Screenwriting : Woke writing by Stephen Floyd

I'm on the same page as you.

I've been hired to write scripts about a time-traveling Indigenous Australian, a teenage Olympic skier from the Himalayas, a piano player from Italy, British female pilots from WWII, etc. - and I am none of those things. I'm a middle-aged white guy. Do I wish equal opportunity for those writers who are not? Sure! Do I feel guilty for being hired for those jobs? No, and nor should I. Did being 'white and male' have anything to do with it? Perhaps, but my life experiences and the talent I brought to the table were what sealed the deal. Writers live in the realms of imagination and empathy, not in boxes defined by the color of our skin. What nuances we miss at first, we investigate, explore, research, and inquire into. As long as we do this, any claim of 'cultural appropriation' is BS. As is any view that a writer should not be hired because they weren't born in the right country.

Of course, that cuts both ways. More doors need to be opened to make the playing field level, but those who walk through them should not be considered replacements for those who are already in the room. They are a welcome addition to the talent pool.

That's what I would say.

I think it’s less complicated than we’re often led to believe. The core of the issue is only our characters should tell us what goes in our stories, and any other input we take is really a courtesy.

Kay, I see your point of excellent writing wins. But there are stories which demand in-culture born and bred knowledge. I have a TV pilot about switching bodies; one location was Mongolia. I had a Mongolian film student in LA review it. When she was done laughing, I corrected it.

Can you or I write Mar de Plastico? I think not. There is simply too much local culture that drives the conflict in the series.

Having learned my lesson I sent a script with an episode in BC on the Rez to a Native writer to correct.

I guess it's natural to place those stereotypes based on race. I can see why they would make that assumption. Personally, I don't believe race has anything to do with it, but I do believe knowledge and experience play a part. There are white people who know more about a black persons culture than black people themselves, because they're passionate about immersing themselves in that knowledge, and the same can be said for many different races. So hey, if someone has the knowledge of the cultural background and can craft a great story, then by all means...

Why does Bill delete his replies rather than stick up for himself? It’s not like I called him names.

Phil Parker "Did being 'white and male' have anything to do with [getting the job]?" It absolutely did - and a major role at that. That's at the root of the problem many writers-of-color cite. That being "white and male" automatically gets you in a room where a POC wouldn't even get an invite. Did excellent writing seal the deal? Absolutely. But an equally excellent writer-of-color would rarely get the same chance as a white guy (doubly so if it was a woman-of-color). On Twitter, you'll find some top people (Liz Alper and Javier Grillo-Marxuach come to mind) arguing much better than I about this whole subject.

What I've come to see is that "white privilege" is a real thing - it is oftentimes so subconscious, so automatic, so ingrained in the biz, that white people don't believe it's a thing. But it is.

Stephen Floyd Yes, a writer can (and should) do research on a culture in order to write within that framework (vetting from someone in that culture, if possible, is always good, too).

But if you're a writer, writing about the ISSUES, CHALLENGES, PERSPECTIVES of a person in that culture, you better be a writer from that culture.

Me, as a white guy, shouldn't try to write about what it means to be African-American in Mississippi; or what it means to be a Latin teenager in LA, or a Muslim woman in Iran, and so on. It would be hubris to think I could write authentically in those circumstances.

To recap: as a white guy writing a story set in another culture, even with characters from that culture, immersion and research are valid. If a white guy is writing about the issues an "underrepresented" culture faces--DON'T.

And don't ever think, as "white and male" that the playing field is level. Opportunities exist for us that would never (until the world fundamentally changes) be available to a person of color, or a woman.

Okay, climbing down from my soapbox, now. :)

To assume the writer in question got the job just because he was white, and that his writing ability was secondary, is unfair unless you were in the room. I will say his name carries street cred in Mexico because he wrote the first draft for Mask of Zorro, so that may have played a role. I think it’s a fiction that writers (white people in particular) should stay in their lane and not venture into cultures not their own. Because no issue is unique to a culture, rather all forms of struggle and tragedy are common to humankind. It wouldn’t be hubris to write about different cultures, it would be proper application of storycraft.

Well, the person who commented that your instructor isn’t “qualified” because he isn’t fluent in Spanish doesn’t know what they are talking about nor have any experience in the field. Clearly. That’s irrelevant, rather a false equivalence; just because two things share a single trait that does not make them the same nor relevant to each other. Hell, why not say he’s not qualified to write the script for a series set in Mexico City because he doesn’t know how to dance La Conquista—that’s Spanish too, no? Lol! One has nothing to do with the other. He was hired because of his writing skill and talent to do the job.

