Interview: Michele Atkins

2016 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Michele Atkins wrote the original screenplay “Talking About the Sky” which won a 2016 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting. Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Michele about her background, her award-winning script, the craft of screenwriting, and what winning the Nicholl has meant to her.

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

Part 1: “I learned a lot about script notes and writing and realized that I did not want to be on the development side pretty quickly, but all of these experiences gave me knowledge that was invaluable.”

Part 2: “Originally the story idea came from a couple documentaries I’d seen. One was on a country bluegrass singer/writer who was essentially told if didn’t stop drinking he’d die. He didn’t stop and he passed away shortly after that.”

Part 3: “I wanted him, when he needed it most, when he’s wandering around the city in his slippers, in his hospital attire to find someone who could get him that piece of advice that could give him the strength to find his way.”

Part 4: “I was fond of them, I really enjoyed visiting each and every one of them every time I had to do a rewrite. I just really loved those characters.”

Part 5: “I’m one of those people watchers that when you go to the airport, or you’re taking a train, or you are waiting for a coffee. I like to watch people and how they interact. I start off with something like that, and then you start painting layers.”

Part 6: “You write what you love to write, you don’t try to write to fit in somewhere. You write what’s in your heart. If you fail at something, it’s yours. If you win, it’s yours. Whatever it is, make it yours.”

For my other interviews with Nicholl winning screenwriters, go here.