Work Becomes Something Incredibly Special: Unleashing Your True Self as a Writer or Filmmaker

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As a writer, or as a filmmaker, you have to present yourself, and part of what yourself is is what you’re interested in, or what you think is funny, or what you think is sad, or what you think is horrible.

Charlie Kaufman

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Work Becomes Something Incredibly Special: Unleashing Your True Self as a Writer or Filmmaker Discovering the true essence of being a writer or filmmaker means sharing a piece of yourself with the world. By incorporating your interests, humor, emotions, and even concerns into your work, you create something incredibly special, authentic, and relatable. Embrace your unique perspective and let your voice be heard through the stories and films you create.

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Meaning of Quote – As a writer, or as a filmmaker, you have to present yourself, and part of what yourself is is what you’re interested in, or what you think is funny, or what you think is sad, or what you think is horrible.

Hey there! So, you’re curious about what the writer Charlie Kaufman meant when he said: “As a writer, or as a filmmaker, you have to present yourself, and part of what yourself is is what you’re interested in, or what you think is funny, or what you think is sad, or what you think is horrible.” Well, let’s dive into that and explore what it means, especially if you’re someone who loves to create stories or films!

When we create something, like when we write a story or make a movie, we’re not just putting words on a page or images on a screen. We’re actually sharing a little piece of who we are with the world. That’s kind of like when you have a conversation with your best friend and you tell them about things you enjoy or things that have happened to you—you’re sharing a part of yourself. Charlie Kaufman believes that’s exactly what writers and filmmakers should do when they create their work.

Think about what interests you. It could be anything from the world of dinosaurs to the mysteries of outer space. Or maybe you have a sense of humor that finds the fun in everyday things, like a cat chasing its own tail, or you have thoughts on matters that are pretty serious, like friendship, family, and what it means to be brave. Your interests, what you find funny or sad, what you’re curious about, or even what you find truly awful—these things say a lot about you.

Putting yourself into your work means you let your own ideas, feelings, and experiences shine through. When Kaufman talks about presenting yourself, he’s really saying ‘Be true to you!’ Your unique view of the world is super important because nobody else sees the world quite like you do.

So, imagine you are writing a story. Instead of just making up some random plot, you think about the things that are important to you or the things that really get you thinking. Maybe you read a book or saw a news report about the environment and it got you worried about what’s happening to our planet. That’s something you can include in your story! You could write about a character who’s trying to make a difference or create a world that shows what might happen if we don’t take care of our Earth.

Now, let’s talk about the funny stuff. Humor is a big part of who we are. What makes you laugh? Jokes about silly mishaps at school? Puns? Slapstick humor? Bringing your sense of humor into your writing not only makes your work more enjoyable to read or watch, but it also makes it more you. Often, what we find humorous tells a lot about our personality.

   

Then there’s the sad stuff. Sharing what makes you sad or the hardships you’ve been through can be really powerful. When you do this, you give others the chance to connect with your story on a deeper level. It can be something as simple as losing a pet, struggling with homework, or as complex as dealing with family issues. These experiences, when woven into your stories, help readers feel like they’re not alone in their own difficult times.

And don’t forget the really horrible stuff, which can be a little tricky, but stay with me here. These could be the things in the world that really worry you or make you feel a bit scared. Maybe it’s about bullies, or seeing someone be treated unfairly. When writers tap into this, they can create villains that stand for those injustices or problems in our world, or stories that tackle these tough topics head-on. And you know what? Sometimes that can inspire people to make a change in the real world.

When someone reads your story or watches your movie and they come across these bits of ‘you’ throughout the work, they might think, “Hey, I’ve felt like that too” or “I get that joke!” It’s these shared moments that make stories stick with us, make us think, and even help us realize that our own thoughts and feelings are important.

But here’s a little secret—not every single thing you write has to be deeply personal. Sometimes, you might add a bit of something just because it’s exciting or interesting to you, and that’s totally okay. Being a creator is also about having fun and exploring new ideas. It’s like trying out different ingredients in a recipe to see what tastes best.

Alright, let’s sum all of this up. Remember Charlie Kaufman’s quote? He’s really encouraging writers and filmmakers to be brave enough to let their work reflect who they are. When you write a story or make a movie that includes what you care about, what makes you giggle or tear up, or what makes you want to shout “That’s not fair!”—that’s when your work becomes something incredibly special and true.

And one more thing—don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard. Whether you’re doodling comics in your notebook, writing stories on your laptop, or even filming little movies on your phone, you are sharing a part of you with every word and every scene, and that’s pretty amazing.

So, go ahead and create something that’s a big ol’ slice of you. Use what you love, what interests you, what moves you, and maybe, just maybe, the stories and films you create will move someone else too. And that, my friend, is something truly wonderful.

   

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