[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: Once you decided you were going to write a novel, what was the process like to retrain your brain and make that jump from screenplays to novels?
Matt Harry, Author/Screenwriter/Instructor at New York Film Academy: That was really hard transitioning from because I had been solely a screenwriter for probably about 15 years.
Then I decided to write a novel.
It was really like you were a sprinter and now you have to be a marathoner.
When I was a screenwriter, I could sit down for a couple hours, write 10 pages, not necessarily 10 great pages, but draft 10 pages a day.
Then I sat down to write a novel and it’s like, Oh my God, the whole page is words.
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I would write two pages in the same time it took me to do 10 pages.
It was just training, forcing myself to get a little bit faster, forcing myself to understand.
There was a great piece of advice I heard, I don’t remember who said it, from a writer that said,
“When you’re writing a novel, it’s like, you don’t need to describe the house. Everyone knows what a house looks like. You need to tell me how this house is different.”
That was really helpful because you start off, you’re like, I’ve got to describe everything!
Then you realize, no, it’s more like bits and pieces, but you do have to put everything that’s there.
Attributions were really tricky.
When someone has dialogue, who is saying the dialogue?
What I learned was that…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Matt Harry has been writing since he was 10 years old. He learned to make movies at the University of Southern California, which was the closest he could get to attending Hogwarts in the real world. He has worked as an editor, screenwriter, director, producer, college professor, and pizza delivery technician. Matt has published six novels, written two immersive plays, and sold a TV pilot. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons, all of whom (thankfully) like to read.
BUY THE BOOK – YOU ARE A FILMMAKER: An Interactive Novel https://amzn.to/4wZO9Wt
MORE VIDEOS WITH MATT HARRY
About New York Film Academy:
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA’s global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
Nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
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