The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

227 | Oscar-Nominated Writer Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, Unbelievable): "Know The Difference Between Truth and Facts"

Dec 19, 2024

Susannah Grant, an Academy Award-nominated writer known for Erin Brockovich and Unbelievable, joins the conversation to discuss the fine line between truth and facts in storytelling. She explains how personal experiences fuel creativity and the emotional complexities involved in writing biopics. The dialogue covers the intricacies of character development, especially for female leads, and the challenges of addressing sensitive topics. Grant also shares insights from her first directing experience, balancing preparation with the joy of creation.

01:08:01

Episode guests

Susannah Grant

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Susannah Grant illustrates the distinction between emotional truths and factual details, emphasizing authenticity in storytelling over mere accuracy.

The tension between networking and writing is a struggle for many writers, necessitating strategies to prioritize their creative processes effectively.

Grant's unique approach to story structure focuses on character interaction and emotional arcs, moving beyond traditional frameworks to enhance narrative engagement.

Deep dives

The Emotional Impact of Writing

Writing possesses the power to evoke deep emotions, both for the writer and the audience. Susanna Grant highlights her own experience of navigating personal grief while simultaneously working on scripts, demonstrating how raw emotional states can enhance the writing process. She believes that heartache can influence creativity positively, allowing for more authentic storytelling. This connection between personal experiences and writing illustrates the profound nature of emotion in art.

Intro

4min

Balancing Creativity and Connectivity

8min

Unlocking Creative Processes in Writing

6min

The Art of Storytelling: Balancing Fact and Fiction

16min

Crafting Emotional Resonance in Biopics Through Character Dynamics

3min

Navigating Sensitive Narratives and Creative Collaboration

5min

Balancing Preparation and Enjoyment in Directing

22min

Many of Susannah Grant's movies are based on true stories, which, for a writer, often invites thorny questions about adaptation — What should I include? Is it essential that every detail I include happened verbatim? In answering these questions during today’s fascinating conversation, Susannah sheds light on an important reality: sometimes in fiction writing, there’s profound difference between truth and facts.

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