Calling all writers! Do you feel stuck? Are you having trouble finding inspiration?
Writing can be fun, but it can also be frustrating, from rewriting multiple drafts, to receiving countless rejections by publishers, and of course there’s every creative’s greatest enemy… doubt! Like Godzilla, doubt stomps on every belief you have in yourself as a writer until every creative fiber in your being becomes rubble and ash.
While the easiest choice would be to quit and choose a “safer” profession, there is another choice, and that is to keep going.
So if you’re feeling insecure about your talent, watch these films and TV series that’ll boost your confidence and get your creative juices flowing.
Tick, Tick… BOOM! (2021)
Directed by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens, Robin de Jesus, Joshua Henry
Where to watch: Netflix
This brilliant movie musical is based on the real-life events of Rent creator, Jonathan Larson (Andrew Garfield), as he’s on the brink of turning thirty years old. Jonathan wrestles with his anxieties of being a theatre writer, while struggling to maintain his personal relationships.
Directed by three-time Tony Award winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film was adapted from Larson’s biopic musical of the same name as it spotlights on powerfully relevant themes such as fearing mortality, the power of community, and the costs of pursuing a dream.
Larson’s writing journey had its moments. Simple ones like him making up a song about sugar as an exercise, frustrating ones like the pressures of songwriting, and educational ones like his process of making a musical, and being critiqued by one of Broadway’s legendary composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim (Bradley Whitford). Although there was no moment more real for Larson like learning the hard realities of being a writer, handed down to him by his agent, Rosa Stevens (Judith Light).
This movie can help aspiring writers learn the highlights and hard knocks of theatre writing while dancing out to the film’s head-banging music.
SMASH (2012-13)
2 Seasons | NBC
Created by: Theresa Rebeck
Starring: Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katherine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Angelica Husdton
Where to Watch: Fandango at Home, Peacock, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
This musical series had captivated audiences with its compelling characters, its insightful look at the world of Broadway, and its sensational music.
According to the official synopsis:
“At the heart of the show are the musical’s composer Tom (Christian Borle), who is gay, and the lyricist Julia (Debra Messing), who is somewhat against the idea of a Marilyn Monroe-themed musical. The plot will follow an out-of-town tryout of a Broadway musical, and centers around a songwriting team who write a musical about Marilyn Monroe based on an offhanded remark from an assistant. They post a showstopping number on YouTube. When it’s a viral hit, a producer (Anjelica Huston) who’s looking to recapture success long past decides to produce the musical. There are two choices to play Marilyn – Karen (Katharine McPhee), a talented young newcomer, and Ivy (Megan Hilty), a theater veteran.”
It’s the fictional songwriting team, Julia Houston and Tom Levitt, who are the real stars (at least for the writing audiences). Though Jonathan Larson’s journey as a writer was fascinating, it’s more refreshing to see professional songwriters go through the emotional roller coaster that is The Writing Process.
The show’s second season really dug deep into the last steps of the process as Julia and Tom were signed onto work with a Dramaturg, “a literary editor on the staff of a theater who consults with authors and edits texts”. Aspiring writers can learn and relate to Julia’s experience as she was strongly resistant to having an outsider change her story, but eventually realizes the need for revision in order for the musical to become a smash.
Finding Neverland (2004)
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie
Where to Watch: Pluto TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video
Creativity and heart go hand in hand in this movie as it’s based on real-life events about famed playwright, J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and the family he befriends that would become the inspiration for his greatest work, Peter Pan, all while navigating life’s joys and sorrows, and the irresistible power of imagination.
The entire film explodes with fantastical visuals that came from Barrie’s mind, from a dancing bear to the wondrous landscape that is Neverland. Not one scene disappointed my inner child or my outer writer.
However, the movie’s true magic comes from Barrie’s growing bond with Peter (Freddie Highmore), as they connected over losing loved ones at a young age and how it deeply affected their lives.
Seeing how Peter’s loss pushed him to grow up too fast, Barrie gave him an extraordinary gift that only an author can give: a leather-bound journal. As Barrie put it, “All great writers begin with a good leather binding, and a respectable title”.
That journal, combined with Barrie’s influence, inspired Peter to write his own play while letting himself be a kid again. Being a writer is more than publishing stories, it’s giving people what Barrie gave Peter, and that’s the gift of imagination.
Dickinson (2019-2021)
3 Seasons | Apple TV
Countries: United States
Created by: Alena Smith
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Adrian Enscoe, Ella Hunt, Anna Baryshnikov, Jane Krakowski, Toby Huss
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Nearing the beginning of the Covid pandemic, Apple TV+ creator and producer, Alena Smith, created a genius coming-of-age retelling about one of America’s greatest poets, Emily Dickinson.
This period dramedy series follows a young Emily Dickinson (Haliee Steinfeld), a woman ahead of her time striving to be a great poet while navigating her relationships, being non-conforming in uptight society, and exploring our history’s triumphs and tragedies that would shape her to be the writer we know today.
Honestly, when I first watched Dickinson, I stopped after its first season due to loss of interest, but during my time at college when I took a course on poetry, I rewatched season one and resumed, and now I can’t stop myself from bingeing it over and over because it’s that good!
For writers who crave for the poetic word, watching this show may help writing their intense feelings to reality.
Goosebumps (2015)
Directed by: Rob Letterman
Starring: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Every writer dreams their stories would come to life, this movie however takes the meaning literally.
According to the official synopsis:
“Upset about moving from the big city to a small town, young Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets his beautiful neighbor Hannah (Odeya Rush). The teen is surprised to learn that Hannah’s mysterious father is R.L. Stine (Jack Black), the famous author of the best-selling “Goosebumps” series. When Zach accidentally unleashes the monsters from the fantastic tales, it’s up to Stine, his daughter and Cooper to return the beasts back to the books where they belong.”
I can’t say enough how enjoyable this movie is. Not only do you get to relive the Goosebumps nostalgia, but you can learn the fundamentals of writing a story from understanding your characters, to what makes a story believable, to outlining basic structures.
As Stine (Jack Black) explains his own outline, “Every story I’ve ever told, can be broken down into three distinct parts: the beginning, the middle, and the twist.”
Little Women (2019)
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep
Where to Watch: Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Louisa May Alcott’s classic book has been adapted to screen numerous times, but the 2019 version directed by four-time Oscar nominee Greta Gerwig is its crown jewel.
It’s the story of the March sisters including Jo, who’s trying to make a living as a writer, and Beth, whose illness brings the family together and reminds them what’s important.
A lot of writers can relate to Jo’s experience like when her book got burned, being stubborn against criticism, and doubting her abilities. It was Beth’s death that finally pushed Jo to write a book about their lives so readers can relate to their experiences as women, sisters, and family.
Aspiring writers can also take a page from Jo’s book when she deals with her editor. Have self-confidence, protect your work, and know your worth.
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
Directed by: Bharat Nalluri
Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
The Christmas season is over, but a writer’s work is never done, and no one knows more than classic author Charles Dickens.
According to the official synopsis:
“In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.”
Dan Stevens’ magnificent portrayal of the author gives audiences a deeper look into his creative psyche. His interactions with the characters are both lively and surprisingly insightful. They helped him with his story and gave him a better understanding of himself and the people whose complex and imperfect natures influenced his iconic characters, especially Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer).
It’s so exciting to see author and character working together; Stevens’ and Plummer’s onscreen chemistry was undeniable as they bounced off each other’s clashing ideals that went from comical to enlightening and darkening to heartening.
This delightful holiday film can prompt aspiring writers to explore their characters in deeper dimensions that’ll make them more real to both author and reader.