Writing as a practice is truly amazing. It can be therapeutic as you work through emotions and process your thoughts, leading to a reduction in mental health issues. Putting your experiences to paper also has value as a way to share your unique perspective. No one sees things the way you do!It's a bit gauche to say, and I'm not trying to make light of anyone's trauma, but it boils down to another version of "write what you know"—and regardless of how you feel about that adage, it can be a great starting point to tell your story. In the case of screenwriter Joe Tierney and his independent SXSW pilot F*ckups Anonymous, it's certainly true. Joe wrote a version of himself, played by Andrew Michael Fama, as a character who recently arrived at a "therapeutic boarding school" for troubled teens. Many of these establishments are now known to be abusive and controversial, which is what young Joe starts to realize on his first day there when he witnesses the dressing down of a fellow resident (Sarah Jeffrey).The project was directed by Kat Whalen and primarily shot in a tight two days, resulting in a taut and emotional story of young anguish. Tierney took 12 years to finally put the whole thing on paper, searching for the right tone and perspective. NFS sat down with members of the team just before the pilot's premiere and learned about exploring vulnerability, how to work with talent, and the importance of community.What Actors Want...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday