Unveiling the Journey: From Doubt to Determination in Writing 'Nuremberg
The anxiety often creeps in around Page 40 for screenwriters. It's a common experience for many writers, including myself. The struggle isn't always about starting from scratch but rather realizing that the story's pivotal moments should have occurred much earlier. This realization triggers a wave of self-doubt and internal criticism that can be paralyzing.
As a screenwriter, confidence is key. We pitch our ideas with unwavering certainty, claiming that our story deserves to be told and that we are the only ones capable of telling it. However, once the green light is given, the daunting task of actually writing the script begins. It's a delicate balance of convincing ourselves that the story is worth telling, that we are the right person for the job, and that we can bring it to life on screen.
My journey with "Nuremberg" started with a book proposal by Jack El-Hai titled "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist." The true story of Maj. Douglas Kelley, a U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating the Nazi high command after World War II, particularly Hermann Göring, intrigued me instantly. The decision to adapt this story into a screenplay was swift, and I embarked on the challenging process of researching and writing the script.
Adapting a book into a screenplay may seem straightforward since the source material is already laid out. However, the challenge lies in condensing a lengthy narrative into a concise script. "Nuremberg" presented an additional hurdle as the story expanded beyond the initial focus on Kelley and Göring to include other significant characters like Robert Jackson, the Supreme Court justice who played a pivotal role in the Nuremberg trials.
The discovery of new characters and storylines threw me into a state of panic. Questions about structuring the narrative, introducing characters, and balancing multiple plotlines plagued my writing process. The weight of the historical context and the responsibility to accurately portray the survivors' stories added to the pressure. Despite the overwhelming nature of the project, I delved deeper into research to find clarity and direction.
The script for "Nuremberg" continued to evolve as new details emerged from my research. Each character's story intertwined in unexpected ways, challenging me to weave a cohesive narrative that did justice to the complex historical events. The process of refining the script involved numerous revisions and adjustments to ensure that every character and storyline had its rightful place in the story.
Just when I contemplated abandoning screenwriting for writing books, a breakthrough moment occurred. The revelation that Douglas Kelley was an amateur magician shed light on the underlying theme of deception and manipulation present in all the characters' interactions. This realization provided a unifying thread that tied the narrative together and gave me a clear direction for the script.
With newfound clarity and a deeper understanding of the characters, I approached the script with renewed confidence. The intricate web of relationships and motivations among Kelley, Göring, Jackson, and Triest came to life on the page, culminating in a compelling story that captured the essence of the historical events at Nuremberg. Despite the challenges and moments of self-doubt, the process of writing "Nuremberg" ultimately led to a rewarding and fulfilling creative journey.
Reflecting on the experience of writing "Nuremberg," I acknowledge the inherent struggles and uncertainties that come with every script. The journey of a screenwriter is fraught with moments of doubt and anxiety, but it is through perseverance and creative problem-solving that we overcome these challenges. "Nuremberg" stands as a testament to the resilience and determination required to bring a complex and compelling story to the screen, making it one of the most challenging yet rewarding scripts I have written.