JOCELYN JACOBS
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Los Angeles! How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? I’m in the “write what you know!” camp. What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? I try to write in the mornings before my critical brain kicks in, and I’m still a little dopey. I make myself “sit in the chair” for at least two hours, and I throw my phone across the room, out of reach. Eventually I get bored and just start writing things down. Most of the time two hours turns into three, and on good days four or five. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? I’ve been working on this script on and off for 2 years. I start with a word document that you could loosely call an outline or a beat sheet. Major plot points, scenes, ideas. Sometimes I have multiple documents going at once – one beat sheet, one for character traits and backstories, etc. Then at some point I put it all on cards. Then I go into Final Draft and put all the scene headings in and just write a paragraph about what happens in the scene and any dialog that has popped into my head. I go through the whole script like that, but not necessarily in order. I’ll start with the scenes I’m most excited about and work out from there- and sometimes during that process I’ll just start writing the scene. In short, it’s a somewhat organic, messy process, but it works for me! How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? I tell myself it’s a process. It’s never going to come out right the first time. And it’s only going to get better the more I work on it. It’s a layering process, and you have to trust the process. If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”...how are you managing that? Not well! It’s not easy. I usually have paid work that is full time and all-consuming for 2 or 3 months at a time, (sometimes I can squeeze some writing in) and then I have a chunk of time off. During those times I try to keep to a strict writing schedule. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? The dream in five years is to have one screenplay produced, and another one in the works. I would love to get hired to do re-writes on feature scripts or adaptations. Working in a writer’s room also sounds like loads of fun. Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? Anything directed by Mike Leigh. His process of developing characters with his actors results in a specificity we should all aspire to, and amazing performances. “Another Year” with Lesley Manville is one of my favorites. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? Anything with Diane Keaton, RIP. What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters or filmmakers? Keep going. Don’t compare yourself to other people. Carve out the space for your work to exist. There is enough space for everyone. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) I’m developing a series about a group of enthusiastic Birders in the PNW. And I’m writing a feature about a woman in her 70’s who develops a friendship with a young man in Gaza through social media. Two very different projects. Trying to address these darks times in one, and create some joy and laughter in another. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) @jocecabo on IG |
