AARON SORKIN Master Class | Festival 2017

Our 2017 Industry Conference kicks-off with an extraordinary Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin! The legendary Academy award-winning screenwriter, producer, playwright and filmmaker returns to TIFF for an illuminating conversation about all facets of storytelling from stage to screen, and his directorial debut Molly's Game, one of this year's most-anticipated films.
tiff.net

[@job3rg]

Video starts at 8:40

[@bhattjignesh9]

Cactus Jones 2.0 thanks man great help

[@melody5736]

Not all heroes wear capes. I was just about to turn away after 7 minutes :/

[@Cubo589]

Cactus Jones 2.0 o

[@AhmedVlogs1]

thanks

[@marcussfebruary9104]

Thanks dude!

[@arzabael]

I like listening to him more than a lot of people

[@Nash9r]

He should write another flick for Fincher. That combo was magical.

[@joserochapinto500]

Totally agree!

[@Madbandit77]

They were going to work on the Steve Jobs film, but it didn't work out. Maybe something else in the future.

[@HelloHello-tm7uc]

I was going to say Danny Boyle as well-- because Steve Jobs is magical. I would love for him to work with either of them@@Madbandit77

[@Ward413]

Interestingly, he actually wrote The Social Network for Sony. They actually wanted Sorkin to direct it, which he wasn’t comfortable doing so he figured he’d send it to Fincher, assuming he’d pass. But Fincher called him three days later and said he’d do it. Pretty rad.

[@patricktsai2303]

Would it be fair to say they were a match made in heaven

[@YEDxYED]

One of the most natural things I’ve ever done in my 19 years of life is act out what I write. Doing that has contributed well as I’m now writing my first serious novel.

[@nilricci4835]

lame alert (autogenerated alert, do not reply)

[@lvvry1855]

An inspiration to all screenwriter, love him or not. Nice to feel his humility plus confidence.

[@afrosymphony8207]

Time just flashes by beautifully anytime i listen to aaron sorkin. i never watch an hour long content on youtube let alone an interview but this was so good i didnt even notice the passage of time.

[@trishcurtin8729]

❤️

[@KevinMuller5]

@Jim Dandy oh damn..what happened? Where did that all go down?

[@judichristopher4604]

EXCELLENT VIDEO "Bravo Darling.... Bravo"

[@NostalgiNorden]

Clip starts at 8:32

[@BucketheadChuck]

Thanks man

[@tommyrocketrevington]

NostalgiNorden for prez.

[@FictionIgnition]

thanks!

[@Mindseas]

A great talk. Maybe not a masterclass as such, but I'm still thankful for getting to watch this as well.

[@F3ND1MUS]

I love how you never compromise on being yourself.

[@TheDemocraticNationalCommittee]

Real video starts after 8:30

[@Mr_Bob_A_Feet]

Holy crap dude, I never knew it was Carrie Fisher who helped get him off drugs.

[@Nautilus1972]

Especially surprising since Carrie couldn't make herself get off drugs..

[@thetiktokman]

holy fuck you're a fictional character!

[@gamechanger7545]

I'm guessing that one slipped out ...

[@capowable]

“ I know you think that you’re not going to be able to write as well without drugs. I promise you. You’re going to write better” Breathing life into a dire situation.

[@RARA64HUNNID]

hip hop is my first luv. when ppl ask me who i think the dopest lyricist of all time is, i tell’em aaron sorkin.

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

romello5kuggz Haha, that is a great answer!

[@JohnMoseley]

I'm so ready you wanna stick a fork in, Beatin' on men like Andrea Dworkin, Spittin' sentences like Aaron Sorkin.

[@screwthenet]

DAMMIT! I just started my dialogue with dammit. TAKE THAT YOU HACK!

[@johnta17]

great interview

[@johne.nobody2946]

Aaron Sorkin is truly a great, I love every film he’s ever written. But I have to admit, every Aaron Sorkin character speaks, well, just like Aaron Sorkin. The coke-y, rapid-fire, super-witty dialogue that’s become his signature also kinda renders all of his characters the same, but that’s fine, as long as you enjoy Sorkin and the way his narratives play out through dialogue. I still would totally recommend his Masterclass, though, to aspiring screenwriters-being one myself who was fortunate enough to take it.

