Waste of Time

 

“You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library” Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.

I wasn't born with raw talent - for anything! But I acquired talent over the years. I was shy and stuttered, but I eventually became a public speaker and once spoke at the same conference as First Lady Barbara Bush. We were both in the speaker's lounge, and I wanted to talk to her, but when those big guys with guns started toward me, I hurried back to my own couch area. I'm shy and afraid of everything. I'm like the Gorginites in Small Soldiers; my greatest ability is to run and hide.  In addition, my mother said that I was so uncoordinated as a kid that I could trip over a bobby pin in a shag carpet, but I became a certified yoga teacher. I believe in attacking things with everything that I've got to succeed. I went to college to get a degree in International Agriculture with a goal to teach the world how to grow food. Lots of things diverted my path, but I ended up changing to agribusiness, then business, and finally accounting and computer science. How I got from designing accounting software to screenwriting is for another blog; this one is about education and screenwriting. Do you need a formal education to be a successful screenwriter?

If you have talent, raw talent, and a great idea, run out and buy a book on screenwriting and learn screenwriting software. My first book was by Cynthia Whitcomb, who I'll talk about in another blog, and I have probably read a dozen or more over the years. Of course, my favorite is written by my manager, Alexia Melocchi, An Insider's Secret: Mastering the Hollywood Path and after reading that, I decided I needed representation, but I'll cover that in another blog. This blog is about whether or not an education is important if you want to be a screenwriter. So, even though I was a highly educated CPA and computer programmer when I took off this path, I wanted to learn screenwriting from the best - and I did.

I found out that UCLA had an online screenwriting program.  Jack Sowards (above left,) who wrote Star Trek – Wrath of Kahn and Jim Schmerer (center,) who wrote for some of the most popular series of the 1970s and ’80s, including MacGyver, CHiPs, Vega$, Fantasy Island and Starsky & Hutch, were my instructors.  I met a friend online, Dana Biscotti Myskowski (right,) and when we graduated from the Advanced Program and attended our graduation ceremony at UCLA, Jim and Jack took Dana and me out to dinner.  These two wonderful gentlemen told Dana and me that we were the best writers in the class which gave us both a lot of encouragement to continue. I had acquired talent with education.

I think UCLA is the best, and I have the t-shirt to confirm that. UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television combines theory and practice, with students learning both writing and production. I'm with a lofty group;  Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants), and David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man) all studied here.

Of course, the USC School of Cinematic Arts is considered the premier institution for screenwriting - by some. Their Writing for Screen & Television program has produced writers like John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood), George Lucas, and Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal). The program emphasizes both craft and industry connections, with many students getting represented by major agencies before graduation.

When I won the Native American Media Alliance Fellowship, my instructor, Matt Black (Umma with Sandra Oh), was also a lecturer at AFI Conservatory, which offers an intensive two-year screenwriting program. While smaller than some other programs, it's produced by writers like David Lynch, Darren Aronofsky, and Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot). The program is known for its mentor-based approach and small class sizes. Matt was a huge fan of David Lynch and even has an ear tattoo on his arm in honor of Lynch's Blue Velvet. It is a movie I hate.

NYU Tisch School of the Arts has a renowned dramatic writing program that covers both screenwriting and playwriting. Notable alumni include Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea), Tony Kushner (Lincoln, Angels in America), and Donald Glover. The New York location gives students unique access to both film and theater industries.

Columbia University's Film MFA program has a strong emphasis on dramatic writing fundamentals. Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Mangold (Walk the Line, Logan), and Simon Kinberg (X-Men franchise) are among its graduates.

Interestingly enough, one of my two favorite screenwriters, Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network, Newsroom, American President), was actually a theater acting major at Syracuse University before turning to writing - but I think he drips with raw talent. But my best is Chuck Lorre, who dropped out of Suny to pursue a career in songwriting and got his break when he co-wrote the soundtrack to the 1987 television series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Dennis Challen Brown. Chuck jumped right into TV and is the best TV writer of all time, and I'm sure his investment banker agrees. Lorre eventually received an honorary degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam and gave a keynote address at a graduation ceremony. I hope he paid his library fines first!

So, how would I answer the question about education? Obviously, for some - it isn't necessary, but if you have the time and money and, like me, a quart low on raw talent, go for it. If you're young, spending some time at college can help you grow and make lifelong connections that I didn't have. If you're not in LA, then an online class or fellowship will save you hundreds of thousands of dollars. The answer to that question is in your head – did you wake up this morning with an idea so amazing that you must get it on paper? Buy a couple books, read a couple scripts and buy Final Draft or get the free version of FadeIn and start writing! 

