University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: June 23, 1999
Faculty on the Site.
A Jeanne SiteCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: June 23, 1999
Faculty on the Site.
Act One: A Writer's Workshop
Review of article in L.A. Times on writers failing at the literacy of their craft.
Link added June 23, 1999.
L.A.Times article by Howard Rosenberg, "Scripting the Work of the Lord," p. F1, June 23, 1999.
Describes Act One, a writer's workshop for Christian writers, "the under-represented majority" in Hollywood. What the writers are trying to promote is not the "cheap grace" of easy fare like Touched by an Angel, but scripts that would uphold Christian moral values. Unfortunately, given the times and the "Littleton" incident, perhaps we could settle on some spiritual values, period. Barabara Nicolosi, the screen writer who's running the workshop, had this to say about today's writers: "Christians think they deserve the extra credit because they are writing about deeper themes. They don't do their homework. They don't bother to learn how to format, how to structure, how to create characters that are compelling. If it doesn't work as entertainment, it's not going to get a chance to work as anything else. They disdain Holllywood. There's this arrogance that they can compete in an industry from the outside, that Hollywood is the enemy."
Seems I heard those words before. Around a university campus, with under-represented minorities as well as majorities. And I've certainly heard that exasperation before. Sounds a lot to me like what we call functional illiteracy, the failure to understand the tools of our trade and the hard work necessary to wield them.
I do not personally know the dilemma of the Christian writer. But I certainly know the dilemma of the dedicated professor. I have heard Barney Glaser, Blalock, Duncan Kennedy make essentially the same complaint. They are not disciplined. They are not adequately motivated to what is truly hard work.
Perhaps we need to forgive them and forgive ourselves for having damaged them, for they are the young, and we are the professionals. Perhaps Barbara Nicolosi is doing the right thing, gathering them into a workshop to teach them. Now, if she could just forgive them and love them, too. 'Twould be a good Christian ending.
they don't want to take the time to learn the craft - lack of discipline