters real! And not stereotypes! If you're not a diverse writer, tread lightly on "can never happen" notes. 

So that's basically the Latinx zoom. I hope you found it as interesting as I did. And hope it helps you write better diverse characters. I look forward to seeing them on the screen someday! 

Don't shove theme down my throat

So I went to a short film festival a few weekends back. Okay, maybe more than a few weekends back. But you understand what I'm getting at. I go almost every year to this festival. Usually there are some good ones, okay ones, and some even close to bad ones.

This year, I went to an earlier time/hour than normal. So maybe that's why I wasn't really loving any of the films. Maybe they save the best ones for the later hours. But, what I did notice that wasn't working in pretty much all of them was that they all were forcing theme in our faces. Hitting us over the heads with it. But guess what? Theme is only supposed to be obvious to the writer! Not the people watching your film!

If you're watching a film and you come away thinking, "This movie was obviously about the family bonds", then that writer did not do their job. For instance, when you watch The Godfather, did you walk out going, wow, what a close family! Probably not. You probably just loved the drama and the fighting between the mob and all the Italians. It's not until you probably took a film class did you really think about wow, that was really about family and the loyalty between relatives and the loyalty with the mob family. Nowhere in the film did any of the characters say out loud, "I"m loyal to you." No! That would have been awful.

Some people swear that you have to have theme at the start of writing your script. Others say you don't and say it's okay if you stumble upon it and then pepper it throughout once you realize what it is. I say as long as you find the theme and put it in, who cares when you put it in. I personally put my theme in after I've started. Sure, I might have what I think is theme at the start. But sometimes, another real theme emerges and then that's what it becomes. The fact is, it doesn't matter when you find it. It just matters that you don't hit your audience over the head with it. Or I promise, your film will not resonate the way you think it will.

So get to writing that script. Add your theme. But just don't be so obvious, okay?

Happy writing!

And then it happened

So, I was hired over 10 years ago by a producer to write a script idea of hers. She had me write the script in two weeks. That was hell. Two weeks?! But she needed it, so I got it done. Here we are, over 10 years later, many, many rewrites later, many writers brought on and left, and it finally got made! So what did I learn from all of this?

First, when you're done writing a script, forget about it and start something new. I heard that many times from professional writers. It's true! I've written so many scripts since and thank god. Because if I waited for this to get made, I would have pulled my hair out.

Second, things can take time in this business. When I went to a WGA event with some big wig writer speaking, he said it took him over 10 years for his career to blossom. I was like, oh hell no, it better not take me that long! It's taken me longer. But if you're in this for the right reason, which is because you love to write, then just keep writing and stay in for the long haul.

Third, it was fun seeing my movie get made! I only went to one of the days on the set. They filmed three days in LA. I stayed as long as I was allowed. Then they go to India to film the rest. I'm not going. I was on sets years ago when I was in college and before I knew I was interested in being a writer. Back then I used to think being on a set was boring. Now that I love screenwriting, seeing my film was the coolest thing ever! Hearing actors read your piece, very cool. Seeing crew set up to film your movie, cool! Seeing craft services set up, for your movie, even cooler! Those are donuts, for my movie. Those are chips, for my movie. Those are apples, for my movie!

Fourth, seeing actor's faces and names in your movie imdb is really fun! I keep looking. Like wow, people!

Fifth, meeting the stars of your movie is pretty fun! Knowing people signed up because they liked your story and want to be in it, pretty darn cool! Okay, I've said cool a lot, I get it. But what else says that?

Sixth, waiting for the final piece is scary as hell. I have no idea what the movie will turn out to be. As a writer it sure is scary trusting that others will see your vision. You hope it's in the script. But directors and editors might have something else in mind. But, it's getting made. And everyone keeps telling me, that's all that matters. I hope! So in the meantime, I trust the others. And in the meantime, I keep working on all the other scripts I'm writing. Because...I'm in it for the long haul.

Break down your goals

So when we become screenwriters, I think it's safe to say that most of us think we'll write that one magic script, it will be our first of course, and then wham, we'll go on to being rich and famous, lunching with Brad and Angie of course, right? Yeah, doesn't work like that. Even when we read the trades that "Screenwriter sells first script!", I'm guaranteeing you that it was their first script they sold, not the first script they wrote. See, being a screenwriter whether in TV or film is not for the faint of heart. There is no overnight success. Even these young prodigies that might have some amazing writing career at lets say, 23, have probably been writing since they were five years old. I for one, did not hone my craft at five. And you most likely haven't either. So what's my point? That this journey might take a while and you have to be prepared for that. So instead of getting overwhelmed by it taking awhile, maybe you need to set many kinds of goals instead of: "become hugely successful screenwriter in 2015". Because if that's your only goal for this year, or any year, you might be disappointed and give up. So, instead, why not set up smaller goals, ones you can achieve.

