I've just returned from Block Island, Rhode Island, home of the 2023 Block Island Film Festival. My reason for attending was in support of my third "Best Screenplay" nomination in a row (having won The Lighthouse Award in 2021 for my supernatural thriller, THE DRESS.). Screenwriting Finalists are invited to share their thoughts with the fest audience as part of a Q & A forum (see photo. I'm seated far right.), which brings me to this point: I've created a character in my latest script who pretty much mirrors what I have done-- Attend a festival and offer unique perspectives to the general public. And yet, we DO have stark differences: He's an actor and I'm a screenwriter. He murders people and I don't.
Question: What experiences have you had that reflect a character you have created?
BONUS EXPERIENCE: Shortly after writing THE DRESS, which concludes at The HOLLYWOOD sign, a friend and I flew out to Los Angeles for a sight-seeing vacation, where we took a guided hiking tour to the world-famous landmark. When we finally reached our destination, I experienced something very surreal--- witnessing the back of the sign. The same view my protagonist has. I was seeing, for the first time, what he sees.Â
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Bill Brock There's been times when I was writing and the scene, action, etc. reminded me of something I did in real life. It's a shock every time it happens. I think writers write about their experiences whether they know they're doing it or not.
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That must have been surreal! He beat you to it! Let's hope you don't keep following in his footsteps, eh?
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I wrote a screenplay about a passionate activist trying to save the planet. Then I stopped screenplay writing and focused on being an activist trying to save the planet.
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Congrats, Bill Brock, on your third "Best Screenplay" nomination in a row! And what an honor to be part of the festival's Q & A forum. I can see the t-shirts now: "Around the Block with Brock!"
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And now to your question. The main character in both my novels and one of my screenplays draw from personal experience. With them, though, I don't recreate the experience but rather distill its essence in another scenario. And, I have been know to use an experience where the goal was not met in real life but in the story I work out how that goal may have been met. I read years ago about an author (don't recall his name) who wrote about ex-girlfriends as a way to get over them and move on.
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Sarah Gabrielle Baron HA! Sarah! Good call! I promise not to murder anyone..... until I get to the set. ; ) Oh, and GREAT example about saving the planet. Why write it when you can DO it? : )
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Maurice Vaughan Agreed, Maurice. Shock is right! I wanted to make the hike and the script was the furthest thing from my mind during the journey up the mountain. I had no idea we were going to end BEHIND the sign, so when we stood there and looked out over the city--- THAT'S when it hit me! OMG! I'm seeing what my character, Steve Harp, sees!!! : ) I'll NEVER forget it.
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Ty Strange HA! I got one better, Ty-- BROCK ISLAND!!! I kept pushing that saying the whole time I was there! You definitely have a wonderful writing process, Ty. Not recreating the experience, but attaching its essence. BRAVO! I may have to give that one a try! : )
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Sounds like it was a pretty cool experience, Bill Brock. How big is the Hollywood sign in real life?
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Maurice Vaughan Good question, Maurice. Each letter is 30 feet wide and 50 feet high. Photo taken the day of my "discovery." : )
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50 feet x 30 feet is pretty big, Bill Brock. Look at that view!
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Maurice Vaughan Definitely! Put this one on your bucket list! Spectacular!!
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It's on my bucket list now, Bill Brock. That reminds me of the movie "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.