Chat with Screenwriter Robin Swicord

April 11, 2001

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Taker: It must have been quite an experience directing for Disney! Can you tell us a bit about it?

Robin Swicord: I was very lucky that for a brief period of time, Disney decided to encourage writers to direct and they did this by allowing their executives to select a writer and give that writer enough money to make a short film. Gaye Hirsch was kind enough to produce a short film that I had written about my beloved grandmother. The experience of making this film was unmitigated joy, but unfortunately, because of the contractual constraints with Disney, the film cannot be distributed or seen anywhere except at festivals. It was called "The Red Coat" and it starred veteran actress Teresa Wright, who in her youth worked with Hitchcock and Kazan.

Hatter: Do you write screenplays adapted from existing stories, or original stories?

Robin Swicord: I'm lucky enough to be able to do both in my career. I just adapted a book called "Mermaids Singing" by Lisa Carey, but I am about to write an original screenplay; a comedy, called "Loco For Lotto." I love adapting other peoples' stories. I feel like an actress inhabiting a role as I try to take on the mindset of the author, but I also love to write the stories that I find rattling around in my head.

Nestle: How long does it take you to write a screenplay?

Robin Swicord: The writing usually takes me three or four months, but sometimes I do research for a long time before I begin writing. In "Little Women," I read extensively in 19th century history and letters before I began writing the screenplay.

Rosemary: What is it like to be a screenwriter, married to a screenwriter?

Robin Swicord: I'm glad I have the company of someone who understands how difficult it is to work in the business of filmmaking, plus sometimes he and I get to write together, which feels like an extended play date for Nick and for me. I think we are both understanding of each other's special foibles when it comes to needing extra time on a screenplay or being distracted at the dinner table because we are mentally writing. I can't imagine not being married to someone who would understand me so deeply.

Queen: What projects are you presently working on?

Robin Swicord: I am preparing to direct the film "Mermaids Singing" and I am continuing to try and get my film "Thing of Beauty" cast and while I am trying to move those two movies forward I am at work on a comedy about a Hollywood couple whose housekeeper wins the lottery.

Madeline: What is the biggest obstacle you face in your line of work?

Robin Swicord: It's difficult to get good movies made. It's difficult for anyone to bring high quality work to the screen, but it is especially difficult for women. In any given year, the number of women who get their movies made make up only about 8 percent of the writers who are represented on the screen. Things are getting better for women, but at a glacial pace. It is a problem that is quietly acknowledged in the film business, but is generally not talked about openly.

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