Budding playwright Christina Cigala gets regular advice from some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
Cigala is a student at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, also the home of “Inside the Actor’s Studio” with James Lipton.
Oscar winners and other Hollywood elite regularly visit her campus to share how they broke into the business – and help guide the next generation of film artists.
Cigala, who hopes to share stories of the American South through her work, touched base with WWTW to recall some of the best tips – including wisdom from the “King of the World” himself – she’s heard as part of the program.
WWTW: Which campus visitor had the most impact on you – and why?
CC: James Cameron is a writer. I am a writer. He makes “movies, not films.” He inspired me to follow my instinct to not write for critics or for a New York audience, but instead to write what I love, know, and trust will make people laugh. Also, as far as a class in pitching a script goes … 6 words … “Romeo and Juliet on the Titanic.” Boom.
WWTW: Which artists surprised you – either by their candor or how they might have been different from their public image?
CC: Sarah Jessica Parker. She’s a business woman. ["Sex and the City's"] Carrie is fun and light and happy-go-lucky. Ms. Parker promoted her perfume and clothing line on the show (a first for us), and was wearing a full wig. Goldie Hawn didn’t even wear a bra. Can I say that?
WWTW: I understand one of your areas of interest is the American South – were you able to ask the artists any questions related to this theme, or did any of their advice hit home to you about it?
CC: When I saw “Avatar,” it was in Texas. What seemed like just a movie (a great one!) to me was a very heavy political message for a lot of people I know. I asked him point blank about how much he worried about polarizing the audience. He told me he was often asked to “take the tree-hugging hippie crap out.” He politely told them to go f*** themselves. I want to represent the South with empathy, but it is a political place, and my political leanings might be different than some of my characters. While I never want to be preachy, leaving politics out of a script because you are scared to cause controversy takes away a real dimension, and no matter what, every writer has a worldview. Y’all hear me?
WWTW: Did any one piece of advice stand out to you … and have you been able to put it into use yet?
CC: Work hard, work smart,don’t piss off your peers, and try not to let your name go on anything that you know is crap. I’ve used three out of four, and I hope to not put any nameless crap out anytime soon.
(Photo: Budding playwright and Pace Univesity student Christina Cigala)
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
If Cameron has really disregarded the critics in his writing, then it might be decent advice, since he’s done pretty well with them. But count me as one that could hardly stand “Avatar.”
As for writing, whenever I’ve had to impart writing advice to others, I’ve always said something similar, though not quite the same: write for who you’re writing for. If it’s for yourself, then great. Your spouse, awesome. For movie nerds, cool. Just never forget your audience.