Just to let you guys know, we’re working double duty to make sure we fit everyone in, so expect two new interviews this weekend(possibly more after a few extra confirmations!). As far as our diversity month goes, thanks so much for folks who are coming and supporting all these great inclusive voices!
Up next! We met this blogger through the
grapevine because, diversity. It’s hard to be a book blogger who
discusses diversity and not eventually connect with other bloggers
talking about it too!
She’s super awesome, and a writer in a different medium, which is even more awesome! And she’s even a twin! So we must be friggin’ destined to cross paths with this girl!
Get ready for an excellent interview on representation!
Twinja Book Reviews Annual Diversity Month Event Day Eight:
Screenwriter G. Jacks
Since we already know you so well, this is more of an intro for those who don’t know you, so sit up in the front of the class and introduce yourself!
She’s super awesome, and a writer in a different medium, which is even more awesome! And she’s even a twin! So we must be friggin’ destined to cross paths with this girl!
Get ready for an excellent interview on representation!
Twinja Book Reviews Annual Diversity Month Event Day Eight:
Screenwriter G. Jacks
Since we already know you so well, this is more of an intro for those who don’t know you, so sit up in the front of the class and introduce yourself!
My name is Gianna.
I am 25 years, I have a
tendency to ramble (so, sorry for that) and I am a screenwriter and/or
script writer. The distinction between the two here is in regards to
film and TV. I have written scripts for short and feature length films
before, but I am currently venturing into script writing for television.
What can you tell us about your journey being an script writer?
My
journey to become a script writer is still ongoing, but it started off
as kind of a quirky one as I did not decided to pursue writing
professionally until my junior year of high school. Up until that point I
had plans to pursue a career in criminal law to become a prosecutor.
Weird,
right? But I feel I should also mention that in that same year I had
completed a book and a half and started outlining story arcs for a
serialized television drama in my free time. It took a friend of a
friend, at the time, that full year to get me to even consider the idea
of pursuing writing. At first I thought he was sick of sitting in
between my best friend and I (who was like my god and chief when it came
to editing and pitching ideas to) as we talked about my work.
After
high school and two years of community college, I transferred to a
university to major in film studies and production because I was in love
with the idea of writing and directing my own work. And while I did
love writing and directing, I learned that I had more fun directing or
producing work of others, rather than my own.
On set things
change at the drop of a hat and as the writer, it was harder to let go
of scenes and lines that you created rather than someone else's script.
When I finished my BA, I went on to pursue my MA in Creative Writing
focusing specially on screenwriting. It was there that I realized I
really only wanted to focus on script writing, specifically writing for
television.
It isn't an easy task to accomplish, but I am
currently working on spec scripts of TV shows for my portfolio (you need
several samples) saving up (and planning) for my move to California and
working part-time as a Script Analysis.
What inspires the content you create?
Hmm,
this might be a long winded answer haha, but I'll try to keep it brief.
I generally consider myself a screenwriter because is where my career
seems to be heading, but I started off writing short stories when I was
very young. I even started a book series in high school. I didn't finish
it, but almost every day I think about it and tell myself that I will
finish one day.
And it wasn't until a few years ago I started to
realized why the series meant so much to me. A lot of the characters
were based off of friends and family in my life at the time who came
from different background, economically and ethnically.
When I
started to pursue writing as a profession a part of my creative spark
dimmed and I started to think about ways I could create what the masses
wanted in terms of style, format and in a way predictability. I lost a
level of connection to my work and while others liked what I was doing, I
would always feel it was just ok work.
I realized that I wasn't
seeing myself in certain things and not just in my own work. I would
find glimmers of similarity here and there in characters(in books or on
the screen) but on a psychological level. Maybe a character would be
petite like me, or African American like me, or academically driven like
me, or have spirally curly hair like me or dimples like me, but like I
said these were just glimmers.
Now, I have a handicap. A
physical handicap that most people can see when I walk, but since I can
walk people will down play it. A lot. I am fortunate enough to be able
to use my legs to go about where and when I please to a certain extent.
But I have friends and family who do not have that privilege or who
limited mobility.
I am more than just my handicap, I am more
than just my dimples, and I am more than just my ethnicity. I am
layered, like an onion (as the saying goes ^-^) and my family and
friends from all over the world are too. And that is what inspires me to
create. To emulate those layers. To show humanity to the world in
relatable, every day characters with great stories.
I people
watch, I ask question and I listen. Sometimes it's when a random
encounter in a grocery store check-out line turns into a ten minute
discussion, or when you hear someone singing in a changing room behind
yours.
Now, I am still learning and working on my methods
because there is always room to grow and learn, but so far it's been
working for me.
What was it like for you growing up?
Well,
as I mentioned, I do have a handicap so growing up it often felt like I
was living apart form everyone else. Meaning my life barely paralleled
what is considered the 'normal' way of growing up. I was home schooled a
few times, which left no real room for error when it came to school
work.
I would even say that on some level it helped me to stay
driven and focused when it came to school. Luckily, I was always able to
bounce back into the rhythm of things when I was able to return to
school, but I hated it so much because I was missing out on 'life' with
my friends.
Besides my twin brother, who shares the same
handicap, I do not think it would have been as easy growing up on the
line that we did.