[@dddeadlift]

I watched The trial of The Chicago six and i thought The same. It was really annoying

[@cheriemeade4753]

rick says aaron sorkin his scripts are priceless to anny actor out therefor an actor a script from aaronsorkin is like a xmass prsent to amnny actor

[@Bacbi]

I know some people don't like the type of semi heightend reality he often creates especially when he did the newsroom people went after him like crazy. But he is scary good at writing characters that once u get to know them u really enjoy their company. edit: and I just saw the trailer and holy fuck it looks like this movie was made specifically for me :p

[@okaysookay]

This is great. I agree completely. I fall in love with all of his characters.

[@lynnturman8157]

I think the original title was Bacbi's Game

[@jimmaculate3802]

wasn't the newsroom satire?

[@PerthTowne]

@@jimmaculate3802 No, The Newsroom wasn't satire. The Newsroom was set in the recent past, using actual events that had occurred and having the journalists in the show cover those events as if they were happening now. I loved The West Wing, but I think I loved The Newsroom even more.

[@Bacbi]

@Evan Hodge Great constructive criticism, really learned my lesson there. I'm all for wasting time, but what are you trying to get at about the content of what I wrote?

[@addicted-ol4vg]

what a beautiful smile 😊

[@storytellershiveshmishra6189]

i dont know how's this a masterclass and not an interview where the molly's game is being promoted

[@doober781]

clip stars at 8:45

[@A1Authority]

8:45... Sorkin is allowed onstage.

[@ZombieJohn]

Starts at 9:00

[@rishikamath6718]

12:53 How has Sorkin not written a film about this!?

[@judichristopher4604]

OH MY GOSH... THAT is an EXCELLENT IDEA...

[@disisfunny88]

Pls help me come to Canada 🇨🇦 😢😭 i love you guys

[@kevinw712]

damn I'm not familiar with this interviewer but she is adorable as all get out

[@EventingInSeattle]

hahaha. you must be joking.

[@thetiktokman]

she has really fat legs

[@thebacons5943]

What’s the point of leaving a comment like this?

[@gothxm]

@@thebacons5943 whats the point of asking a question like this?

[@thebacons5943]

@@gothxm what’s the point of asking a question like this?

[@gnewt75]

I wonder what book he got that he eventually through out the window was titled lol

[@anavonrebeur6121]

Theatre Format system book. Shit

[@gamechanger7545]

Great interview and even greater since this Immense screenwriter really opens up and admits things people don't normally do. But, as far as Molly's Game is concerned, even though I totally get his desire to keep Molly as the theme of the movie and be unwilling to let anyone else touch her, I think there was a big mistake in the film that ironically has little to do with directing. Story isn't money, drugs, fame, whatever. Story is Molly and her unbelievable life, and still, the only scene we see her losing her cool is when she's a teenage girl, deciding to have a dig at her father. I think he went a little too far with her narration and I would've loved to see her have a total breakdown when the man intruded her apartment and beat the hell out of her. I mean a stick took her career away and her chance to make herself and her family (dad especially ...) proud. And then she comes back and does that ... Holy f. And then she loses everything again and she doesn't have a meltdown ... I don't buy it, even if this is what she told him happened. That would've made the movie so much better and really got us close to her. I think she didn't tell him about the breakdown, but still, he should've realized it happened. If he knew and intentionally didn't include it, then he hurt her story by doing so, not help her ... Cause now, what I feel about her after seeing the movie twice, is that she's some sort of superwoman, which she isn't.

[@stephenhopkins8925]

Why does this title have "Master Class" in it? MasterClass and Sorkin's MasterClass on writing is not this.

[@Me-gs3uu]

47:50- casting

[@Danetto]

his "pen" has been in every thing? xD

[@AnastaciaMary]

The reason you don’t feel comfortable comparing yourself to a cute puppy is that you actually ARE a cute puppy, Aaron. ;)

[@AnastaciaMary]

You said « maddening, » A.

[@AdarshRaj-nw3yj]

Is it me, who finds Sorkin's voice very similar to David lynch's

[@thebeehiveclustermovie8195]

A tiff awkward silence from 5:36 until 8:08

[@VivekKumar-rx3ss]

Kala Art Shown Now Bilkul. It's yess. Now.

[@isabellapittore2514]

5:00 -- did she say MILE Davis?

[@MissingMoya]

No, she just didn't enunciate it that clearly. Possibly a slight lisp. You didn't catch her out on being ignorant, but nice try.

