Episode notes
"It's just a f***ing play."
--James Thoo, award-winning screenwriter, playwright, author, and one-time pro boxer, after he'd dedicated four months of his life to writing, directing, and producing what became a sold-out show.
For someone with an exacting precision with words (he gently corrects actors' lines because he can hear that the number of syllables is off) and a creative writing talent that he's honed since childhood, James argues that mental health (his own, and that of his family and colleagues) is paramount.
Join the conversation as James and I explore the intersection of creative ambition and responsibility, the tendency to romanticise "suffering for art", and the choices we make when bringing our visions to life.
Listen to learn more about the choices you have in how you use your talent and its impact on the world, and how to establish your own voice when everyone is trying to capture attention.
(00:02:46) It's just a f***ing play.
(00:04:06) Romanticizing the importance of art.
(00:07:43) Encouraging open-mindedness about mental health.
(00:11:21) Bringing creative control to life.
(00:14:09) The importance of rhythm.
(00:17:27) Envy and social media.
(00:22:04) Marginalized communities and creative expression.
(00:24:19) Supporting underdogs in the arts.
(00:28:04) Finding my strengths in childhood.
(00:32:08) Sarcastic writing and feuds.
(00:34:29) Being unique in a crowded world.
(00:38:11) Personal subject matter and humor.
(00:42:27) About boxing (and not giving up).
(00:44:55) Briefly, you were a pro boxer...
(00:49:38) The changing nature of writing.
(00:51:07) Personal values and creative control.
(00:56:30) What next? Singaporean stories that travel.
(01:00:01) What the world would look like...
You can find out more about James here:
His book, Palooka: 12 Rounds to Fatherhood
And to learn more about Erika:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-behl