by John Bảo
I started my writing journey a few years ago as a screenwriter. But becoming represented and selling a script takes time and a lot of finished scripts. So, when the opportunity to direct my own material (while getting paid for it!) popped up, I took the leap forward.
At first, I was hesitant. I used to tell myself I was only good at being a screenwriter. Directing didn’t come as naturally to me. I can easily imagine a complete scene playing out in my head and describe it with rich imagery and sensations. However, translating that image into… actual visuals? It sounds contradictory, but you really can’t just dump the image in your head onto a storyboard and then into a moving picture format.
Cinematic language is an entirely different beast. You ensure visual continuity, consider camera movements, and how to stylistically elevate your story without unnecessary distractions—all elements unclear in scene descriptions and action lines. The way characters move within their scene–that matters. Every minute detail, from the character entering the scene, every single step they take, every breath, eye movements, and object interactions. On top of that, as a screenwriter who looks to sell scripts to be directed by someone else, you don’t write out specific visuals in the script, because you’re overstepping boundaries. The screenplay acts as the blueprint for the director to follow, allowing space for the director to add their flair and do their job.
When I first started making novice short films, my friends, who played as my actors, would always ask me what exactly they should be doing in the scene and if they were moving correctly. They can’t just stand and deliver their lines, because otherwise that would be boring. The plot becomes secondary as a director, and the most important thing becomes the visual language. You would think screenwriting and directing go hand in hand, but they don’t. They require different ways of creative thinking. It’s precisely why teams of creatives work on films; it involves many forms of art.
I soon discovered that the things I like to write about and what I like to direct are very different. For writing, I like to focus on more character-focused and introspective stories. But for directing, I like things to be stylish, either with creative editing, lighting, and even surreal imagery. They fulfill very different needs for me at the moment. And that’s okay. Hopefully, one day, I can reconcile these two voices in my head to create something truly wonderful–a rich story with spectacular visuals to go alongside it.
What I’m saying here is this: don’t box yourself under one label. Because you never know what else lurks in that brain of yours if you don’t use it. “I only write non-fiction because I’m not that creative,” or “I’m just a writer, I can’t create other things,” are limiting beliefs. Create to your heart’s content, and maybe you’ll find a way to marry your creative avenues.
John Bảo, originally from Toronto, is an emerging writer and filmmaker drawn to character-driven storytelling, no matter the genre, ranging from the surreal to borderline autobiographical. Most recently, he was a fellow of the Justice For My Sister BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab, developing an all-ages TV animated pilot script under mentorship from established screenwriters and alongside a cohort. He was also part of the Youth Critics Initiative, hosted by The Asian Canadian Living Archive (TACLA), having written an evaluative critique on short films that played at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, under a mentor. You can catch him watching films, struggling in music, or exploring the world in his never-ending search for inspiration.
The views and opinions expressed in blog posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of all WiT members.
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