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Passion, Creativity and the Arts:
Writing for Motion Pictures
Student Handout
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DAVID FOSTER
The 1980s saw David Foster earn his second Grammy for the production of the cast album of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Dreamgirls. He ventured into feature films, co-writing the hit single, Love, Look What You've Done To Me with Boz Scaggs for Urban Cowboy, and penning the Number One hit, Chicago's Hard To Say I'm Sorry, for the film Summer Lovers. Foster's writing and producing credits expanded to include such superstars as Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie (1983's deca-platinum Can't Slow Down), Neil Diamond (one platinum album, two gold), Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, the Manhattan Transfer, Olivia Newton-John, James Ingram, the Pointer Sisters, Art Garfunkel, Roger Daltrey, Kenny Loggins, Al Jarreau, Richard Marx, and many, many others.Asked what distinguishes his style as a producer, Foster replies: "I gravitate toward tugging at heartstrings - and I treat every day in the studio as life-or-death."David recalls once giving an album he'd produced to his mentor, Quincy Jones. "I said, 'A couple of the songs aren't very good and some of the vocals aren't right, but I like the rest.' Quincy replied, 'What does it say here? "Produced by David Foster." How can you put your name on this and then give excuses?' That was 15 years ago and ever since, I've tried to do my best every day in the studio. That's my responsibility to the artist because that record is what they have to live with when I'm on to something else." In 1986, he established the David Foster Foundation to assist families of children in need of organ transplants. He hosts the annual David Foster Celebrity Softball Game in British Columbia. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, Foster received the Order of Canada.
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The act of writing can be more than just a means of self-expression. It can provide a wonderful learning experience by activating the creative process, and by utilizing natural inclinations to imagine, to invent, and to pretend.
Writing for motion pictures can be a particularly exciting prospect for many students. Opportunities for talented writers in this industry abound . . . from the novelist, to the scriptwriter, the music/lyrics composer, the director, to the critic and many, many individuals in-between. Each writer in the motion picture-making field brings a unique blend and perspective to the overall creative process.
All creative writing begins with an idea. This initial idea, when filtered through the concentrated efforts and discipline of the writer(s), can be translated into a new literary art form. When translated effectively, it can provide opportunities to go beyond the written word and into a new understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This is an important objective for writers and is especially critical for those working in a visually and emotionally charged medium.
Writing for motion pictures is unique in that the creative writing component and the development of ideas is seldom a single-person process. The writing talents of many are needed to create a truly dynamic and meaningful work. It is for this reason that students need to be provided rich cooperative writing experiences. It is after all, the writers whose skills are being developed today, who will be making an impact on the literary arts tomorrow.
You may already be familiar with the authors, musicians and filmmakers who have shaped American literature and entertainment in the 20th century. Conduct a brainstorming session with your fellow classmates to review who some of these individuals are and what their contributions are to American society
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Think of two questions to ask the guests during the program. (Possible questions: How do you get your ideas for a motion picture? When did you know that you wanted to be a film or television director or producer? If I think I have talent as a writer, what is the best avenue to enter the field of screenwriting? What moment on film are you most proud of, and why? How do you react to the critics?)
Studying musical composition and screenwriting may not seem relevant to your future today, but they represent stepping stones to a meaningful career. A knowledge of these subjects will help you decide what is most interesting to you. This is very important because most people spend one-half of their waking time on the job. Investigate the following careers related to science and medicine. Find out what the person does on a daily basis, the educational and work experience required and where the work must be performed.
- Accountant
- Attorney
- Cinematographer
- Composer/Lyricist
- Computer Graphic Artist
- Director
- Editor
- Journalist
- Musician
- Producer
- Researcher
- Screenwriter
GEORGE LUCAS
George Walton Lucas, Jr. was born in Modesto, California in 1944. George Lucas grew up in a typical middle class neighborhood where his early childhood has been described as a Beaver Cleaver existence. As a teenager, he discovered he had a talent for racing cars and worked hard to further develop this talent. Lucas' racing days came to an abrupt end on June 12, 1962 when he was involved in a near fatal car accident. This incident was to change Lucas' life forever. He became highly introspective and set himself on a mission to take control of his life. He decided to go to college and to study film. Lucas attended the University of Southern California where he had the opportunity to produce several short films. One student film, The Emperor, foreshadowed one of Lucas' early full feature films, American Graffiti (1973). Lucas' highly successfully career as a producer has allowed him the opportunity to pursue other projects. He started Lucasfilm to not only produce movies, but to explore the way children learn and to use this information in creating computerized educational programs. For years, Lucasfilm has been producing interactive home video cartridges and classroom multimedia discs. Currently, the company is enjoying considerable success in producing interactive computerized games. One of the biggest sellers on the PC market today is a Lucasfilms product called X-Wing. X-Wing is a space-combat simulator in which the player interacts with Darth Vadar's Imperial Forces. George Lucas' many feature film credits include THX 1138, American Graffiti, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, Willow, Howard the Duck, and True Lies. With so much to his credit, Lucas is determined to do more than just entertain. He aims to communicate a vision of an ideal world in which good ultimately triumphs over evil, and people learn to master their fate.
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