For instance, if you're just starting out as a writer, perhaps your goals are like:
1. Take a screenwriting class.
2. Get an outline written
3. Write a first draft.

Maybe that's all you'll accomplish your first year.

If you've been writing a few years and have a few scripts written maybe it's goals like:
1. Enter the Nicholl's and other important contests
2. Find screenwriting producers I can query
3. Reach out to managers and get a script read

Because even those might not end up the successes you'd hope for. You might enter a contest, but not do well, query producers and managers and not hear back. So then you have to alter your goals again. Such as:

1. Take another screenwriting class to place higher in Nicholl's and other contests
2. Get yeses from producers to read scripts
3. Get managers to actually say yes they'll read a script

See the difference on setting goals? Instead of it being an all or nothing in your writing, make them smaller goals and adjust them every year. Every month if that helps. Because I've seen many talented writers drop out of this journey only because I think they thought it would be a quicker one than it was. But if you break down those goals, keep moving that finish line, eventually you're going to reach success. Doors are going to open. And before long, you'll have to tell Brad and Angie to stop bothering you to go to lunch, you're busy! :)

As High As The Sky

No, not me. It's the title of a little film that needs to get attention. I happen to know the writer, director, Nikki Braendlin, but hadn't been in touch in years. I saw on her Facebook that she started to film said movie and was excited for her and wondered what kind of movie it would be. Well as luck would have it, she posted this week that it was free on Hulu, with commercials. So I thought, sure, why not! I thought I'd watch it in two days because what writer has time to watch a movie in one sitting. Not me at least because I'm always writing something.

Well, I loved it so darn much I sat and watched the whole thing all the way through. I didn't just love it a little, or love it because I knew her. I looooved it! It was really well written, the characters were done so wonderfully, the story was heart-warming and sweet. From start to finish, Nikki just hit it out of the park. I have since gotten back in touch with her and we're going to catch up, because I was so darn impressed. But now it's your turn. You must watch this great little film. The message was great. I loved the casting. Really could have watched more of these characters even beyond this movie, and that's a rare thing to say. I won't give away any plot points or ending, but I'll just say it really touched me. I had never been more proud to say I know a fellow writer.

Just as I was writing this blog, I opened an email from Sundance touting "4 movies you must watch online right now". Well, I'm going to make it 5. Add As High As The Sky to your list. You'll be happy you did.

Do you take chances with your writing career?

When it comes to genres, we writers tend to get stuck in a type or genre of writing. Especially when it comes to film and TV. We hear that we need to form a body of work in order to sell and to have a career. But what if other opportunities present themselves? I'm one who believes that you just don't know where the next opportunity is going to come from. So I'm the last person to not try a new genre. So although comedy features were my favorite thing to write at first, I'm game to write just about anything! So when I found out someone wanted to read a sitcom from me, I partnered with a TV writer. I learned that I loved writing sitcoms and in fact it seemed easier to me than features! Then I found out someone wanted to read animation, so I partnered with someone who was good at this, learned how to do it. Now we're pitching animation shows and features. Then I found out someone wanted a sci-fi. This definitely wasn't my forte, so partnered with some sci-fi writer friends. So as you can see, it's okay to try new things. If worse comes to worse you find out for sure it's not your thing. But you grow as a writer, and there's nothing bad about that. We're writers. We're meant to be creative and try new things. There's nothing worse than seeing a writer stop themselves from success because they fear that can't do something new! In fact, I've seen it many times where a writer will have an opportunity and they say, oh yeah, I don't do that. In my mind I'm thinking, really? You could get a deal out of this, but you don't do that??? Just recently my new manager wanted to submit me for a TV show. Although it's something I love to watch, I wasn't sure I could write it. But I figured, why not? I was up for the challenge! So I told her yes, I could do it. And guess what, I've learned so much about myself as a writer. And I can already tell I can write this! Just because as a writer we haven't tried a genre, doesn't mean we are incapable of it. SO please, don't shoot yourself in the foot till you've at least tried! If someone is giving you the opportunity, do it! Take it! We only live once. So go for it! You just may surprise yourself.

"Come up" and come on down!

So writing my second review of the short films that I saw at the IFFCA film festival. I thought today I'd write about the topic, what if you're trying to do your own short film? Well, there's some things to consider first. Like knowing what is the best scenario and story to do for your film. I can imagine it's got to be a tricky thing for most writers/directors/producers, picking that one story. And a short one has to pack the punch of a feature, but quicker. For me, seeing what worked at the festival inspired me to want to do my own for sure.

