239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing
Feb 27, 2025
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In this lively discussion, Hollywood writer Dana Fox, known for her work on 'Cruella' and 'Wicked', candidly admits that writing feels "REALLY torturous" for her. She shares her strategies for overcoming writer's block and the pressures of creative storytelling. Dana dives into the delicate balance of adapting beloved material like 'Wicked' while making it fresh for new audiences. Plus, she reveals the secrets of crafting emotional narratives and impactful dialogue, and navigates the complexities of pitching in the competitive screenwriting world.
Dana Fox candidly admits that writing can be torturous, yet she successfully pushes through creative blocks to achieve acclaim.
Collaboration plays a vital role in filmmaking, as evidenced by Fox's experiences working with established creatives on projects like Wicked.
Implementing time-management techniques, such as timers, helped Fox navigate the stress of multiple writing projects while maintaining productivity.
Deep dives
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Dana Fox's Career and Insights
Dana Fox, co-writer for the upcoming film Wicked and a notable screenwriter, shares her extensive experience in both film and television, including notable works such as Cruella and Home Before Dark. Through a discussion with the hosts, she reflects on the creative process, emphasizing the evolution of her writing and her journey as a creative person. Fox highlights the importance of collaboration in filmmaking, particularly when working with established creatives like the original writer of Wicked. Her enthusiasm for storytelling and her dedication to capturing human emotions resonate throughout her work.
Struggles in the Writing Process
Dana recounts the challenges she faced while working on multiple writing projects simultaneously, illustrating the mental and emotional toll that writing can take. She shares a moment of frustration during her pitch process for a TV show, revealing how hyper-focus on details can lead to procrastination on crucial tasks. This struggle led her to adopt time-management techniques, like using timers, to help maintain focus and productivity. The conversation sheds light on the common difficulties many writers encounter and the strategies they develop to navigate these challenges.
Crafting Connections through Character Development
The discussion emphasizes the significance of character relationships in storytelling, particularly in establishing the dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked. Dana illustrates how the authenticity of their friendship is crucial, as it drives emotional engagement for the audience. She points out how character introductions should evolve as the narrative develops rather than being established rigidly at the beginning. The exploration of characters' emotional states and their journeys reinforces the importance of depth in character interactions.
The Art of Pitching Your Story
Dana shares her approach to pitching stories, noting the necessity of captivating her audience right from the start. She believes that effectively presenting a hook or core concept early in the pitch can hold interest and make the audience receptive to additional details. By using methods to visualize the emotional journey of her characters, she strategically reveals the narrative's elements in a non-linear fashion. This technique allows executives to connect with the characters and understand the emotional stakes, proving to be an effective strategy in securing interest during pitches.
Dana Fox offers an incredibly generous admission in today's conversation: "I find writing REALLY torturous." And yet, she's one of Hollywood's most successful writers, having written on major franchises like CRUELLA and recently WICKED, which has earned her countless industry award nominations. What's her secret? Tune in as she discusses why writing can feel so hard and how she pushes through those blocks - or perhaps more fittingly, defies gravity.