A4: Part II – Final Blog

In my very first blog post for this studio, I set out a major creative aspiration. I hoped to reclaim my writing integrity through the nature of ‘presence’ in screenwriting. I felt tired of over justifying and explaining myself in multiple facets of my life.

Writing is an outlet. It helps this.

Until it cripples you.

But then you refine.

And it helps. Eventually.

 

My screenplay concept came with a couple challenges (or eventual joys).

Firstly, the fact that my work is fiction, yet based on something very real. Beside the delicate subject matter of dementia’s pain, this story is based on my real experiences and memories. INCEPTION.

When referencing or adapting real life happenings, creative intuition can instinctively tell you that its good stuff, simply because you’ve lived the situations. At some process points, I couldn’t help but wonder, do I think my story’s sense is ‘good’ onscreen because of my prior experiences? That’s where external creative minds come in handy. (More on this coming up).

Secondly, I had to battle out the subtitles vs no subtitles for my Italian dialogue. With my classmates’ assurance, I finally decided to simply translate where appropriate for plot.  Hannah actually raised a great point about it: that a screenplay with language foreign to the reader, is yet another outlet for audiovisual storytelling! I did subconsciously know this  but didn’t properly acknowledge it. Hearing it from someone else made a real impact and encouraged me to astutely tune in on body language, gesture and sound, particularly in those dialogue instances.

 

My greatest revelation about my own creative practice in this studio, is that editing is my default setting. Not to say I can’t come up with ideas, but I’m super critical about them, and my mojo lies in the editing process. I honestly find it so much fun! In hindsight I should have granted myself much more editing time, (I only got my first proper top to tail draft done a week before the due date.) Nonetheless it’s all a learning process, and I am truly proud of my final screenplay and accompanying material. I feel my writing dexterity has improved a hell of a lot, and that I am more aware of action. I don’t naturally write in the passive voice so much anymore. So thanks Stayci!!

My biggest highlight of the studio has been workshopping ideas, scripts, and writing exercises. I feel that sharing your work truly brings it to life, and there is great value in opinionated classmates. Reading/hearing your writing aloud is invaluable, and truly I wish we did more of it to offer/receive more advice in the lead up to submission. (It probably would have encouraged me to get my first draft out faster too.)

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of a table read. I liked the industry vibe and more importantly, I see how efficient it is for creative practice – it forces you to be so aware and critical of your work, as well as of the suggestions made for it by others. You learn about the boundaries and protections of your own work,and then you see why someone interpreted something that way, and if that’s better or worse than you had intended. (And that it all needs a trip back to the refining table.)

I have throughly enjoyed this studio and getting back in touch with my creative writing and critical thinking.