Hello, all!
Today I’d like to say thank you for all my new connections as I undergo this writing/acting/filmmaking journey. Yesterday, I had a meeting that changed my perspective on my LGBT coming of age script. While I’ve been writing it for a while, after talking with a producer contact of mine, he brought up a good point on specificity. While I love the story I was crafting, I realised I could be more specific in location and how that shapes my character’s journey. The dramatic coming out isn’t a new perspective, and I was definitely getting marks off on my score-cards for being somewhat traditional with my approach. But this producer pointed out something that I hadn’t thought of- leaning into making this specific story about my own coming out. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but when it comes to my personal experiences- I tend to be er on the shy side. I write around it, in a way. But, I’m starting to realise I can’t keep doing that. So! in the interest of some vulnerability, my LGBT coming of age film is pivoting from a drama to a comedy- with a heavy dose of Florida quirk. if you’ve ever had your perspective changed on your own stories and had to do large swaths of edits, feel free to share your story here!
Best wishes,
Yan Ju
Your friendly neighborhood dreamer.
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Congratulations on the meeting, Yan Ju Zeng! I did a Stage 32 Feature Script Read/30-minute Talk with Executive, and he pointed out a big hole in my story. I rewrote the script, and it's better.
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Maurice Vaughan nice! I’m really shaping this one around my personal high school experiences- which were… weird, to say the least. (We had a school gator- very Florida.) I think the producer was right about the specificity of place making it stand out, because idk how any other school with so many Florida specific things
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Yan Ju Zeng I think it's in our nature to shy away from that vulnerability but if we don't connect and empathize with our characters, our audience won't. Your concept will flourish now with that insight and heart, I hope your journey was not a difficult one. I'm adding more of my close friend into my story and I feel like I'm betraying her,. I've been by her side during this period in her life and it feels like a natural progression but also symbolic of what she means to me.
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High school is a gold mine for script ideas and scene ideas, Yan Ju Zeng. Some of my personal high school experiences were weird too. And embarrassing. :D
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Marie Hatten yes, many characters are derived from people I’ve met. I just hope they don’t take offense when I take creative liberties (gotta keep the plot moving.) I was asked by another person I pitched to what this story has that sets it out from other coming out dramedies, and I think the Florida aspect and the centering of the character’s own denial will make it better- especially with a high light of comedic edge!
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Yan Ju Zeng Important issues delivered in a unique way will always be impactful.