“Find a real moment between people”

“My theory about creative work is that 99 percent of it is intention. When you go in with the intention of exploring something real, then that’s what you’ll get no matter what’s around it. It may not even be successful — people may not like it and it may make no money — but that is what you’ll have. And if you go into something with the intention of showing off and just being absurd for absurdity’s sake, then hey, that’s what you’ll get. I’m interested in trying to find a real moment between people, and hopefully that’s what people get out of my work.”

Many descriptions may come to mind when we think of Charlie Kaufman movies, such as whimsical, inventive, bizarre, mindboggling. But his comment above, especially this point — “I’m interested in trying to find a real moment between people” — is likely to re-frame the discussion.

For it appears, by his own words, what Charlie Kaufman is most fundamentally about is creating authentic characters who share genuine human experiences.

As you approach FADE OUT, facing the prospect of rewriting your script, this is definitely a touchstone for subsequent drafts, something to consider with every scene, every interaction, every plot point.

Remember…

“Find a real moment between people.”

The Quest” has entered Week 23! And so did Go On Your Own Quest, an opportunity for anyone to follow the structure of “The Quest” to dig into screenwriting theory [Core — 8 weeks], figure out your story [Prep — 6 weeks], and write a first draft [Pages — 10 weeks]. It’s a 24-week immersion in the screenwriting process and you can do it here — for free!

Today and every Monday through Friday for 10 weeks, I’ll use this slot to post something inspirational as GOYOQ participants pound out their first drafts.

For background on “Go Into The Story: The Quest,” go here and here.

For all the previous weeks of Go On Your Own Quest posts, go here.

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