[@cheriemeade4753]

if your an actor helps actors beleave there are stuff worth your time out threre very time consumming making a show so you want to do things worth it

[@maverik15j]

8:45

[@franciscojaviergarciagomez2846]

Please, develop this story

[@adityathota5158]

22:34

[@hauntedhose]

⚠️ Videos starts 8:45 ⚠️

[@johndeagle4389]

Mile Davis at 4:52. Does she even know who Miles Davis is? MILE?

[@johndeagle4389]

@Evan Hodge Gibberish!

[@arpitsrivstva]

*is there anything to learn from this interview?*

[@bigman25plus25]

I found it helpful. Acting out the scenes as he writes them was a useful tidbit

[@arpitsrivstva]

@@bigman25plus25 Thankyou so much!!! :)

[@gothxm]

The books he mentions.

[@arpitsrivstva]

@@gothxm timetag plz?

[@gothxm]

@@arpitsrivstva i forgot where. The book is by William Goldman. Google "Screen Trade William Goldman" and you should see the book.

[@UpTheDown7]

8:48 - she thought she had something with that line...

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Ok. I said I wasn’t good at visualising things. But, I do conjure up stunning images which are not vivid. I guess, I don’t know how exactly artists manage do that. Maybe, they too can only imagine their drawings vaguely before constructing them.

[@ClubpoppTV]

Sorkin states himself... "he's not a very good visual writer..."

[@penjamfilms]

Aaron should take time to write some new answers to generic questions. :) I pretty much know all his stories by heart by now. :D

[@cesarhernandez7108]

24 minutes of the video and havent seen his masterclass!

[@judichristopher4604]

HE... is the Master Class... LISTEN and LEARN

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

The character also needs to be analysed. Cuz, it’s part of the brain. I request the Japanese woman to go ahead and see the whole thing. She’s responsible for its changes, afterall.

[@VivekKumar-rx3ss]

Tyler rooh kaanp Jaaye . Ye BHI hua tha. Yaad Karne Waale Yaad rakkhe. Direct Yaha. Karna Nahi.

[@torqued666]

Video starts at 9:00 - thank me later.

[@Applecompuser]

She is not really listening to interview and missing chances for great spontaneous follow-up questions. He told a great story about his first writing and she never asked what it was about.

[@praveenkumarism]

For someone who was incredibly successful in writing wonderful screenplays, he sure as hell takes his time to formulate his thoughts here. Maybe he was under the imagination that he was writing a screenplay of the interview.

[@109Tyler]

Praveenkumar T yeah it seems like he is including all the necessary setups in order to make the stories he tells have interesting or funny payoffs which takes a few more words.. stuck in storytelling mode

[@Nautilus1972]

People who speak quickly and on demand are not thinking about what they're being asked or what they're saying.

[@RTpatrick09]

The dude has Aspergers apparently. probably has something to do with his desire to talk about himself rather than the process. But considering that fact, he communicates well and gets laughs with his jokes. he's clearly learnt that this is the best way to present his identity to the world - as far as I'm aware autistic people find it harder to fit into the world naturally. They have to pay close attention to what's going on and still usually don't manage to perceive things the 'normal' way. After observing him a little, I think there's a possibility that everything he does it to fit in. He tells jokes that seem to work, but he himself rarely laughs at these jokes. I don't think this is stylistic or executive decision making, but more that he doesn't really find them that funny, and in some cases - I've found him repeating jokes or stories in multiple interviews word-for-word as if scripted. He's worked hard on finding out what works, and he sticks to it rigidly. I imagine his intelligence and story telling ability is linked to this constant process he's involved in. sorry for the lengthy message. I'm studying the great current screenwriters and this guy seems to give the least amount of valuable insight. Still an interesting guy though.

[@joech1065]

@@RTpatrick09 Can you recommend any screenwriters or books or check out?

[@DrLimbic]

RTpatrick09 you're my favorite commenter. I often observe for hidden motivation. I completely agree. His acting ambition and his acting failures are intrinsically tied to his need to belong which he appears not to have experienced. He speaks with effort, stiltedly, and appears to edit himself as he speaks which is a particular mindframe least amenable to the improvisational nature of the interview or a confessional. It is odd that given his writing credentials he is unaware of this approach. This gave me the impression that much of his career is due to plain luck.

[@VivekKumar-rx3ss]

Much Easier. Bad hua hai. Yaad se. Kya hua Aisa. Ye to

[@alenabayti5622]

not infirmitive story will be stolen

[@hauntedhose]

Uhhh ummm ahhhh uhhhh ummmm ahhhh errrrrr !!! 😩😩😩😞😞

[@ctwatcher]

He could seek some head care, call Kaiser and they'll help him. Or should we call in a red flag on him before he harms someone?