However, being of the culture or of the ethnicity or of the gender certainly brings a level of personal understanding and authenticity to the table, does it not? And, sorry, but white privilege, certainly white male privilege, is indeed a factor too.

This discussion actually conflates several complex issues together. I disagree, some issues are absolutely unique to a certain culture or group—of course! However, that doesn’t mean only certain people can or should write about them or find commonality. What it does mean is that we all should be more open minded and embrace different perspectives. For far too long, stories have been told through mostly one pair of lens, usually white and typically male. People want different perspectives—that was the underlining point of that person’s comment about your instructor. It is a valid point. But the comment also completely ignored all the complexity and all the other independent factors, including the fact that your instructor is an individual human being with his unique skills, talent, sensibilities, and knowledge. The comment was reductive and uninformed about the field of screenwriting and the industry as a whole. ;)

TBC: in my post, I made neither assumption - that the writer got the job because he was white, or that his writing was secondary. I stated that the writer GOT IN THE ROOM because he was white, and that a WOC, who was just as good (not better) wouldn't even have gotten an invite into the room. According to the writers I referenced in the post, as well as many others who've spoken up, the lack of opportunity for POC is a demonstrable fact.

And, too, why I did a "recap" in my OP - to make the distinction between writing about cultures not their own (which is a valid approach for anyone) and a white writer writing about characters dealing with issues/perspectives that are unique to that culture (which white writers should NOT attempt).

To expand on one of my examples - it would be inappropriate and unauthentic for a white writer to write an African-American character dealing with issues like the discrimination and bigotry black people deal with every day, even in modern America. I certainly don't know what it feels like to be a black man walking down a street and get accosted by the cops for just walking down a street; and have that happen to me my whole life.

That's the line we, as white writers, shouldn't cross.

John, I don’t think that reflects the reality of what a talented writer is capable of. And I’ve seen the opposite at play: black people writing about black people whose protagonists can do no wrong and whose antagonists are irredeemable. You know, tonedeaf, inauthentic storytelling. Bad storytelling is bad storytelling, and it can’t be cured just by making the protagonist and the writer reflect each other.

Stephen, I feel you!

As I read your post, I got to thinking: "Whatever happened to the call to 'walk a mile in my shoes?'"

More than perhaps at any other time in human history, we NEED to develop and/or rekindle empathy, depending on where we're at individually and collectively.

Thanks for this post...and all the VERY BEST to you!

Stephen Floyd: my apologies for deleting my post. It seemed rather long and delved into the gender/race under-representation aspect a bit.

And I would need more information to give a well-informed reply to your breakfast cohorts - like knowing the amount of other writers on this show, and the race/gender breakdowns. And even how extensive the interview process was.

Knowing that information would affect my thoughts on this specific situation.

And just so you know...I am of the belief that a producer/exec can hire whomever they want to hire based on whatever they want to base it on, and even if those beliefs might be different than mine.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Stephen!

My assumption is that that particular writer is qualified and sufficiently skilled to write that particular story at this particular time. It has nothing whatsoever to with race, gender, national origin, language, sexual preference or any other inappropriate 'issue'. Period! That's my story & I'm stickin' to it.

But I also know that as an English speaking (American) writer I am unable to write for the U,K. market - I've tried. That's my decision based on self observation - so what!

We are living in a time were "Who made it" is more important than "what has been made" And that is a bit nuts and even scary, if you ask me. People's personal background is exactly that, personal. And while it influences their art and point of views, it is personal and it does not matter in the final "What". (Gonna go and say that this is factual and not my opinion)

Everywhere you look you are being told that the "who" should be the main thing to consider in the outcome.

Is GG Martin a king and lord in a fictional medieval Europe? Is Spielberg an Alien? Part of writing is to create and live in a different world, if you so choose.

Yeah, the craft, dedication, skill and love for the story of the writer, is the only criteria that makes him qualified or unqualified. (Again, even if now the "who" is starting to be the main factor in peoples mind and marketing campaigns)

(Plus who is making this series? Is it US based no, so what is the shame that they got an US based writer, and here is the fun fact of the day: Most people in Mexico City are white)

Vasco: Other than Stephen wanting to know our views on the questions he asked, I can't speak for him with regards to the point of his questions, nor what factors/beliefs/reconciliations go into his thoughts.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Vasco!

