Ariel Chan’s Pull Back the Curtain

The city's most innovative English youth scriptwriting initiative Pull Back the Curtain returns! To give everyone a better look at what it means to be in the workshops, we spoke to some of the participants from last year. First up, we have Ariel Chan (photo: middle)!

How did you find out about Pull Back the Curtain?
I was invited to perform for one of the winning pieces in the first Pull Back the Curtain project. I was intrigued as a performer and wanted to join next year as a writer, so I did!

What was the programme like and what was your greatest learnings?
Through reading plays in various genres, polishing your skills in writing exercises and acting out plays and scenes, the programme allows people to develop your own story in your unique style of writing and with your limitless creativity. You would explore your limits in constructing your own story while broadening your horizons and inspired by others' fabulous ideas.

By that, I was able to know so much more about plays and the behind-the-scenes of a play as I didn't have such opportunity to understand the technicalities and the creative process of writing a play before. To meet people with similar passion in writing and to be inspired by ideas that you didn't think were possible was indeed a journey for me.

What were the biggest challenges?
My biggest challenge would be settling for one idea when writing my own play. During the program, I am constantly inspired by different plays in each session. My mind just kept changing and jumping from place to place. I wanted to go in so many directions, all at once! I struggled a lot when choosing the perfect plot and style. Luckily, with the help from my friends, in the end, I managed to settle with one.

Where do you get your writing inspiration from? What was most helpful in guiding you to write a piece?
My writing inspiration comes from the little things in our daily lives, because the insignificant details around us could be the reason for our happiness and laughters. My inspiration could also evolve from those little things to something emotional, unrealistic, even surreal. And because of that, I certainly need help keeping track of my progress and where to go from one scene to another. To not drift off when writing a piece, I would proofread multiple times to make sure I make sense, or I would write a synopsis or draw out a story-line before hand. With a storyline and synopsis in hand, I finally was able to concentrate when writing.

How has being part of this programme helped you (e.g. school, college applications, life etc)?
Writing scripts and developing stories in school assignments have certainly become easier. This program allows me to appreciate plays not only as a performer, but also as a writer. It feels very satisfying to identify the characteristics and style of a play based on the knowledge I've learnt in the program. I remember upon mentioning this program in a scholarship interview, I believe interviewers saw me in a different light, knowing I am more than a performer, I am also one who values and appreciates the creative process or writing.

What's next for you?
Upon graduating secondary school in July and winning a scholarship to Harvard Summer School, I plan to attend more writing courses in Harvard from June to August. (Maybe contemporary dance courses if it's still available!) But for now, still struggling to choose between an liberal arts school in NYC and a fashion institute in Paris for university! Once it's settled, I'll be off right after summer school! One thing for sure, no matter which continent I am on, I will continue to write and get inspired by everything and anything!