Interview (Part 6): Beth Curry

My interview with the 2020 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner.

Beth Curry wrote the original screenplay “Lemon” which won a 2020 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Beth about her creative background, her award-winning script, the craft of screenwriting, and what winning the Nicholl Award has meant to her.

Today in Part 6 of a 6 part series, Beth provides advice to aspiring screenwriters.

Scott: You’re sitting down. You’re starting your writing day, you’ve got a scene that you’re going to write, because that’s what we do. Screenwriters, we write scenes. What do you think about when you’re writing a scene? Are there specific goals you have in mind?

Beth: I have to set a timer for myself sometimes because I’ll be like, “Oh, I need to take the trash out. Oh, I need to re-grout the counter top. This is not essential to my writing process,” but if I have time without alerts on my computer or phone or anything like that, I can go for a while. I get sucked in.

I don’t really have any goal. Usually, it’s about a page count. I will sit down and handcuff myself to the chair. Wait, no, I couldn’t write if I did that… but you know what I mean. Tie myself to the chair and be like, “OK, you’re sitting down and you’re writing 10 pages or you’re writing fifteen pages,” or whatever it is.

Usually, if I have a good understanding of the upcoming moments or I know where I’m going, I can go there. Then, I’ll pick up a surprise on the way and be like, “Oh, I didn’t see that. It just sort of happens.” For me, there’s no real goal.

Scott: Is there something you love about writing, or do you find it torturous?

Beth: Oh, my God. No. It is my oxygen. I fucking love it. There’s nothing I love more. I’m a dork. I love writing. It’s how I calm myself down. Even when I was waiting in the waiting room for Nicholl, they put us all in the waiting room to tell us if we won or not, I was writing. It’s the only thing that can calm me down.

Especially right now, like, “Oh, I’m going to sit at my computer and create a world that I can control.” Yes, please. People say I write fast, but I don’t know. I just write because it’s what brings me peace and joy. And I write all over the map…lots of different genres.

I was with a manager at one point, and he was like, “You’re just drama. Pick this lane. You’re just drama.” I was like, “Urr,” but I’m not. I’m now with managers, two women, who are badasses, who are like, “All right.” I’ll throw them an action rom-com. Then I’ll throw them Lemon. They’re game and able to work with whatever I throw at them.

I’m not concerned about writing anything commercially or appeasing anyone. I write a script, because I need to write it. It’s gotta come out…or I’ll get backed up. Ha. Lots of poop references, here. Writing, at this stage, is purely selfish. I write what I need to write.

Scott: Again, this is a perfect example of why I say if you want the path of least resistance, and through having talked to a zillion managers and battling them with it, this whole idea about OK, write three scripts in the same genre that are $10 million or $20 million and under. That makes their life easy because then they can brand you, and they put you up for that.

There are plenty of other writers that I know that all are over the map and write whatever they want to write. You got to find those people. Elevate — is that your management company at this point?

Beth: Yes. They’re awesome.

Scott: You got to find people who respect that. That’s going to be more work for them, but they’re going to also have a happier client who’s going to more likely to create something that’s going to lift up on the page and people will respond to it. Good for you is what I’m…

Beth: We have a lot of projects all over the place. A comedy series, a dramedy, a drama…

Then during the last few months, I was like, “I need comedy. I need to laugh.” I wrote shit that makes me fucking laugh. It’s hilarious, but even in an action rom-com, these characters are flawed and need each other. They’re both flawed in their own ways and have emotional journeys.

I can’t not write that. I don’t care if I’m writing a Marvel movie or a rom-com or anything. I need flawed characters that need to go on a journey.

Scott: Final question… what advice can you offer to aspiring screenwriters about learning the craft, and trying to break into the business?

Beth: I would say follow your gut. You are the only person to tell the story that you want to tell. You have a unique voice. Don’t try to fit in with anything else. Learn the rules, and then break the rules. Write every day. Show up even when the critic inside of you is telling you that you’re just writing a bunch of crap. Just keep going because you’ll get to the good stuff eventually.

I would say be consistent with your art like anything else really make time, make space for it and don’t give up. There have been so many times that I’ve cried in my car in the parking lot of my writer’s group from a tough night of notes.

A writer’s group is also good because it teaches you how to take notes. You’re going to have a lot of opinions. You’re going to have studio notes. You’re going to have network notes. A writer’s group preps you for that because you get a lot of differing opinions and you have to stick to your instinct. What is going to propel this story forward, what story am I telling?

It could be fuck all these notes, I’m sticking to my guns. But I find even in a “bad note” or a note that you don’t think applies, there can be a gem. It’s just about dropping your ego and allowing it in. I think trusting your inner storyteller and your instinct is what will fuel your storytelling. I don’t know if that’s good advice.

Scott: No, I think it is absolutely.

Beth: Also, another thing is the theme. When I start out with a story, I really start with, “What am I working through or what theme am I telling here?” I make sure that that is in every scene that I’m writing, that it is somehow touched upon.

Scott: Great. This has been a hoot.

Beth: Oh, my God. This was the best conversation ever. Will you marry me?

[laughter]

Beth is repped by Jenny Wood and Raquelle David at Elevate Entertainment.

Beth’s website: LINK

Totsy website: LINK

Twitter: @bethcurrywagner

For Part 1, go here.

For Part 2, go here.

For Part 3, go here.

For Part 4, go here.

For Part 5, go here.

For my interviews with every Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting winner since 2012, go here.

For my interviews with Black List writers, go here.