Interesting post Stephen. (no sarcasm). I am not a producer but if I was whomever could write me the best story and make me the most money wins (you can bet your wallet that’s how Amazon thinks). You can also be sure that if they feel they need to have a consultant from the local area to assist with regional dialect and other authenticities they can\will do that later – after they have a good story.

It sounds like your instructor has earned the spot – he should not feel one ounce of guilt.

I'm guessing this woke writing theory is about Hollywood/American Film & TV industry?

Well, I gotta ask who's actually had industry jobs in Hollywood? I've been in and out of Hollywood- at an agency, Producer's assistant, crew. I think 98% of all my freelance jobs came from people I know. And 100% of all the bosses were white men.

If you want an equal playing level where the best person is hired (writer, Director, whatever), start at the top at who's making decisions.

For now, I do find it hilarious that white men are complaining about discrimination & opportunity when this Industry (America) has been by large a closed business for POC/Women, in front and behind camera & corporate level.

John Ellis I must say there are a few things I don't fully get form your comments.

So RR Martin should not write the last GOT books because he is not a Lord from Westeroes? Was it inappropriate for Alexandre Dumas to write about the white Musketeers? Did Shakespeare break a law, by writing about kings or a woman called Juliet? The only war movie that should exist is Platoon? I don't fully get it.

Then you mention white and cultures... Caucasian is a race, cultures are "habits". Don't fully get it either.

Also white people are stoped and arrested by the police as well, and are discriminated everyday all over the world (And not in a subtle way) Trust me on that one! Also both race and culture are superficial aspects of a collectivist view of the world. Other than those superficial aspects, people are the same in any culture and of any race and should write whatever they want to write. Again... is the Count of Monte Christo a bad story, because the author was black and the characters white?

Also the fashion of the day is non white, non male writers, that's what's being used for marketing, so I wonder if non white, non male people really do not get a chance to pitch or whatever.

And there are all kinds of privileges... like your genes, how tall you are... Your parents... But it is funny how in north America there is this thing with white privilege... one privilege that exits for sure, is the American privilege. Anyone born in that country has a lot of opportunities that are not available for the rest of us.

So yeah, to say what someone can or can't write, based on the pigmentation of their skin.... I don't get it.

Kay Luke Yeah, you should ask him how many shows are there made in Columbia about American people?

And yeah, that is a funny one you guys have up there. This latino thing... Like you said, all the countries from central to south America are completely different from each other, in every aspect of culture and identity.

So John Ellis, if a POC wanted to write a movie about a white Irish restaurant owner who struggles to keep the italian mob out of his business you would tell that POC they can't write about that? If you don't answer "yes" than you should realize how ridiculous your statement is about setting boundaries of what white writers can and can't write. If you would have started your statement with "I personally, wouldn't write" than I could respect your statement.

I don't want this to devolve into a personal insult thread, so Nate Miller, my answer is a conditional "Yes." But I'm not going to debate what I mean by "conditional." We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Let me just say, if you as Joe Writer get anyone to pay you for your work, I'd be the last one to pooh-pooh that under any conditions!

Because the real point of my posts (yes, I know I wandered a bit...) was about OPPORTUNITY. And as usual, Dan MaxXx said it better than I did - read his post.

If any white, male writer thinks it's a level playing field, that OPPORTUNITIES to get in the room, in front of a decision-maker, are color- and/or gender-blind, that white, male writer is deluded.

And finally, to answer Stephen Floyd's original question, "And what would you have told the hotel guest?"...my answer would be that it's unfortunate that - most likely - no Latin writers were even given the chance to pitch for the job.

John, and yet you somehow managed to turn it into just that by using the phrase "personal insult thread". I guess I've always been the guy to tell my friends "If you are swimming against the current, swim harder and not you shouldn't have to swim so hard."

Dan MaxXx is right - you have to start at the top. Interestingly, though, only one of the producers who has hired me has been a white male - one was an Arab (Muslim), one was an Indian (Hindu), one is an African-American, etc.

This is very interesting and fits well with one of my problems with the industry. How does cultural or racial identity contribute to what you write? It depends on the persons experiences not his race identifier. I believe if you have the ability to write compelling stories it will be consumed by the public no matter the author.

