In the Writers’ Room with Oscar & Emmy Nominee Ron Nyswaner

Ron Nyswaner (top row, center) speaks with the masterclass attendees.

Yesterday afternoon we wrapped another installment of our Virtual Masterclass series titled “Elements of Narrative in Film & Television Writing” taught by Oscar and Emmy nominee Ron Nyswaner.

A writer and producer by trade, Ron has created the screenplays and scripts for some of the most critically significant films and television shows of the past three decades. Notable credits include Jonathan Demme’s groundbreaking AIDS legal drama PHILADELPHIA starring Tom Hanks, the Golden Globe-winning psychological thriller series HOMELAND and the upcoming film adaptation of MY POLICEMAN starring Harry Styles and Emma Corrin. Throughout his career, Ron has championed queer stories and supported the LGBTQ+ community as an activist.

Tuning in from his home in LA, Ron anchored the class around select scenes from his prior works including the 2003 film SOLDIER’S GIRL, based on the real life 1999 murder of U.S. army soldier Barry Winchell who was killed by a fellow serviceman for dating a transgender woman. He also dissected a seminal scene from PHILADELPHIA where Tom Hanks’ character utilizes opera as a modem to express his own buried emotions, resulting in one of the most memorable and moving sequences in movie history. Ron later opened the floor for questions from the audience, sparking an animated discussion that touched on everything from general principles for good writing and finding your artistic voice to creating three-dimensional characters that suit the story you’re trying to tell instead of simply being likable.

“I've just watched Ron Nyswaner's [m]asterclass and it was beautiful, ” said attendee Amanda Lundquist. “Thank you [WFF] for all the thoughtful programming this year. You always find the most sincere and intelligent writers. I loved it.”

"It was very interesting,” remarked another attendee Helen Atkinson. "I particularly liked that Ron had positive suggestions, for example, reading Lee Child’s description of how he created the Jack Reacher character . . ."

If you want to learn more about our ongoing Virtual Masterclass series, summer programming schedule and the upcoming fall film festival feel free to sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on social media. Thank you to everyone who attended and special thanks to Ron for giving such a generous and insightful masterclass!