Interview: Liz W. Garcia

Liz W. Garcia is an American television producer and writer. As a writer, her credits include “Dawson’s Creek,” “Wonderfalls” and “Cold Case”. With her husband, actor Josh Harto, she created and produced the TNT series “Memphis Beat”. Most recently Liz wrote and directed the independent feature film The Lifeguard starring Kristen Bell which will be released in 2013.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak at length with Liz.

Here are links to the six installments of the entire interview:

Part 1: “Joss Whedon, of course, went through the same film program. We all looked to him like, ‘There is living proof that you can translate this education we’re getting at this tiny little school across the country into a viable and respectable career in Hollywood.’”

Part 2: “The answer is not to make the loudest show. That’s not necessarily what writers want to do and that doesn’t make the best drama. The answer’s to make the best work.”

Part 3: “I was interested in dealing with the dawning realization, that I think happens toward the end of your 20s, when you realize that you only have one life to live and that life is short and that you are mortal.”

Part 4: “I think the obstacles that women face in being able to succeed in Hollywood are particularly difficult because so many of them can’t be seen, or easily identified, because they’re deep. They are unconscious, and they built in to the way that we see ourselves.”

Part 5: “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like. If you identify the particular genre that you want to write in and that you want to succeed in, just write the script that’s great that’s like that, and be sort of clinical about what’s required, and know your structure. Know the kind of characteristics that your main character needs to have in order to attract the great actor that guarantees the financing. Then be canny about it and do it.”

Part 6: “The characters have let you know this is what the theme is. Then you can be more conscious about making sure that it’s explored correctly.”

Please stop by comments to thank Liz and ask any questions you may have.

Liz is repped by CAA and Madhouse Entertainment.

Twitter: @lizwgarcia.

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