And when I say line, I mean the line between
full and limited mobility during recess, class trips, gym etc. So it was
difficult, still is, to have to explain where I fit or why I could walk
on my own, but still needed braces, walkers or wheelchairs on standby.
Most people think a person has to be either this or that, but you know I'm an onion so...
How can we make the conversation about diversity where it needs to be?
Mmm...this
question has such a simple and complex answer for me because I know
that a nice mix of opinions are present in a piece or conversation when I
am able to see myself and one or two my closest friends as relating to
the topic.
And just to give a clearer picture here, two of the
main people that come to mine are from Japan and Brazil. We're close
because we share an interest in film and screenwriting, but also because
of our differences.
And since I'm from America when I do see
connections outside of myself in a discussion, I feel like we're taking a
look at a bigger picture and not just gleaming through a peep hole.
Riving
up conversation about diversity I feel has a lot to do with the concept
of perspective and a willingness (ability) to see more than what your
eyes or the media commands you to see.
I mean honestly, aren't
books, TV and film suppose act as artistic outlets that are meant to
reflect upon life and society? Instead, main stream is stuck in this
type-casting, generic representation vortex.
Main stream media
should really be looking at indie films, independently published
material and the shows on streaming platforms to grasp a better concept
on the importance of diverse perspectives. (Culturally, domestically,
ethnicity etc.)
One of my favorite new shows to watch and
analysis is Netflix's Sense8 because it literally takes place all around
the world. It examines several different cultures, life styles and
languages while effortlessly anchoring the narrative with these eight
strangers.
Who are all connected to each other due to a shared
consciousness. Which is the best aspect of the show (in my opinion)
because it reminds me of my friends and how our likes and differences
keep us close and connected.
What are creators not doing well when it comes to the conversation of diversity?
To
put it simply, emulating it. They should spend five minutes on a train,
in bar, at a jazz show or in the the real world in general to actually
see the people they're attempting to create for.
It's also
important for wannabe creators to understand their audience and the
medium they're writing for. DO the research for your craft and DON'T
assume imitation is the answer to succeeding. Take it seriously and make
it count.
What types of books(or media) did you like consuming growing up?
No,
I did not always feel represented in the types of books, TV shows or
films I watched growing up, but on some level that had to do with my
level of consciousness about it. It wasn't until I was older that I
started to actively seek out things that I felt were more relatable to
me if I wasn't writing it myself.
When I was younger, I studied
(of course) the books, films and TV shows I'd watch and learn the
formats and the markers for twists in the story lines. (Because that's
what normal kids do, right?) However, I do wish I did start to actively
seek out the acute mediums that did offer diverse representation before
starting high school.
Are there any forms of media that you thinks gets representation right?
Off
the top of my head I'd have to say of the TV shows that I watch and I
feel do a good job with strong, diverse representation (of females and
POC) would be: Jane the Virgin, Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn Nine Nine,
Rosewood (new show) UnReal, and Orphan Black.
These are the kinds of shows that I love to watch and would love to write for.
What would you tell your teenage self that you wish you knew now about your growth?
I'd
tell her to slow down and compare her level of accomplishments to
others. The path that she thought she was going to take detoured into
something else, so it's okay for her to not be sure about the future.
The career path that she is meant to be on will be there waiting for her when she arrives.
What
sites would you recommend for those trying to educate themselves better
on the conversation about diversity in books and media?
Um I don't know that many, but a few sites I'd recommend would be:
Her Story Arc (it's a site specifically for stories and media that showcases strong and progressive female characters) : http://herstoryarc.com/
Diversity in YA: http://diversityinya.tumblr. com/
ConStar Writes, (who's a blogger who likes to cover diversity in TV): http://constarwrites.tv/
Fangs
in Fantasy (is more or less a blog dedicated to analyzing and
discussing the representation accuracy of POC, LGBTIQA and characters
with disabilities in TV, films and books): http://www.fangsforthefantasy. com/
Wild Unicorn Herd (A blog dedicated to creators of color for mostly Sci-fi-ish related material): http://wildunicornherd.tumblr. com/
And
since I am a screenwriter, I do focus more on TV/Film material so
hashtags I like to use are: #diversityintv or #diversityinfilm.
Finally, where can folks go for updates, and to learn more about your projects going on?
All updates can be found on my website: http://gjackswrites.com/
G.
Jacks (Gianna) started writing creatively at the age of seven, and
takes pride in the ability to learn not only about the world she lives
in, but also herself through the written word. She is a freelance
dramedy, comedy, mystery/suspense, short story author and screenwriter.
To date, She has three written and produced short films under her belt and is currently striding to put the finishing touches onto her first feature-length screenplay. When she’s not writing, drinking coffee or re-watching I Love Lucy episodes, she likes to lay upside down over the edge of her bed and watch Netflix. :-)
To date, She has three written and produced short films under her belt and is currently striding to put the finishing touches onto her first feature-length screenplay. When she’s not writing, drinking coffee or re-watching I Love Lucy episodes, she likes to lay upside down over the edge of her bed and watch Netflix. :-)
None of the pictures are showing up. The same for previous posts as well. Not sure of you guys are aware, or it may be my browser.
ReplyDelete@Lekeisha, I have to check up on that! I've been hearing horrible things about blogger, so I'm hoping this isn't the case XD
ReplyDelete