This week Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin spoke happily during a virtual presentation for Montclair Film Festival.
Moderated by Stephen Colbert, the wonderfully informative conversation focused on the phenomenal career of the filmmaker. While massive success has come his way it was a road to get there full of some ups and downs for the famous screenwriter.
Speaking on how writing is one of those things that you just have to just do – like Michelangelo working on ‘David’ – you just have to chip away to find the masterpiece. “You have to think of it before you can write it. Don’t sit down at the keyboard and say okay, characters takeover! Let me be the vessel through which you needed attention…You need to organize your thoughts, and you need to know what the first scene is going to be. You don’t need to know what the last scene is going to be, but you do need to know what the first thing is for you right now.”
The hour-long talk wrapped up with a discussion on casting Sacha Baron Cohen in one of the leading roles in his latest film ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ as American political activist, Abbie Hoffman. While many viewed the character actor known for ‘Borat’ to have difficulties portraying a historical figure in a drama, Sorkin stated it was a matter of just letting him act to know he was right for the role.
“I remember that day shooting that scene,” said the Oscar winner about Cohen’s moment in the courtroom drama at the trial. “Everybody wanted to watch.”
Montclair Film, a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization connects filmmakers from around the region and world with audiences by presenting films and year-round programs that engage, educate, and entertain through the power of visual storytelling. The ninth annual Montclair Film Festival, presented by Investors Bank, will take place from October 16-25, 2020. The Storyteller Series is presented by Audible. We are grateful for generous support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies; the County of Essex Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs; and Hackensack Meridian Health, Mountainside Medical Center. Additional support is provided by Chubb; Coldwell Banker Realty; William H. Connolly & Co.; Hiker; Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; The Nature Conservancy; and RBC Wealth Management, as well as from Ashenfelter, Trembulak, McDonough, Golia & Trevenen, LLP; The Bravitas Group; Genova Burns; Kore Private Wealth; Partners for Health Foundation; and Rao’s Homemade. All programs are made possible with funds from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, as well as the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, among many others. Montclair Film provides unique and meaningful ways to engage with diverse, creative, and sophisticated audiences and seeks sponsors for its signature spring film festival and other year-round programs that attract more than 46,000 annual attendees and generate more than 750 million media impressions yearly.
