Medianews.az website owner is the chairman of the Azerbaijan Screenwriters Guild, Nicat Dadaşov.
- The Screenwriters Guild was established at the end of last month with the support of the Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union. Bringing screenwriters together, strengthening professional cooperation, and contributing to the development of the art of screenwriting - you announced these as the main goals at the founding meeting. Is the new Guild the first institution in this field in our country? Are there any other organizations that bring screenwriters together?
- The Azerbaijan Screenwriters Guild is the first official professional institution in this field. Screenwriters usually operate either individually or within separate projects. While there are cinematography unions, a specialized guild exclusively targeting the rights, professional standards, and development of screenwriters is established for the first time.
- Is there an estimate of how many screenwriters there are in Azerbaijan?
- Currently, there are no official statistics on the exact number of active or potentially active screenwriters in the country. However, as the Guild, together with the Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union, we are preparing a guidebook called "Azerbaijani Screenwriters," which will be one of the first steps in this field. This book will contain information about approximately 300 screenwriters who are active or have potential. It will also serve as a basis for monitoring the field's development in the future.
- We are aware that it is possible to specialize in screenwriting at the University of Culture and Arts. Are there any other places in our country where someone wishing to pursue a screenwriting career can turn? Should additional opportunities be created for the training and development of young screenwriters?
- The University of Culture and Arts is the primary educational institution. Additionally, independent film schools and courses operate in the country. However, my advice to young people is to thoroughly investigate the leadership, curriculum, and graduates' success before applying to any school or course. Sometimes the colorful advertisements on social media create an impression different from reality.
Regarding development, of course, there is a great need for additional opportunities. As a Guild, we have made this one of our priority directions. Our activity plan contains all the necessary tools for the development of screenwriters: masterclasses, script laboratories, creative residencies, meetings with international mentors, competitions, awards, and so on. Our main goal is to support the integration of young people into the field—that is, in simple terms, to help them find their place in the profession.
- There are not few people dissatisfied with the scripts of our new films, especially serials. In your opinion, how much responsibility do screenwriters bear for the failure of films and serials?
- Screenwriters do bear some responsibility for failure, but this share is often exaggerated. Cinema is a collective art. Even if the script is well written, if sufficient time and professional discussion are not allocated during the development phase, if the director's vision does not properly align with the script, or if there are significant changes during the production phase, the result can be weak.
Most of the problem is systemic: lack of time allotted for script development, weak long-term collaboration mechanisms with screenwriters, poor contract conditions, and improper team collaboration. Screenwriters should be open to criticism, but it is unfair to place all the blame for failure solely on them.
- Do film producers and television channels in Azerbaijan know how to value a good script and distinguish a quality script from a poor one?
- There is some progress in this field but still not enough. In most cases, television channels solve the script selection issue only at the synopsis level or leave this task to the production companies they commission. As a result, everything mostly depends on the taste and experience of those companies.
Although some channels have selection committees with certain criteria, overall, the time and financial resources allocated for developing quality scripts are very limited. The main problem is that the attitude "I am the one paying, so I want it my way" is still widespread. However, the party spending the funds must trust the professional team and communicate its opinions about the script in a discussion format, not in a dictatorial way. Much work needs to be done to change this mechanism.
- What are the main problems of screenwriters in Azerbaijan: weak creative ability, talent, and knowledge (individual qualities), or external factors such as lack of technical and financial support?
- Both exist, but the main problem lies in external factors. There are enough talented and potential authors. However, systematic support, financial mechanisms, script development funds, laboratories, and stable income opportunities for professional development are weak.
Many screenwriters keep their main job in another field and therefore can dedicate little time to creativity. This hinders quality and professional growth. The Guild specifically targets these systemic problems.
- To what extent do Azerbaijani screenwriters have opportunities to participate in international projects?
- Currently, opportunities to join international projects are limited and mostly occur through directors or producers. Screenwriters themselves find it difficult to directly enter the international arena.
One of the very successful models worldwide is residency programs for screenwriters. Residency programs allow a screenwriter to spend 1-3 months in a quiet and creative environment focusing solely on writing, while also meeting foreign experts to exchange experiences.
As a Guild, we intend to bring this experience to Azerbaijan, directly connect local screenwriters with their international peers, and adapt it to the reality of our country. Naturally, the goal is to integrate international experience into the national cinema.
I would like to repeat what I said at the Guild's presentation ceremony. Development will primarily begin by supporting each other. Therefore, I invite all screenwriters, especially the young ones, to gather around the Guild. By supporting us, you are also paving the way for yourselves because we prepare very interesting programs for you. Let's develop Azerbaijani cinema together.
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az
Note: The article was prepared on the topic "Promotion of the history of statehood, national customs and traditions, science and culture of Azerbaijan" in accordance with the financial support and competition conditions of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
