Conversations about work.

The pandemic started a conversation about Work. As writers, Work, is complicated. “Going to work,” in an office might be a safer environment…for some. The focus is on the job and there’s not much to distract us making it easier to separate one commitment from the other. The great dilemma for us writers of course, is that daydreaming is part of our skill-set! In most day-jobs daydreaming could get you fired! It is not considered a skill in any field except in the Arts, and that too, only after you’ve already built the bloody boat!

All this to say, you must know WHY you write, and why, SCREENPLAYS, being that the film business is probably the most illusory of all. So for those of us who have accepted the split-personality nature of our choice, in this season of giving thanks we can be grateful for the rewards we experience in just doing the work. In writing…

Here in the US we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving and no doubt wherever you are in the world, some form of a thanksgiving festival celebrated with family and friends, has just occurred or will happen soon. With all the array of personalities, ages, quirks, and characteristics, gatherings such as these are a perfect opportunity to refresh and replenish our imagination. The next time you are gathered around a table, give each person one characteristic that best describes them, in that moment, just one… whatever comes to mind, and write it down.

Playful.

Intense.

Shy.

Loud.

Arrogant…

This small exercise is like making a deposit into a bank account. It keeps us tuned in to the many shades of human nature that bring color and contrast to our writing. This is also a good time to revisit or, watch for the first time; one of the best Thanksgiving movies, Woody Allen’s HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, released way back in1986.

Enjoy the movie!

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Wishing every one of you a wonderful holiday season.

I’ll see you in the New Year!