[@gothxm]

Calm Down

[@judichristopher4604]

YOU think you're so funny YOU'RE NOT... just Rude and Mean.

[@ams914]

Who else laughed out loud when she thanked Native American tribes? Be honest.

[@lylehwong8786]

Dammit too fake news. However, magnificent towards great writings. 🏆📚✒

[@LeftHandPuppetry]

wow that introduction was awful 😹

[@VivekKumar-rx3ss]

Yaad hai. Akela tha. Nahi to clear Karo.

[@familycorvette]

I was looking forward to this but you totally turned me off with the performative "Indigenous land acknowledgment." If you care so much, give the land back. But since you obviously aren't going to do that, please don't stink up the joint with your hypocrisy.

[@VivekKumar-rx3ss]

Stop. Kael aae bhugtu.

[@lynnturman8157]

He would be a terrible actor in an Aaron Sorkin movie. The irony.

[@judichristopher4604]

YOU do NOT need to be RUDE and MEAN Go AWAY

[@lynnturman8157]

@@judichristopher4604 You're not the boss of me.

[@judichristopher4604]

@@lynnturman8157 BAHAHAHAHA You sound like my grand-daughter... You are right... I am NOT the Boss of you.... Because If I was... YOU would be fired for being so Rude and Mean.

[@suckerfree23]

That's an ill fitting suit that Sorkin is wearing.

[@veritas6335]

Too much introduction ! ! Really! Almost nine minutes of miscellaneous uninteresting people blabbing before we get to Sorkin? Get serious.

[@ksr3869]

I'm not here for your history

[@judichristopher4604]

Then leave... Bye Bye

[@TorontoCreatives1]

Sorkin is great-the interviewer is punching way above her weight intellectually. Pity. Wasted opportunity with a great subject.

[@TorontoNad]

I would also add strange posture and body language that is generally seen amongst first year university students who are asked to withdraw before second semester.

[@marshallzane7735]

That’s sort of an insensitive way of putting it

[@stefanomaggio5109]

This guy might know how to write, but hell no, he doesnt know how to talk lol

[@GreatestAndGreatest]

He’s a writer not a speaker. We all writers are the same: we better communicate in writing than talking; therefore our words flow on the paper.

[@stefanomaggio5109]

Sure, but he wants to teach DIALOGUE... I find it at least strange.

[@bradebronson8835]

Stefano Maggio You may know how to comment, but hell no, you don't know how to be smart.

[@KhasAdun1990]

One of the first things he says in his masterclass is that he's a much better writer than a speaker.

[@ANigerianPrince]

Dialogue isn't how real people speak.

[@hemant7212]

Disliked. Questions were very very irrelevant. I came here to learn something from a great director but the questions were so irrelevant that didn't pull out any relevant information. Who's interested in knowing what was his first movie like? We want to know about his process and so on and so forth...

[@nikkoXmercado]

The words from Sorkin in this interview would actually sound good without all those uhhs and ehhhs and ummms.

[@judichristopher4604]

WOW... Does it make you feel like a BIG Person.... Cutting down and being RUDE and MEAN? No Compassion at all... Why are you even here?

[@Nazaba09]

‘Steve jobs opened two years ago next month but if you go right now, you can still be amongst the first to see it’. He’s not wrong, that movie is AWFUL. 😂

[@harikesava7978]

Natalie Zayas-Bazan he actually is accepting that no one would have seen because its that bad. Thats why he says that even after two years you would still be the first one to see it.

[@Nazaba09]

i know, that's why i said 'he's not wrong'. lol

[@IAteFire]

Haha no it's not. You probably didnt even watch it. And that's the whole point of his comment.

[@nataliezayas-bazan9322]

i did see it, unfortunately. waste of two hours.

[@hector6715]

I hope you guys are referring to Jobs with ashton Kutcher and not steve jobs with fassbender which is the one he wrote. If youre referring to the ladder i dont want to live on this planet anymore....

[@dr.aniasara7038]

It's hard to listen to people interview with tight lips, and I guess a new age way of speaking that doesn't open their mouth to speak, and no experience with interviewing with intellect.

[@frankielambardo9268]

Todays movies and television shows are total garbage!

[@gothxm]

Lmfao

[@aix83]

An incoherent rant that never answers the questions. Only a masterclass if you want to specialize in political speeches.