Jesse Harris, Filmmaker: Every single character has to have something really compelling that they’re fighting for or want they can’t just be…
Film Courage: Who taught you how to write a screenplay?
Jesse: I don’t think any one person to me had every screenplay. I definitely have read lots of the screenwriting books and things that you would be told to read like Save The Cat or all the other ones and I think those things are super helpful because knowing that structure is really important. The podcast Script Notes (anything like that) and as much of that information you can take in is super important. I think at the end of the day you just have to start writing. Then you have to figure it out and I think at least for me because again that’s how I really shine and learn is just by doing it. I had been writing stories ever since I was a little kid. I made my first movie when I was eight years old and so I had always been writing and telling stories. I think it is something I’ve been working on my whole life and even when I wasn’t making a film I was doing something else whether it’s a commercial or this film festival I ran, I was still in some way telling a story to an audience or creating some sort of experience. I think writing is one of those things (probably like filmmaking) is some element that’s just born in you, that has that in you and then it just takes a lot of time just doing it and getting practice doing it. I think the books and other resources can give you a lot of inspiration and also really good at letting you then pick apart your stuff and figure out what’s not working in it, but at the end of the day I think you just have to do it and almost make yourself good just by doing it enough.
Film Courage: How do you start writing a screenplay?
Jesse: I start with the big picture concept What is this about? From there I would talk Who are the characters? What’s going to be compelling? and What are the stakes here? Then I think…(Watch the video interview on Youtube here).
BIO:
Jesse Harris started his filmmaking career early, writing and directing his first feature when he was 17. He opted against college and used the money to fund his feature that he wrote and directed, which was eventually picked up for US theatrical distribution and by HBO Europe. In 2007, to support other young filmmakers, Jesse founded NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth), which has grown into the largest and most prestigious youth film festival in the world. Jesse put his filmmaking career on hold for several years to support other young directors and build a premier showcase for aspiring directors. Variety named Jesse one of 25 talents who transformed youth entertainment and was named one of City Arts Magazine’s Top 50 Culture Makers. His feature was shortlisted for the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards ‘Someone to Watch’ Award and was one of 20 features invited to the 2004 IFP New York Film Market. Jesse’s recently been named a Global Shaper, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, built around young entrepreneurs and do-gooders. Jesse returned to filmmaking in the commercial world, now bringing years of experience crafting beautiful stories for brands. His commercial work has been seen on TV around the world, working with clients such as Volvo, Microsoft, Disney and more. His 2018 short film, Wind in the Night was one of seven films selected for the 2019 Prix SNCF du Polar in France and picked up for distribution in France, Asia, UK and USA. The film was a proof of concept for his next feature, Borrego (available January 14, 2022).
WATCH ‘WIND IN THE NIGHT’ (Proof Of Concept Short Film)
CONNECT WITH JESSE HARRIS
Advertisement – contains affiliate links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
More affiliates:
