I’M AN ASPIRING WRITER. CAN YOU HELP TURN MY ORIGINAL SCRIPT INTO A GAME/ANIME?

It depends! The vast majority of business I’ve done in my professional career was possible because — at one point — one person believed in another. I want to help, but first, you need to help yourself. Time is precious, so before we chat, please create a logline and outline of your work, and remember about script structure. 

Please know I don’t finance projects and won’t connect you with “the right people.” I also can’t become your editor. I can, however, share my initial impressions with you and provide general pointers if you so desire.

Lastly, before you hit that “send” button, please remember one golden rule: it’s virtually impossible to get your original show or game made if you don’t already possess a significant body of presentable work. If everything you have can be pitched in an elevator, you’re not there yet.

What is your process for creating?

I have had great luck to meet amazing creators who shared their knowledge and wisdom with me. I’m no expert, but this is what helped me with formulating ideas and to stretch my creative muscle:

1. Setting:
For instance, consider a concept like "what if names gave power" from No\Name. It's important to create an anchoring effect by building on something relatable before introducing unfamiliar elements like made-up rivers and countries. Take a point of view for that setting; for example, if this is a comedy, focus on how absurd this would make the world, or if you are trying to make it realistic, what real things in the world this new setting would change vs. our world. 

2. Characters:
Take Batman as an example. Despite various plots and adaptations, Batman remains Batman. It's vital to identify what makes a character great.

3. Plot:
Think of a classic murder mystery with a predefined structure. It's important to note that the plot is not the same as the story. It simply outlines the events that unfold. Plot entertains the same part of our brain as games do - it wants to make sense of the world or solve a puzzle in a satisfying way. 

4. Story:
This involves identifying the dramatic question that lingers in your mind, even after someone has tried to answer it. The story is about this question, not just the events that occur. It’s the lingering impression that remains with you for years after watching a movie or reading a book, even when the specifics have faded from memory.

My advice is to start by clearly defining the core of your idea, choose one of the four, and make it as strong as possible. It should be straightforward and compelling enough to hook your audience in no more than two sentences. Without a strong foundation, your idea may not hold much weight. After that, to be great, you need all four components, but to build that house, there needs to be a very strong foundation.

Secondly, stretch that creative muscle—don’t try to make it big with the first thing you do. As with everything, creativity, and storytelling are muscles that need to be trained. 

Thirdly, read/watch a lot and analyze—if you dislike a certain element, take the time to understand why. This will help you find your creative voice. 

How do I get into the industry?

The absolute basic first step is crafting a bespoke CV and cover letter and sending it to the company you’re eyeballing. Know their work and all the necessary context, and be ready to illustrate what value you think you’ll bring. And if you’re afraid you don’t have the entire required skillset when answering a job ad, send them a message and say why you think this is not a dealbreaker. Who knows.

I have a business proposal. How do I contact you?

Shoot me an email at jaki.rafal@gmail.com