A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to adapt my autobiography into a film. I didn't know where to begin so, I hired a screenwriter. At the time, I had never read a script and knew little to nothing about the industry.
While I will say the the person who wrote the screenplay did a good job, I felt it lacked authenticity. This was especially true regarding the international setting, different cultural nuances, etc... I began to wonder if I'd be better off writing it myself.
So, I enrolled in a couple screenwriting classes and did page one rewrite.
Currently, I have another biopic in mind that I would like to begin outlining. However, I'm hesitant. I'd like to avoid creating a similar scenario to the one mentioned above.
Any ideas on how to accurately portray the main character in a biopic? Part of me thinks it would be a good idea to visit and experience the setting I plan to write about to achieve this...
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Well....you can portray "accuracy" however you want. Scenes could include events that really happened; that didn't really happen, but that convey the message and person properly; or a combination of both.
I wrote a bio-pic story about the first African-American female to own and run a record company in America; the first to appear as a model on the cover of a national magazine; and who helped create a look and style that positively affected America and the world in some tumultuous times. She also had a full family life; a romantic life; and a social life. She also felt the stings of racism and sexism when she went shopping; dealt with white male execs; and traveled around the country with the bands that were a part of her companies. She also was a photographer in a night club in her young 20's; loved to ride horses; and loved spending time in England. She was also very determined; very fun; and an inspiration to those around her.
So I accurately compiled all of that, and much more, and accurately mixed in the scenes of her life to fulfill the intent of the script. It spanned around 20 years, and has 40 scenes over 99 pages. I also had over 30 other scenes that weren't in the final script, but that don't distill the essence, purpose and power of the story with their omissions.
So you can convey what you want to convey in a story and its scenes that have a defined intent and purpose; and utilize real events that really happened, or fictitious events that didn't really happen, but that faithfully capture the person/intent/message nonetheless. It's up to you, the writer, to tell the story you want to tell, or to write the story that someone else wants you to write.
Best fortunes to you in your creative endeavors (and your decision making), Ryan!
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Just don’t be boring, entertain, pick a side of History and a point of view. Look at recent Oscar biopics: Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody, Blackkklansman, First Man. The filmmakers used their artistic license to tell their stories.
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Hi Bill, This biopic you wrote sounds really interesting! If you don't mind my asking, what came of it? Was it produced?
Hey Dan, I'm all for using one's artistic license.
I'm referring to cultural accuracy. Maybe I am overthinking it but, I have two stories in mind that I want to write about. For example, one man's journey from Kenya to Dubai, or another based in Saudi Arabia.
So often, I see inaccurate portrayals of different countries in Hollywood. Unfortunately, many movie-goers do not even realize it. So, I was wondering how to avoid making the same mistake. When I finish a project, I ask myself: "If I show this to a person from "insert country", will they identify with it or will they laugh at it's inaccuracies.
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Ryan: it's the story of Gwen Gordy, who is Berry Gordy's late sister, and who owned three record labels before Motown was founded. It's had a lot of interest in the past few years, and is currently being considered by several major media entities.
It's a big-budget epic type-of story with a lot of Motown folks/songs, and pre-Motown songs, and hopefully a Green-Light article will be in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter soon. It's a pretty complex situation, given the nature of it. Fingers crossed!
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Ryan!
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Ryan Bow You can only control what's on the page. So my take is to write universal truths w/ emotions only you can tell - your point of view. Use the tools of the trade - the craft - to make your world (Dubai, Kenya, Outer Space, wherever) as accurate as possible... and toss in some imagination.
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I try to be as accurate as I can. And, do research to support that goal. However, I'm more concerned about writing an entertaining screenplay. I've written biopic stories about Angela Davis, Charles Bukowski and JD Salinger. Also an adventure story about Michael Rockefeller. Since I don't know what these people actually said in conversations about real events, I have to put myself into the heads of those folks, and then be creative.
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Hi Ryan, there’s some really good advice here on how we have to research... and not just read a couple books... I mean in-depth research for every story we write. It’s no different whether you doing a biopic or a completely fictional work. You wouldn’t write your story without building out your story world and you wouldn’t write your story without laying down your story structure. Your story structure is going to be based on five things; the over arching motivation of your lead character, the desire line of your lead character, the internal need of your lead character, the primary theme of the story you want to tell and the resulting end revelation you want your character to experience. Using these elements as the foundation of your structure guarantees that you’re going to put in a really good effort to find the emotional accuracy that you need for your characters to be truthful. The research you do will help you create accuracy within your story world. That being said there is nothing like living in the culture you’re writing about. Most of is don’t have that luxury so we have to do the best we can. Research, research, research.
Sounds like a fun project Bill. I hope to see it in theaters one day! I was born and raised in Michigan so I'm a big fan of Motown music!
Good point Dan. I think telling a story from a POV I can relate to will definitely help with accuracy.
I really like your approach Michael. If a story feels inaccurate, the research probably wasn't as in-depth as it could have been. I am a big fan of outlining everything thoroughly before I begin writing. For my next script, I will try using the story structure and the five points you mentioned to get me started.
Nice Ryan, I recommend really digging into story structure, learn from every source you can and work with it until you discover the method that really speaks to you. Story structure is the most important element in writing... and it is a tremendous Kraken of a beast. Start now.:)
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Hey Ryan, Aaron Sorkin has a really good point of view on this. He says (and I am paraphrasing), I am not writing a documentary. I don't know for sure if these conversations happened exactly the way I am portraying them. But I am attempting to capture the spirit of the story and the character based on a real person.
I completely agree with you that you need to know that real person inside and out if you can, but also, allow yourself dramatic license to capture the theme and essence of the character and their journey.