Have you ever marveled at the journey of individuals who manage to pursue their passions while juggling the responsibilities of daily life?
Meet Jainaba Seckan, a remarkable individual who has embraced her passion for screenwriting while navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood. As a finalist in the prestigious Table Read My Screenplay competition and a dedicated student, Jainaba’s talent and determination have propelled her towards success. 
With a diverse background in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Jainaba brings a global perspective to her work, creating inclusive spaces across various industries. A graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her B.A. in International Studies, Jainaba’s commitment to fostering inclusivity is deeply ingrained in her storytelling endeavors.
Through her feature screenplay, “BUT SOME OF US ARE BRAVE,” she has garnered recognition as a finalist in the International Screenwriters’ Association’s esteemed Table Read My Screenplay competition. Her dedication and talent have earned her a scholarship to attend the renowned Rocaberti Writers retreat in France, where she will receive mentorship from an award-winning producer. Jainaba firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling as a catalyst for change, using her craft to champion inclusivity and empower narratives that might otherwise remain unheard.
Join us as we delve into Jainaba’s inspiring journey, exploring her love for storytelling, her pursuit of diverse representation in film, and her outstanding accomplishments in the world of screenwriting.
Q1. How did you discover your passion for screenwriting? Can you share any particular moment or experience that sparked your interest in this field?
JS: I’ve always been an avid reader, an interest encouraged by my parents, who gave me a Charles Dickens box set when I was eight. That love of reading turned into a love of storytelling.
When my son was born I became interested in increasing Black representation in children’s media, so I wrote a treatment for a children’s show named after him and self-published a children’s book for him. He is now nine and very unimpressed with these gestures.
I moved on from children’s media and began to focus on Black representation in film. There were so many stories I wanted to see that weren’t being told. Toni Morrison once said she wrote The Bluest Eye because it was a book she simply wanted to read. I had the same desire to write films that I simply wanted to see. In 2016 my husband bought me my first screenwriting book and I began outlining stories and reading scripts in my spare time.
Q2. What motivated you to enroll in the screenwriting certificate class? Was there a specific goal or objective you hoped to achieve by taking this course?
JS: I looked at all of the outlines I had and realized that in order to take the next step and actually write a script, I needed help. I also had a film idea that I was beginning to obsess over. I was doing research, building out character profiles, and outlining different plots. I didn’t know how to take the next step and turn all of these ideas into a script. Signing up for the class was the perfect next step.
Q3. How has the screenwriting certificate class enhanced your understanding of the craft? Can you pinpoint any specific skills or knowledge that you gained through the program?
JS: It was fascinating to learn all of the fundamental elements of screenwriting. We studied the three-act structure, explored the importance of key beats/sequences, and learned how to develop characters with strong arcs. We also learned the importance of building tension in scenes and increasing the stakes and obstacles for characters. There was so much I didn’t know. I started to watch movies differently and I even began playing a game where I would note the story beat that a movie was in and the time it took to get to it. It was a fun way of testing my new knowledge. I initially thought screenwriting was a rigid process. I learned that while structure is important, there’s also a lot of room for creativity as a writer. That mental shift was critical in allowing me to find my writing voice and style.
Q4. Congratulations on being a finalist in the Table Read My Screenplay Competition! Can you tell us a bit about the screenplay that earned you this recognition? What inspired the story and characters?
JS: Thank you! The screenplay is inspired by true events that take place at a Black women’s college in 1976. Students stage a high-stakes protest and demand that a Black woman be named President of the school for the first time. It’s an exploration of the intersection of race and gender and a coming-of-age story.
In developing the characters, I started with a few questions. I wanted to know who these women were. What led them to stage the most militant protest in the college’s history? What cultural events shaped them? I interviewed women who were involved in the protest and read as many accounts of the event as I could.
What I came to understand was that these women were shaped by major historical events. As children, they watched Ruby Bridges desegregate her elementary school. As teens, they witnessed the assassinations of King and Malcolm, the imprisonment of Angela Davis, the historic presidential run of Shirley Chisolm, the rise and fall of the ERA, and the birth of a new wave of sexual and reproductive freedom.
Understanding the context of the world that shaped them helped me create complex characters who were trying to find themselves during a time defined by change. Since the story is based on events at my alma mater I also had a deep familiarity with the school setting and traditions. My characters feel very real to me because they are an amalgamation of women I know.
Q5. Being recognized as a talented student in screenwriting, do you have any tips or strategies you’d like to share with others who aspire to excel in this craft?
JS: 1) Be open to feedback and critique. Be teachable and coachable.
2) Consider your readers while you write. It’s easy to get caught up in the world you’re creating that you forget others have to understand it too. If what you’re trying to convey isn’t coming through for your readers, then seriously consider making a change.
3) Try not to get caught up in writing the perfect first draft. Our class instructor had us read the essay “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott. I loved it. I wrote a horrendous first draft. It was so bad but I had so much fun writing it. From there, it was all about editing and refining.
Q6. What are your future goals and aspirations as a screenwriter? Are there any specific projects or genres you’d like to explore in the future?
JS: My current goal is to gain representation and pursue screenwriting full-time. I’d also like to get accepted into a fellowship program or screenwriting lab. I really enjoy research, so period pieces, biopics, and lesser-known events are of great interest to me. I’m currently outlining a story loosely based on my family’s migration to the U.S. following a coup in The Gambia in 1994. I’m also reading books about the Great Dismal Swamp, a maroon community in Virginia that sustained several generations of free Africans even as slavery raged on throughout the rest of the country. I’ve also developed an interest in the history of Iowa’s six-on-six girls basketball. I’m reading books about the impact that it had on rural communities and what Title IX meant for the program. I think there is a fascinating story to be told there.
Q7. Would you recommend the screenwriting certificate class to other aspiring writers? What aspects of the program do you believe make it valuable for those looking to pursue a career in screenwriting?
JS: Yes, absolutely! Signing up for the screenwriting certificate class was the single most important step I took in my writing journey. By the end of the course, I had my first full draft of a script and a synopsis. Having dedicated class time, assignments, and specific goals to work toward were invaluable.
As a working mom of two, I appreciated the flexibility that an online course offered. It was really convenient to be able to hop on Zoom and work at my own pace. My 2-year-old often made appearances during class and my classmates and instructor were extremely gracious.
Since the class ended I’ve stayed connected to my instructor and classmates and I’m able to reach out to them for feedback and support. I also saved all of the resources shared during class and I’m able to use them as I continue to develop my scripts.
Jainaba Seckan’s journey as a screenwriter is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have in bringing about change. As she continues to create and share her compelling stories, we eagerly await the cinematic masterpieces she will undoubtedly bring to life.
If you’re interested in exploring your own passion for screenwriting, consider exploring the Screenwriting courses offered by NYU SPS PALA. Our comprehensive programs provide aspiring writers with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to excel in the world of screenwriting.
Embrace your creativity and unleash the power of storytelling, just like Jainaba Seckan, as you embark on your own remarkable journey in the captivating realm of screenwriting!
I want to see this movie! Great interview Soumya.