C. A. Barrow
As the 2023 Writers Guild of America labor dispute is in full swing, it is heartening to see our students pursuing screenwriting careers, with great gusto and success, during this ever-changing landscape for motion picture and television writers. Without a script, we’d be bereft of dialogue, devoid of settings, and lost on plots. You probably wouldn’t have your favorite TV specials without the creativity of dedicated writers. Entertainment, in its myriad forms, is essential to us all, irrespective of the medium through which it’s consumed. Some of the most common conduits are through the media. Whether that’s through motion pictures, video games, or various forums on the internet, writing always plays a pivotal role. However, today, our focus shifts specifically towards the art of writing for the screen.
Introducing C.A. Barrow, a candidate for the NYU SPS Certificate in TV and Film Producing, ambitious screenwriter, and engaged student here at NYU through the Center for Publishing & Applied Liberal Arts. He A lifelong lover of reading and writing, Barrow has chosen to aspire higher by applying to the prestigious New York Screenwriting Fellowship Program through the Writers Guild of America East, to which he has been accepted! This program is fiercely competitive, and a talent like Barrow’s merits recognition. We’ve had the pleasure of corresponding with him, gaining insight into his personal journey and his adventures in this exciting field. Read on to learn more.
What inspired you to become a screenwriter?
CB: Books. I’ve always loved reading from a very young age. Then I started watching films and fell in love with the medium. Once I discovered that writing also happened in film I immediately knew that I would be a screenwriter.
How has your approach to writing been influenced by the TV and Film Producing courses you’ve undertaken as part of the PALA Certificate program?
CB: The certificate course sharpened my understanding of what goes into the different types of producing and what executives and investors are looking for when they read screenplays. Having this knowledge allows me to really tailor my stories and make them as attractive as possible to potential funders/distributors. Having that business understanding increases the potential for creative success.
Can you describe the screenplay you submitted to the NY Screenwriting Fellowship program? Why is this story important to you?
CB: I can’t say too much actually but what I can share is that it is a STEM-based action film that deals with a timely global issue and combines jaw-dropping set pieces with critical social analysis. It’s important to me because the moving image is one of the most powerful artistic mediums. When you use it to educate, entertain and inspire, it can change the world.
What do you hope to accomplish during the fellowship?
CB: I want to finish a couple drafts of my feature screenplay and learn as much as I can about the industry from my mentors. My goal is to be a successful writer and member of the WGA [Writer’s Guild of America] and so I want to soak up everything that their talented members have to teach.
Do you have any advice for other students who aspire to become screenwriters?
CB: I think it’s just as important to learn about the business of screenwriting as it is to learn the craft of screenwriting. It is a career and you must approach it as such. Understand buyers and financiers, what they’re looking for and why. Learn to pitch. Learn about the value of the work you do. The NYU SPS TV & Film Producing certificate and the WGA can help with both.
Do write; don’t rush. Screenwriting is one of the rare crafts where success is not synonymous with youth. Life experience is generally the friend of a writer, the more you accrue, the better you write. But you must write. Practice your craft religiously. Live curiously. Write and live.
Thank you C.A. Barrow for your time and answers! Congratulations on receiving the fellowship, and we hope to see your name in credits on the big screen soon!
For more information on our Certificate in TV and Film Producing, click here.