Writing Can’t Be Taught — Pat Verducci
Pat Verducci, Writing Coach, Teacher and Mentor: I think it’s the magical side of writing that makes it feel really daunting and something that we cannot control.
Film Courage: Pat at what point does empathy have to be present in the story? If we have a character that is unlikeable but eventually we determine we understand why they are doing what they’re doing, is there a point where the empathy meter has to kick in for the audience?
Pat: I actually think the empathy meter has to kick in on page one. That connection needs to be established immediately in the story. If it’s not, we’re going to struggle to connect to that person and follow them, especially if they’re kind of an anti-hero main character. For example, in The Talented Mr. Ripley where Tom is the anti-hero, the filmmaker and the writer (I think it’s Anthony Minghella) works really hard on page one to establish why he wants what he wants…(Watch the video interview on Youtube here).