If you want to build a career, get Alexia's book, learn about Hollywood and move out there. If you like going to school, pick UCLA (just kidding) or check out your local college and see if they have a screenwriting program. What I don't recommend is getting an MFA and learning creative writing. Screenwriting is creative, but it is mostly writing about life and is about people speaking and reacting through action. I'm not sure learning about Shakespeare and 14th century poets is the way to get good at screenwriting. But when it comes to writing, that quote in Good Will Hunting is right - and that script won both the Golden Globe and Oscar for best screenplay for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.  Like Matt Damon's line, "education might be a terrible waste of money."

Make it Work, Make it Better, and then Make it the Best

One of my most exciting consulting engagements was a programming job for IBM. I went to the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Albany, NY, and wore my favorite power suit for the calling up to the "mothership" of computer technology. I was early, and I watched employees arrive in attire that looked more like sleepwear than business attire.  When my contact person met me, he explained that programmers work there, and they were encouraged to be comfortable and focused on the task. He told me that our goal for the two days was to “make it work, make it better, and then make it the best.” 

With my first novel, Sleep Warrior, I am on the 9^th rewrite. I wrote the first draft a year ago to get it ready for the annual conference of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I got two critiques, and both thought that the story worked but told me many ways to make it better. Next, I started a process of peer review, asking various middle-school teachers, parents, and students to read it. It started getting better over the past year during each rewrite.

Last month, I entered the Screencraft Competition for Cinematic Books and paid extra for feedback. I won’t know until next month if I’m close to the “best” goal and a finalist, but the feedback was positive and moved me up to 3^rd place in the Red List on Coverfly. 

I also entered my 2^nd novel, Murder at the Magic Kingdom, and it didn’t fare so well with the same reader. It didn’t “work,” and I’ve spent the past month making it better. I had to change my "kick-ass" girl detective from entering middle school to high school and the age category to young adult due to the violence from bullying, and of course, the whole “murder” thing might not be appropriate. It is odd because, during one of the breakout sessions at the SCBWI conference, one of the presenters said she’d like to see a murder mystery in middle-grade fiction, but I’m not sure everyone is ready for that, and the goal is to reach the widest audience and avoid getting blocked by the gatekeepers. But doing this rewrite up to YA let me add a romance for my main character, which was delightful to write. Ahh...first love. I hope that Murder at the Magic Kingdom is better, and I’m looking for some peer review if you’re interested in helping me make it the best.

https://sandijerome.com/free/MurderattheMagicKingdomPDF.pdf

Here is the coverage (feedback) I received for Sleep Warrior   

“This novel features a strong premise, compelling characters, and a satisfying narrative arc. The concept here works extremely well. You’re blending elements of an Adventure and Mystery here. Both genres hold an evergreen appeal for young audiences, and the market potential for an adaptation comes across clearly. The supernatural plot elements add a deeper texture to the premise. Centering this story in the experience of a half-Cherokee middle schooler allows you to explore a relevance and representation that’ll bolster the story’s appeal.

 In addition, Aya’s interest in technology provides an added STEM focus that the publishing and film industries greatly favor at this time. You might contemplate whether a feature film or series adaptation would better serve your vision for the story, as either option could certainly work. Because Aya’s middle school age, you might also consider live-action over animation, as that format may appeal more strongly to the intended “tween” demographic for a story such as this.

 The characters are compelling, relatable and charming. They’re complex and interesting: Aya’s conflicting feelings about her Cherokee roots, for example, Andrea depicted as a fiery, multitasking super mom, Adam as the vegan “peacemaker” of the family, or “salty, crusty, and fearless” (page 39) Grandma Enola. These are appealing characters, but you cleverly keep them grounded in relationship. An audience or reader feels their connection deeply, which raises the stakes of the story. Aya cleaning her feet on her pajamas and kicking them into a pile (page 3), for example, her desire to fit in, or her disgust at witnessing affection between her parents (page 5) are character details that will make her deeply relatable to her audience.

 The dialogue works well, featuring a naturalistic tone that serves to bring the character voices to life on the page. The relationships and family rituals are communicated particularly effectively: in lines like, “By Grabthar’s Hammer, you shall be avenged!” (page 8), Adam’s affectionate “Dynamite” nickname for Aya and “Firecracker” for Andrea, and Alec and Adam’s “Grrrrr” ritual on seeing the Bear Zoo (page 32). Dialogue like this emphasizes the relationships and traditions of Aya’s family, giving a visceral sense of their history and deep connection. This provides a strong background for the narrative and will serve to deepen an audience’s investment in the characters.