Now I would say that there was no genre that was better over others, but what really mattered was if there was a story or not. There were a few short films, that I won't mention, that didn't really fit that bill and I felt suffered because of it. But the rest were great at being mini movies. So if you have yet to do your own short film and you're looking to try your hand at one, be sure you include the beginning, middle and end, with the goal and obstacles, just like any feature. And if you can, throw in a twist.

One of the short films that I felt did a great job at this was called "Come Up" directed by Christopher Boyd. It was a funny story based on an action film that happens on the set of an action film. A lot of the humor in this piece faired best with people in the industry, as you could hear them laugh the loudest during the film. Inside jokes, for sure, but that didn't mean people who hadn't worked on a set couldn't get enjoyment out of it. But I have heard from industry producers that movies about the biz don't do well outside of the group that makes them because regular movie-going folks just don't care or get the story as well. I think as far as doing a piece for a short film festival, doing a movie about the industry is perfect though. Because who else is probably going to see most of these festivals, but your movie biz peers? 

The people who created this film talked about how they figured this story out while on the set, which is another way to get your story ideas for shorts or any story you're writing. Write what you know, you know? Because when you do, the audience can tell and that comes across as a solid piece of film. 

Who's making a kids movie???

I have a nine-year-old son. So we see a lot of the animated movies that come out. For the most part, they're really good. The occasional stinkard comes out and we pass it up. But once in awhile a kid's movie comes out and it's directed/produced/written by the last person on earth that should be directing a kid's movie. Now I know, if you have power in Hollywood you can do anything you want. But I really do think someone needs to tell these people, "You can't direct this movie! You don't understand kids!" For instance, Speed Racer. Yes, I love the Wachowski team. I was mesmerized by the Matrix and left the theater in awe of them. But Speed Racer? I took my son when he was six years old. It was rated PG so I thought, how bad can it be??? There was nothing resembling the Speed Racer TV show I loved. It was all CGI effects with not much of a story line that was worth following. I'm sure in their mind it was exactly what they had hoped for. But the fact that it was aimed at kids too. Really??? The amount of cursing. The amount of violence. Please, make it a PG 13! My son was bored out of his mind and asked to leave 20 minutes into it. I was more than happy as no way did I want to subject my son to this. And if the story line was good, if the effects at all resembled my favorite childhood cartoon and not some futuristic race car world, then yes, I would have kept him and covered his eyes. Now this year is the holiday movie Rise of the Guardians, directed by Guillermo del Toro. He wrote Pan's Labyrinth which was one of my favorite dark movies of all time! Brilliant from start to finish. But Rise of the Guardians? Taken from the article written on deadline.com "$32.6M domestic box office for the five-day Thanksgiving holiday made it, in Janney Capital Markets’ Tony Wible’s words, “one of the most disappointing releases in the company’s history.”" Okay, my son could have predicted this. And in fact, did. When he saw the previews he said, "We are not going to see that. That does not look good." And when I saw the animation for it, I agreed. I could tell it was not geared toward any children I knew. So what gives? Yes Guillermo also worked on Kung Fu Panda 2 which my son and I loved. But maybe because it was already a strong franchise, he handled that well. But he also did Puss And Boots which again, my son had no desire to see! So what gives Hollywood? Why do you allow people like Guillermo and Wachowski to do children's movies when there are obviously so many other talented folks in Hollywood that will know how to appeal to kids? I'm not sure what the answer is. Other than to have Hollywood stand up to these successful powerhouses and say, "Nope! You don't get to work on this film!" Or if they can't do that, they just invite a room full of your target audience to see the storyboards and see if it even interests them! I guarantee you'll save the studio millions of dollars. If you're not sure who to find, I have a 9-year-old that so far has never been wrong. Luckily my latest holiday script I want to write he's given a thumbs up.

You can never have too many screenplay ideas

How many ideas do you come up with for screenplays? Do you do new ones each week? Or just when they come to you? Well, I read somewhere recently that this writer submits a new screenplay idea to her managers each and every day. Every day! Sure they're not all great. But it's wonderful practice to have to force yourself to keep coming up with new ideas. So I've decided to adopt that as my daily practice too.

If I'm reading a news article I like, I jot it down into something that could be a film. Or if someone mentions something funny I could see as a germ of an idea, I jot that down. I keep an ongoing list of ideas that might be my next script, or who knows, even something I could pitch to a producer. I've had many screenwriting teachers tell me to keep a list of ongoing ideas you can write or pitch. So I've always been good about it. But now I'm really getting good at it.

