LMU Magazine - The Magazine of Loyola Marymount University

J.J. Abrams’ Lessons For TV and Film Writers

J. J. Abrams is the director of the next installment in the “Star Wars” franchise. He showed clips and spoke to SFTV film students in Mayer Theater on a recent Saturday morning.

Published: May 16, 2013
By Joseph Wakelee-Lynch

When J.J. Abrams came to the LMU campus on Feb. 9, he brought an impressive pedigree: creator, writer, director, producer, on projects including “Lost,” “Felicity,” “Alias,” “Star Trek” and, most recently, “Star Wars.”

One can only imagine the stories he’d be able to tell students in the School of Film and Television. But Abrams brought lessons as well as stories.

J.J. Abrams’ Lesson No. 1: Community
Abrams says the TV-film business is a community. It may be a hard business to break into, he said, but that there is “no clear way to get in is one of the great things about it.” In that kind of business, lots of pathways can open a door. Invariably, he explained, someone will get a job, and it may be a friend. So what’s his advice? Build your community.

“There is no moment when you become that person you want to be,” Abrams said. “You are that person right now. The key is to find a community.”

J.J. Abrams’ Lesson No. 2: Inspiration
Abrams recommended being always open to inspiration.

“Inspiration can come from anywhere,” he said. “It can come from an idea, a feeling, a mood or a character.” Abrams keeps a notebook while working on a project, for doodling, he admitted. He also likes to write in noisy places, because it helps him to focus. The title of a hit show “Felicity” came to him simply because he knew a girl in high school with that name, and he long wanted to write a character who shared it, simply because he liked it. When given to actress Keri Russell, it became the perfect name.

J.J. Abrams’ Lesson No. 3: Collaboration
Abrams considers it almost essential. Accepting the notion of collaboration can allow you to avoid big mistakes. His 2009 “Star Trek” film, he recalled, was going to open with Spock’s birth. Abrams liked the idea, it was “adorable,” he said. But others told him it was a mistake. “You have to realize that negative reactions to something you like usually represent an important critique,” he said. He realized the film would drag and dropped his adorable idea.

When Abrams described his idea for “Felicity” to his writing partner, Matt Reeves, Abrams framed it as a movie. Reeves told him with no bombs or a horrible bad guy, it seemed more like a TV show than a movie. As the record shows, “Felicity” was a smash.

J.J. Abrams’ Lesson No. 4: Pitching
Abrams was asked if when pitching a show networks expect a detailed and elaborate plot outline for the show. “With TV,” he said, “the network wants to know you can tell a story, not so much that you have a five-year plan.” His show “Lost” was green-lighted with only a 20-page script, he confessed. He was given 12 weeks to create a pilot and write and cast the show.

“Some of the best work is done when you go with the best plan you have at the moment,” Abrams said, “and yet also remain open to good ideas that come along.”

J.J. Abrams’ Lesson No. 5: Appreciation
At the end of his time with LMU’s film students, Abrams shared his simple excitement with the creative work that drives him:

“Sometimes I can’t believe my day’s problem is how can I get this ‘Star Wars’ scene to work or how do I get that ‘Star Wars’ meeting into my schedule. If you had told me years ago that that would be my problem, I’d have laughed at you.”

(Photo by Jon Rou)