GITS reader David A sent me a link to an amazing set of videos, a sit-down conversation with TV and screenwriter Rod Serling. Most well-known for the long-running TV anthology series “The Twilight Zone” (148 episodes, 1959-1964), has over 70 writing credits including the screenplays for movies such as Seven Days in May and the original Planet of the Apes.
This week and next, we’ll feature Serling’s thoughts on writing each day with short (1-2 minute) interview excerpts. Today Serling ruminates on the thought: Writing to please an audience:
“Isn’t art a shared experience? Isn’t the excellence of art dependent on a reaction from the outside to someone’s work?”
Thanks again to David for finding these videos.
words of wisdom from rod serling. especially the bit about don't write DOWN to an audience.
i'm reminded of a quote by my second favorite director, sam peckinpah, who, when asked about the wild bunch, said that he *was* the audience for the film. he made a movie that he knew people would want to see, because he himself wanted to see it.
so that attitude seems to address both of rod serling's points — that a writer must have artistic integrity, but also that works are communal, they are inherently a shared experience.
by assuming that you, yourself are the audience for your work, it seems that you bridge the gap between the "you" and "they."
I'm just glad that you're posting these. I have always marveled at the brilliance of Rod Serling – a genius in story telling.