At the same time, I believe that our life experiences dictate what kind of writers we will be. I'm an African American screenwriter and I have never written anything staring an African American lead or entertained any topic based on the African American experience. I write what comes to me and I think barriers should not be enforced when you're practicing the craft.

I wouldn't have responded to the Hotel guest who was dismayed about who was chosen to write what. Unless I immerse myself into a subject or culture. my cultural and racial identity will always inform my writing. Even with immersion, I am not going to be able to completely allay myself of my perspective or world view. My "filters" if you will.

One of the things that we learned in Journalism 101 was that it is impossible to be completely objective in any story. The best we could do was have an awareness of how our cultural, racial and personal filters may affect our observation and reporting.

Perhaps that is why we hear so many writing "gurus" say, "Write what you know".

DL, I’ve been forced to re-evaluate the “write what you know” ethos. When I did that, my characters were flat and reactive because—guess what?—I was flat and reactive. I’ve had to very much look outside myself to improve my craft, and I think that goes hand-in-hand with being told to stay in your cultural lane. You could if you wanted, but you won’t grow as a writer.

Sorry, but whatever cultural or gender or generational or racial identity or disability you might have or your economic or social class or your upbringing absolutely does filter into your writing because those things are part of who YOU are. You are walking around and experiencing the world through your lens and experiencing how the world responds to you. Those things will always inform your writing. In my humble opinion, the most effective writing comes from empathy, the ability to put yourself into someone else's shoes. Some can do that well, and some cannot. People respond to authenticity simply because it better resonates.

As an audience member, when I come across a project that either has people behind it that have some personal connection or interest, or they themselves have experienced or they are whatever the film is about, or it stars someone who is whatever the main character and story is all about, whatever it may be, it further piques my interest because there is an added dimension. I lean in. Truly want to see it. People wish to see more of themselves on screen and portrayed with more nuance and realism—with truth.

Here's the thing, most projects do pull in people who bring that level of authenticity to the table. It takes a huge team of people to make a film or series: consultants with all kinds of expertise, additional writers, researchers, producers, actors, etc, etc, etc, the list goes on and on and on and on, each person with their own skills and specific background. What I always encourage everyone to do is inform themselves on a project first. Do research. Know what's behind it before passing general, reductive judgment. 'Cause you may be wrong—like this person who commented on Stephen's instructor. ;)

Oh, and if you haven't seen it and just need a film to make you smile do see The Peanut Butter Falcon. It's heartwarming. Charming. Sweet. It features actor Zack Gottszagen who gives the film an authenticity it otherwise would never have had. His performance is amazing, funny, intelligent, just... wonderful. ;)

Thanks, Kay for your advice.

I've been hearing a lot about 'Black or Urban' content being hot right now. I respect the business aspect of the industry just as much as the creative side. Hollywood, like every other industry, seems to run off what's trending at a particular time.

That being said, following the trend leads to your end. The black screenwriter with the next hot urban feature film or television pilot already exist. My goal is to separate myself from the tribe not follow it. But I definitely get what you're saying and I'm never opposed to working on any project.

Great post Stephen Floyd! I appreciate the opportunity to contribute my experience to the discussion.

"so much of what goes into good storytelling has nothing go do with the writer’s personal background but rather their ability to deliver a product." Delivering a product that has good storytelling no matter the person's background is one thing, but delivering a GREAT QUALITY STORY that accurately gets to the HEART & SOUL of the CHARACTERS, CULTURE & SUBJECT MATTER and written by someone who is relying solely on research only, I have learned is quite challenging.

I learned this lesson while creating educational publications and videos years ago when the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit! I learned the hard way (when lives were at stake as a writer and art director), the value of including people from the populations we were trying to reach (white gay men, gay men of color, lesbians, LGBTQ youth, sex industry workers, Asian-Americans, Latino-American males who identified as straight but had sex with men, etc.) in the creation of the materials. There were so many distinctive racial, sexual, economic, ethnic, and other CULTURAL NORM NUANCES IN THEIR STORIES that I was so clueless about despite my expertise as a writer and art director. The colors or language I used in a brochure geared toward gay white men would NEVER work in the Chinese community. I had to have focus groups for every single product! In the case of LGBTQ youth (I had to train them to write in the language their peers would recognize and understand). Otherwise, instead of a WHOLE PIE, I'd be serving up JUST A SLICE! Or, missing some vital ingredients in the pie.

