Robert Hirsch

I worked with a very unique person in 1989 and for many years, now and again, I’d think how they would make a compelling character in a movie.  It wasn’t until about 3 years ago that, very quickly, a story, a murder mystery starring a similarly unique person, came through.  I outlined it in a matter of a few weeks. I’d never written a screenplay.  My writing had mostly been confined to non-fiction. But some deep channel of happiness revealed itself as the creative process took hold in the outlining and then writing of this screenplay.  I have now completed 3 screenplays that have all done well in competitions.  In the writing process, it is so beautifully mysterious how ideas flow.   The birthing process of a script is quite compelling, intense and joyous.

I sense my process is unconventional.  I basically start with the genre I want and conjure a basic sense of how I want the story to end. Once the ideas come together to form the basic story, ideas start to fly through me, morning, noon, and night, sometimes awakening me, and I madly write them down, forming scenes and playing with them like a ceramic artist plays with and forms clay. 

I often find that autobiographical tidbits start leaking into and enhancing the story.  For example, as a teen I was bit by a snake.  I hadn’t recalled this for years but it came to me while writing one of the screenplays and worked wonderfully well for this to be an experience of my protagonist.   But what’s helped the most in the process is not trying to willfully force anything, not to try too hard, but trusting the creative process, allowing ideas to flow when they do, and to work with them as they arrive.

I am a huge fan of great movies, all genres.  Wild, intense movies thrill me and inspire me.  I feel I know what makes a good or great story.  One of my scripts is a sports drama loosely based on real events from my childhood.  Using ideas that came to me, I tease through them, considering what are the most interesting, entertaining, work well for the story and mood I’m creating, and have substance. 

I’ve had many mysterious experiences, many spiritual experiences, many experiences taking magic mushrooms, have traveled the world over, and have been a licensed mental health therapist for over 30 years.  With this rich tapestry, ideas have flowed, and friends and a consultant have helped me refine the scripts.

That I cannot say.  The 3 scripts were each written very quickly and then refined over months. Each were a sort of ecstasy, almost like I wasn’t writing them, but they were coming through me until the basic stories were formed.  Then there was more “work” involved in the refining. But I enjoyed writing each of them immensely.  

Yes, it is a tough industry.  I’m fortunate to love my day work as a therapist.   Entering script competitions has been very interesting as my scripts have all done very well in some competitions and not placed at all in others.  So I’ve observed my emotions going up, down and all around.   I do my best to make use of what I feel is useful feedback from professionals and friends and try not to be overwhelmed by feedback I don’t know how to make use of or simply don’t appreciate or agree with.   I, of course, want the scripts bought and produced, and am doing my best to allow this to happen by discovering on my own, and by whatever help shows up, how to proceed sensitively and intelligently.  All the while not holding my breath and locating joy in the process.

I cannot honestly say with certainty.   Yet if a story is compelling and is well told, people will likely take notice. 

I’m noticing that I like to artfully convey how mysterious life is and that we humans can either suffer our ego driven choices or learn to find the courage to live from the intelligence, compassion and humor of the heart.

Great question.  I’ve no idea how it’s evolving but what excites me is how enlivening the creative process is.  I strive to be an open vessel for creativity to flow through in whatever medium it occurs.