And you never know how or when you'll need it. For instance a working screenwriting friend of mine had a pitch meeting for certain comedy talent. And these talent were so specific, that most of the other writers that went in all pitched the same ideas. But my friend had such a list of ideas in his back pocket that they were the only ones that pitched something truly original that these guys could be in. And guess, what? They got the project and it was his first film actually made and put in the theaters.

So it just shows you how important it is to have a plethora of ideas. Even in advertising, my day job, I spend my whole day coming up with new ideas, seeing things in new and interesting ways. And when I worked with a TV producer on docudrama ideas, I had so many for him, he didn't know what to do with them all. But it's because I've had years and years of practice of always coming up with more and new ideas. And guess what? He loves working with me. And now it looks like we're going to start producing things together. So it just goes to show, keep germinating those ideas. You never know if you'll use them. But somehow, somewhere, you will.

Judgement Day

So I found out yesterday that I didn't move forward in the Amazon screenwriting contest. I told you I'd share whether I did advance or not. It's never fun finding out your script was not one of the chosen ones. But you never know why one script gets chosen over another. It's possible the other ones were better, it's possible the readers just liked these for who knows what reason. All I know is I wasn't chosen. But this whole business is so subjective.

I'll never forget the time I was listening to the writer of The English Patient on KCRW. It was right after he won the Academy Award for writing for that movie. And he was telling a story about how the day after he won the award, he's in England where I think he's from, and he opens the paper and reads on the front of it and the headlines are something like, "England viewers choose The English Patient as the worst movie ever" or some horribly mean thing about his writing. And that's when I told myself, I will never again worry about if I can't please everyone with my writing. There's just no possible way you can. I mean, here's this Academy Award winner, and the whole country of England hated his film! Of course, as a writer, you need to have your trusted critics, like other strong writers who you respect, get their opinion. But no matter who you are, someone is not going to like your film. It just is how it's going to be. If an Academy Award winner is going to be panned by the whole country of England, what chance do we stand? All you can do is make your script the best it can be, and go from there.

Even another story of a talented writer friend of mine, who's had a few scripts sold and produced, before he got an agent, one agent told him that his first script was the worst thing she's ever read and there was nothing funny about it at all. He's a comedy writer, mind you. My friend's writing partner was ready to give up on their writing career, but my friend wouldn't let him. Then about a week later, a lawyer got their script around town and everyone liked it and they had a career from that point on. And I've read the script and it's very funny and very well written. So it goes to show, you just never know who's going to get your script. But you can't give up. You just have to keep writing, keep getting better, and keep getting it out there until that one person who believes in you and your writing finds you.

So yes it's a bummer my script didn't go far in this Amazon contest, but I've had enough really strong comments and feedback on it, from writers I really admire, and that's what I have to trust.

Then on a side note, the indie producer I've been working with, called me tonight to tell me she's ready to get back to finishing up the script I've been rewriting for her. She's hoping to get it produced in 2012. So that's exciting! So we're going to finish the rewrite next week and hopefully before the New Year is over. So that would be exciting.

And me and this other indie producer are meeting with the writer on Monday for the horror thriller we are hoping to produce. This will be the first time we have met her in person, so this is exciting.

So I could have an indie movie in production, producing my first film, and another script of mine produced by a huge studio! So even though the people of Amazon contest did not think I was worthy, there are plenty of other exciting opportunities in the works. That's what I have to remember. No matter what happens with some scripts, others are doing really well. And that's got to mean something.

Out of this world

So I watched PAUL tonight, that alien comedy movie starring Seth Rogen as the alien, with a slew of other big names like Kristen Wiig, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, Jane Lynch, a small part at the end with Sigourney Weaver, and some nice parts by Bill Hader and Jo Lo Truglio. It stars these two British guys, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who's mission in the movie is to travel America to see all the supposed alien sites. Only thing is, they meet Paul and end up on a journey to help him travel to a spot so he can meet his space ship and return home.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw it. The trailer didn't look great, some funny moments, but nothing that made me run out and see it in the theater. But I love Seth Rogen, so figured it couldn't be that bad....And you know what? I was delightfully surprised. This was a heart warming comedy that had a pleasant message that kept me laughing throughout. By the end of the movie, I was happy I had seen it, and know I'll be sure to share with all my friends that they should put it on their must see list too.

The fun thing about the movie too was that they had fun poking fun at all the alien movies we've known to love. And Kristen Wiig being one of my favorite actresses, for a long time, longer than Bridesmaids, I'll have you know, is as sweet and funny in this as all her other movies. If you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out.