Any way, for the THORN TREES TV series featuring Wiccans/Witches/Pagans set in 16th century England, I sought a writer here on Slated.com who is Pagan or has strong relationships with Pagans, has some knowledge of witchcraft, and knowledge of the 16th century. He turned out to be a white male screenwriter in England. Lead character is female, so I read his stories featuring lead female characters. I then attached a High Priestess of a coven as the consulting producer/producer who read every draft. We co-created the series together, and he listened to my perspective and suggestions while writing it (and still does). A woman will be directing. I'm at peace based upon the all we've done to make THORN TREES be AUTHENTIC, accurate, have empathy and respect the realities and nuances necessary to great storytelling.

I have a story with a Lesbian single mum that sells drugs. I was told, that the story probably should have been written by a lesbian.

I could agree, if it was about being a lesbian. I have no experience regarding the judgement and hardship faced. But growing up in a challenging environment, being raised by a single mum. I can write about the people.

I agree we need more voices. I would suggest we just get out of the way of talent and let it rise. I love Sam Jackson, not cause he is back. Because he is the super talented bad mother Sam Jackson.

I try to avoid “default white” as often as I can. If you think of characters as something other than white, you get a bucket load of free stuff. White characters are generic.

For those who care for an update, I’ve learned more about the series in question, now that it’s officially picked up by Amazon. Narcos vs. Zombies begins streaming early next year and promises to be the campy horror/sci-fi romp it’s name implies. Turns out my teacher’s experience writing for Tales From the Crypt trumped his gringo-ness. At least this time...

I write what I feel like writing and don't give a damn about whether or not someone questions my worthiness or qualifications for any given subject I tackle. I have experience, imagination and creativity and my goal is to entertain people. I've been a winner at the Fort Worth Indie Film Festival, finalist at Harlem International Film Festival, Black Screenplays Matter and the Houston Black Film Festival. All of these festivals are run by African Americans who never once questioned my ability to write about 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, which I handled in a forthright manner. I wrote the the screenplay because I was inspired to do so. The imagination of the human mind is color blind and I see no reason to put limits on it for race, gender or any other reason.

https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/2018/05/22/best-scene-reading-of-fou...

Whitney:

I agree that Hollywood can do a much better job producing projects written/directed and acted by Asians, Latinos and African Americans. I thought the second season of The Terror, which featured a largely Japanese cast, not only brought light upon Japanese interment camps but was also fantastic entertainment. Several of the episodes were written or co-written by Japanese writers. I would love to see more projects along similar lines.

Equality takes generational change, sad but true. If it take 20 years to become a ####, then we should have encouraged people 20 years ago. Unfortunately we cant find people that don’t exist.

So the solution is simple. We have to prioritise the people that do exist in the groups we want to encourage. We want kids to see that there is a chance for them in 20 years. So they will spend the effort and prepare.

Short term. Some people that may have may been second choice become first choice. Why? So we get access to the next generation.

Here is a shock. The people that you think may be second choice may have been held back by some bias you are unaware existed. Technically making them the best anyway.

This may make it harder for white guys like me. I don’t care. I am talented and arrogant. I am sure I’ll be just fine.

Australian can be incredibly racist, I don’t know why. But I cannot see any benefit in it. My three man team has an Italian, Indian and Indonesia (no woman applied for the jobs), my daughter in-law is Turkish and my best mate is Anglo-Indian (living in the UK).

Minorities have suffered for centuries. I know changing in painful, but we (old white guys) will survive.

This is such a contentious issue. Personally I believe that a writer can tell any story, in fact some people can tell the story better than a person from the culture because they are more objective and can see the bigger picture. And as someone said earlier, it depends on your level of empathy and how well you can identify with others. To me it doesn't matter who writes it as long as the story is authentic.

However with that being said. You have to look at it from the other side of the coin as well. Being a person of colour it is very rare that we get the opportunity to tell our own stories. Hailing from the Caribbean I cannot tell you how many times people get our culture wrong in the most laughable ways. .

So please forgive the person's comment- it may seem offensive and judgmental... but from the other side, we would like the opportunity to tell our own stories on the world stage too. And yes we may not be the best writers (yet) but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't be allowed to tell our own stories-(imagine telling a rape victim- you can't speak about your experience because you aren't qualified) but of course that is a very different conversation.