 The voice of the novel and Aya’s voice are one-in-the same, and her personality comes through well in the narration. The action is clearly communicated, but if you’re interested in a cinematic adaptation, I would recommend enhancing the visual descriptions of the narrative to ensure the cinematic potential for the story comes through on the page. You might, for example, give a more detailed visual description of the setting, using natural imagery to evoke a stronger atmospheric tone and communicate more about the stylistic approach to an on-screen adaptation.

 The story and structure are effective here. You initially introduce an intriguing mystery with Aya’s waking up wet, then set that aside to introduce the world and central characters with Megan’s taunting of Alec and Aya’s revenge plot. The narrative flows seamlessly between the central plot and a deeper glimpse at Aya’s internal concerns and conflicts. The story’s arc is complete, and each plot beat flows organically, one to the next. The choice to shift perspective, on occasion, to Nightwind, is particularly cinematic. It builds tension and effectively communicates the dramatic potential.

 Overall, this narrative would translate well to the screen, and I believe there’s a place in the current marketplace for your story.”

Here is the link in case you want to read and comment. I'm looking for a publisher and/or agent.

https://sandijerome.com/free/SleepWarrior%20Sandra_JeromeRWPDF.pdf 

How about my IBM job? We spent the first day making it work. It was hard not to stop and do things better, but he was right because I slept fine that night because we had a working routine. The next day was actually fun - making it better. The program was for Saab, and years later that was our first dealership where we installed our DMS DealerStar. It all came full circle for me and that dealership is still using the software we wrote, even after Saab is gone. After we sold DealerStar, I retired, but I still use that goal in my writing of “make it work, make it better, and then make it the best.”  

Years later, I was called to another mothership, Microsoft, but that story is for another blog, I did dress much more comfortably.  

 

 

Teachers make a Difference

 

Mrs. Dankowsky and Mr. Alstrum were my two favorite teachers. I had Mrs. Dankowsky for two years; 2nd and 3rd grade. She had done such a good job fixing my stutter in 2nd grade that my mom insisted she stay our teacher for the next year.  I'm the person in the center of the photo - 2nd row, 4th from our lovely teacher.

Mr. Alstrum was my civics teacher for my senior year. He left my high school 22 years later and then became a middle-grade teacher until he retired. We email each other about once a month and I asked him to read my middle-grade fantasy book based on my Cherokee ancestors and he said, “Thanks for letting me read Sleep Warrior. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and was impressed with the depth and breadth of knowledge readers will gain from it, as well as its contemporary relevance. I’m overwhelmed by the creativity and research that is so evident!”  I'm trying to get it published and will probably get lots of rejection emails, but this comment means so much.  If you want to read it, just send me an email to sandi.jerome@gmail.com.

As I remember him in high school, he wasn’t one to hand out compliments; you’ll notice when he signed my yearbook that put quotes around "good" student and he mentioned “when you were there” because I cut class a lot. High school was easy for me and I easily got bored and preferred to read the text instead of sitting in class.  But his class was worth attending.  I went to OGHS in the 1970s. Escondido was a Republican stronghold and Richard Nixon had just taken office as President; serving the whole time while I was in high school.  In my senior year, as some of my male classmates worried about going to Vietnam, the debate about the war took center stage in our civics class.  

It was taught by these two amazing guys; Bill Rutledge Jr., and Stan Alstrum.  I was the photo editor for the yearbook and staged this photo because they were always "fighting." 

They moved back the partition between two classrooms and “team” taught two classes together.  I think it was a first for OGHS.  As you can see in this picture; Mr. Alstrum tended to be the more liberal guy (eschewing the tie) and Mr. Rutledge was the more conservative.  Mr. Rutledge was raised in a Navy home.  My best friend, Laura liked Mr. Rutledge best, having worked with him and the swim team. She was also raised like my husband in a conservative military family. We often had heated debates since she was raised Republican (Nixon) and my family was long-time farming/labor union Democrats (Kennedy.)

Mr. Alstrum was voted our favorite teacher by our class.  Partway through my senior year, I was already accepted at Cal Poly and all scholarships had been applied for.  I had enough credits to graduate, but some obscure school rule said I had to take a minimum of 4 classes my last semester.  When I complained to Mr. Alstrum, he suggested that I be his teacher’s assistant for period 4, which was his lunch hour.  This enabled me to get to work by 11AM and work the day shift at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor to save money for college.

The debates offered by these two amazing teachers helped me see both sides; since I adored both of them.  To this day, I don’t take a liberal or conservative view of anything; instead, I use the skills these two guys taught me to investigate the full issue and then debate the pros can cons.    Sadly Mr. Rutledge died early in 1990 at 47 – with Mr. Alstrum as his friend to the end. 

Teachers truly make a difference in our lives and I hope they know how much we appreciate them!  I have an offer on YouTube for free books for teachers or other school employees.

https://youtu.be/mZKzqtWIzuk