How to produce stellar work

“It’s not about knowing. It’s all about feeling and noticing what’s happening in your body. If it’s exciting to you, it’s likely that it’ll be exciting to someone else.”

Hi there. If you’re getting this email, it’s because you’ve been added to my mailing list — by signing up for Fade Out (formerly Daily Writer) or attending one of my mock pitch sessions. We may also have connected on Facebook or Twitter.

It’s been a while since you last heard from me. I had to adjust to my new life (working a full-time job while running a company and writing stories) and couldn’t dedicate much time to this newsletter — which used to be a weekly “screenwriting digest.”

Still, 2023 comes with a lot of good resolutions (happy new year!), and I want to pick up Fade Out again. Each week or so, I’ll send a list of insightful content about storytelling, creativity, and the craft of screenwriting.

Not interested? There’s an unsubscribe button down this page (I won’t be mad).

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Creativity, According to Rick Rubin

Complex published this fabulous profile of one of the most respected producers in the music business. Rubin is known for channeling creativity like no one else, which resulted in legendary albums from superstars like Jay-Z, Adele, and many others. In this interview, Rubin shares his view on creativity and how to produce your best work — regardless of the medium. It’s a life-changing read.

Rubin has also published a book about called The Creative Act: A Way of Being, which I obviously purchased in the blink of an eye.

Rubin On Making Art

“It’s not about knowing. It’s all about feeling and noticing what’s happening in your body. If it’s exciting to you, it’s likely that it’ll be exciting to someone else.”

Rubin On Collaboration

“Most people in collaborations want their idea to win, but that’s not a good collaboration. It doesn’t matter at all. All that matters is that the final result is the best thing it can be. If you have an idea and it leads to the best thing that it can be, that’s great, and if someone else has an idea and it leads to be the best thing it could be, it’s just as good. Only the ego cares about whether it’s your idea or not.”

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BAFTA Lecture: Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on 🔥)

Sciamma gave one of the best lectures I’ve ever attended — for free. She speaks about the necessity to experiment rather than apply the traditional storytelling “formula.” Indeed, Portrait of a Lady on Fire doesn’t even have a conflict, and yet Sciamma won Best Screenplay at Cannes. What makes your work great is what you have to say, your unique voice, and the desires that drive you.

Speaking of the craft, Sciamma detailed her writing process. I won’t do her justice by summing it up, so I won’t. Watch it and thank me later.

As always, thank you for reading.

Have a wonderful week,

— Alicia