Writing mental health for film and TV scripts
A new class developed and taught by Media School Dean David Tolchinsky, Writing Mental Health, had its inaugural semester in the fall of 2024. Tolchinsky had previously workshopped and developed aspects of the course during his time at Northwestern University.
The class largely focused on writing mental health into film and television scripts, as well as exploring and weighing the nuance such a heavy topic deserves. Students were shown films chosen by Tolchinsky weekly in order to better understand the conversations they were having.
“The idea was to expose students to films and TV that represent mental health conditions [that range] from trauma based on racism to schizophrenia and OCD and psychosis and with the idea of them thinking about as artists how they will present mental health in a more nuanced way,” Tolchinsky said.
While the class analyzed media weekly, Tolchinsky’s goal was to have students write two of their own screenplays in an area within the umbrella of mental health that was of particular interest. Some examples include the relationship between social media and bullying and schizoaffective disorder.
“For me, I don’t want to present ‘here’s the right or wrong way to represent mental health,’” Tolchinsky said. “I think I want to show examples and ask questions like, ‘is it better to be accurate or is it better to spark interest?’”
The topics and course load may sound intimidating at first, but Tolchinsky adapted the class throughout the semester to make it manageable to his students, who were mainly upperclassmen advertising students who had never taken a screenwriting course prior. As the course continues, he does hope to attract more film and related majors to help build on their already existing skill set.
“My goal is to bring in more filmmakers and screenwriters, so as there’s more screenwriting, I assume we’ll get more,” Tolchinsky said. “Also, I think mental health has been on everyone’s minds, so I think I’d like to expand [the course]…as a dean it’s been both wonderful to teach this class because…I just wanted to know ‘What is it like to teach a class in the school?’ So, it gives me a sense of the students more and also [know] ‘what are the issues as a teacher.’”
While the class is based on understanding mental health in both television and film in particular, senior advertising student Ben Kim believes that the course can be applied to much more than just that career path.
“I learned so much more about mental health in this class and the diversity of material helped me to understand everyone is different in their own way,” Kim said.
“I plan on attending law school after graduation, and I hope to be able to use my knowledge on mental health in that area. I really believe that mental health is one of the most important things you can learn about, and this class made it incredibly easy to do so.”
Kim took the course because the title intrigued him and how he thought the subject area was easily applicable to other areas besides film and television.
“I think mental health can be scary, but when you allow yourself to be in a setting with others and discuss it, it becomes a lot more understandable,” Kim said.
When asked if he had any advice for future students, Kim said, “Take the class seriously, use it as a way to learn more about yourself, and enjoy the weekly movies. My personal favorites were ‘Mulholland Drive’ and ‘Aftersun.’”
For Kim, one of the best parts of the course was having Tolchinsky as a professor.
“Professor Tolchinsky was an incredible professor,” Kim said. “He was genuinely interested in the things we were learning and that was evident. I don’t think the class would have been the same without him and I hope for the sake of others he continues teaching it.”