Monday, February 6, 2017

Emmy and Golden Globe Winning Screenwriter Erik Bork

Today we have the honor of welcoming an award winning screenwriter, Erik Bork!

You’re an Emmy and Golden Globe winning screenwriter. What is the biggest challenge when it comes to writing a screenplay?

Coming up with an idea for a script (or series) that really works, that’s original,compelling and capable of impressing people in the industry and making them want to put money behind it.

What ran through your mind when you realized you would be working with Tom Hanks on From the Earth to the Moon? What advice would you give writers for handling a big break like that?

Excitement mixed with terror that I might blow this opportunity, and insecurity about trying to write in a very different medium than I’d attempted before (historical drama/true story). Tom actually promoted me from an assistant position to work on this project, which was a life-changing break for me, that I am forever grateful for. I guess the advice I would give writers (or those who haven’t gotten such a break yet) would be to keep your head down, strive to be of value with what you do for others, to learn and improve at your craft, and try to keep your ego and ambitions in check when you deal with others.

You’ve talked about Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat. (A favorite of mine!) What elements/items/technique do you think is the most important when writing a screenplay?

I particularly love his ten “genres”: they’re my favorite tool for evaluating and developing movie ideas at the crucial concept/logline stage. I think really working within one of those genres (which requires understanding them more than most casual readers of the book do) can help ensure that one’s ideas are viable. It’s very easy to write something that doesn’t have the power to compel millions of people to want to emotionally engage with it — and not easy to come up with something that does.

You do consultations and coaching – what is the most rewarding thing about working with writers and the most frustrating?

The most rewarding thing is when I come up with ideas or insights that a writer really appreciates and can run with, and when I see them improve in their craft and know that they have improved, in part due to my assistance.

I suppose the most frustrating thing is when they don’t seem to make any progress or don’t seem to be able to successfully process feedback from myself or others, and move forward with it.

When you began this crazy writing journey, is this where you thought the path would lead? What else do you hope to accomplish?

All of the specifics of what I’ve experienced have been unexpected (both for good and bad). I certainly hoped I’d be able to write professionally, and I have achieved that. But there is much I haven’t done that I’ve long wanted to do, especially to initiate original projects and see them through to success with audiences. That might mean writing and directing on an independent basis, which is what I’m focused on at the moment. (I’m currently in post on a short film I wrote and directed.)


I’m a screenwriter best known for my work on the HBO miniseries BAND OF BROTHERS and FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, for which I wrote multiple episodes, and won two Emmy and two Golden Globe Awards as part of the producing team.
I’ve also sold series pitches (and written pilots) at NBC and FOX, worked on the writing staff for two primetime dramas, and written feature screenplays on assignment for companies like Universal, HBO, TNT, and Playtone.
I teach screenwriting for UCLA Extension, National University and The Writers Store, and offer one-on-one consulting to writers.
I got my start as an assistant to Tom Hanks, who gave me the opportunity to help him write and produce FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, after reading some sitcom spec scripts I had written.
I’m currently represented by Creative Artists Agency.

Connect with Eric - Website, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn



25 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Great tip about working within the parameters of the 10 genres to help ensure success.

Congratulations to Erik on the awards!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great to meet Erik. Awesome he got to work with Tom Hanks. I really like his suggestion to work within the 10 genres in Save the Cat. It's been awhile since I read that book. Going to check it out at the library.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for visiting us today, Erik!

The Cynical Sailor said...

Thanks for the inspiring and encouraging interview!

Shah Wharton said...

Great to learn from your vast experience, Erik!

Pat Hatt said...

Goes to show it can happen indeed. Great interview.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

What an exciting story of working hard and getting the big break. Screenwriting seems like a really difficult field to break into. Thanks for sharing, Erik.

Bish Denham said...

Thanks for spending some time with us, Eric.

Christine Rains said...

Wonderful interview and congratulations to Erik!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Great interview. Hope you have much success with your own short film.

cleemckenzie said...

How exciting to find this screenwriter here today! I so enjoyed the series, Band of Brothers and am looking forward to watching From the Earth to the Moon. I'm sure it will be excellent.

Chrys Fey said...

Thanks for visiting with us, Erik!

Sandee said...

Being a success and doing something you love is the ticket.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

J.L. Campbell said...

Thanks so much for taking time to do this for us, Erik. We appreciate you sharing your creative journey.

diedre Knight said...

Fascinating interview! Such an unassuming outlook from one so talented is refreshing, Erik. You well deserve the rewards!
Thanks, Alex!

ebork said...

Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

If you're interested you'll see a lot more of my thoughts at www.flyingwrestler.com. I can also be e-mailed at erik@flyingwrestler.com.

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Thanks for the informative interview!

Fundy Blue said...

Thank you for sharing your expertise with the IWSG, Erik. I've never considered screenwriting myself, but I truly enjoy great movies and scripts! I am in awe of writers like you who are successful screenwriters!

Sherry Ellis said...

So great to have Erik as a guest here! I enjoyed Band of Brothers. That was some really good screenwriting. Thanks for the informative interview.

Lux G. said...

Whoa! Starstruck. So talented and generous with ideas. Thank you for sharing with us aspiring writers and bloggers. :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Great interview. I have to agree that coming up with a great idea is the hardest and best thing you can do.

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congratulations to Erik!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Keep your head down and ego in check. Seems like excellent advice!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

So thrilled to me you, Erik. Your accomplishments are fabulous. What a fun time it must be walking around in your shoes. Congratulations on all your hard work. And thank you for sharing with us. It's been an honour.

Michelle Wallace said...

Thank you for the wonderful and informative post, Erik.
Congrats on the awards!