Screenwriting : The influence of world events on your work by James Calder

Every year there are scores of films that are loosely or firmly based on real-life events. I'm sure the situations you described will inspire films and documentaries as well. I know a writer who is working on a documentary script about how the Democratic National Committee betrayed Bernie Sanders, and wouldn't be surprised if dozens of others are working on one, too. And now that Calexit is pickup up a little steam....even though it will never happen...I wouldn't be surprised if dozens of writers are writing a script about that, or if any filmmakers are already documenting that.

I've been working on a rewrite of a script in which (coincidentally, really) the antagonist is a evil 70-year-old billionaire. During a recent rewrite phase I was inspired to include some specific Trump-like elements (a crooked "Foundation" figured into one pass). But ultimately my main takeaways were more character-based: insight into the toxic relationships with his children, a better sense of the conscience-free worldview that leads to that kind of malignant psychological profile, etc.

But if I had been working on my screwball romcom musical, probably not so much. :)

I wrote a short Drama script following Brexit which looked at prejudice and racism, think that's the first time world politics has inserted itself into my writing... dare say it won't be the last.

Not me, James. I have not been moved to shelve or change a screenplay I'm working on because of recent developments. In fact it makes me feel more of a need for non political entertainment. When I look around I want even more to take a couple of hours away and be entertained. When I sit down to write I welcome the time to NOT think about recent developments and do what I love to do. Entertain people with stories.

I agree with you D Marcus. The dynamic of my story has not changed. Keeping politics out of my work...unless a fat check is involved. lol

Well, it has not affected my stories, but it has affected me. I'm deeply concerned about so much, that I find it hard to work. Very distracted right now.

Beth hold you head up...things really will get better. It took a minute for me to want to write. But today, I was able to write 5 new pages....I'm so proud of that accomplishment. I'm adapting my new book "The American Breeder An Untold Story" into a screenplay. Be concerned but don't let it stop you.

Thanks, Patrice. Much appreciated. I'm happy to hear you're doing well. :) For me, it's not so much that I feel "stopped." It's that my attention/energy is elsewhere. I may have to block myself away from all media. Lol!

I get where you're coming from D Marcus and Patrice (and everyone else for that matter). My wife dragged me off to watch La La Land on the day of Trump's inauguration and when I came out - full of wonder, I have to say - the last thing I was thinking about was him. It's a tricky question, I think: deciding whether to reflect what's going on around us or to give audiences a slice of escapism, or to marry the two even. I don't know. I'm going to press on with my story but that doesn't mean to say I won't be conflicted about doing so in the weeks ahead. And I'm with you, Beth: a self-imposed news blackout sounds like a really good idea right now.

It's part of a writer's job to address the tough issues, whether it be to create empathy or open people's eyes to what goes on in the world, but it's also our job to provide escapism and entertainment. I think write what you have passion for at the time. There will always be many writers addressing the serious stuff with their work, and there will always be writers creating work that is primarily for entertainment. But even in genre movies/books there are serious messages authors impart, even if they don't mean to. Whatever you write will have hopefully have a positive impact on the audience, whether it's to educate or entertain. Look how Ellen Degeneres explained the deeper meaning she found within Finding Nemo. No matter what you write, there will be an audience for it, so write what your creative soul tells you to :).

Stop watching the news, throttle back on social media and watch La La Land... perfect antidote!

And if all else fails, weave it into your stories.

I have been wondering about the same lately: Does my work matter in today's world full of bad news? -- I come from Germany and we have many fugitives arriving here from Syria etc. every day. One cannot imagine what these people must have been going through! -- But also the Trump presidency is a matter of great concern, also here. His attitude towards women is appalling! My current screenplay -- a female-driven historical action drama in ancient Persia -- is getting ever more mature, now in its second draft, and I had already included allusions to the crisis of the fugitives (since this problem has been with us for years by now), the setting being Mosul amongst others (yes, this is a very old city and was already there in the 6th century AD ;-) ). Also, having a heroine save the day in a downright patriarchy is something that I would like to think of as highly topical w.r.t. Trump's views of life. HOWEVER -- I must admit that my motivation to write this script was not primarily political. I simply thought that it was time to show the strength of women in other ways and in others cultures.

People see enough news every day ...films/novels have a way to lift people out of the norm..into a world of ...suspended disbelief..... that's the magical transcendal

Another slant - as time passes sometimes fictional scenarios you created, or tech you used, or a type of character, actually happen in real life and are seen on the news etc.

Yes, Ruth, I share the same concerns. However I do feel more emboldened to say more, do more, be more, address issues, stand up, push back. In that way it has affected what I wish to do with my work. I wish to create, support, praise, and further explore female-driven stories.

My novel is female in jeopardy...on voyage transportation ......

I was into a mostly fiction but loosely based on real people political script during the election. I wrote with the thought in my head Hillary would likely win. After the Trump win, I had to change my approach to make the story stay relevant. So, I guess Trump's win didn't cause me problems as much as my naive thinking that Hillary was a given.