Sorkin Says Directing Gaps Are Hard to Learn
The screenwriter admits he lacks visual instinct after his Facebook film earned $15 million.
By Kwame Silva ·
Aaron Sorkin says the hardest parts of directing are the ones that cannot be taught. Speaking at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the 65-year-old writer expressed concern that his weaknesses lie in areas that rely on innate talent rather than technical skill. He received the festival's Maverick Director Award for The Social Reckoning, a film he wrote and directed.
The movie, which explores Facebook's knowledge of its harmful effects on society, was released nationwide by Sony on October 9. It grossed $15 million worldwide. Critics responded with mixed reviews, giving the film a 54 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The production cost $40 million.
Sorkin noted that he was not his first choice to direct the project. He preferred David Fincher, who directed the 2010 film The Social Network, but Fincher holds an exclusive deal with Netflix. Sony owned the rights to The Social Reckoning, placing Sorkin behind the camera. The film stars Mikey Madison as a whistleblower, Jeremy Allen White as a journalist, and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg.
The screenwriter has been writing for 35 years. His credits include A Few Good Men, The American President, Charlie Wilson's War, The Social Network, Moneyball, Steve Jobs, Molly's Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Being the Ricardos. He won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for The Social Network. He also wrote all episodes of the first four seasons of The West Wing.
Sorkin has directed four features over the past decade. He acknowledged that the learning curve was steeper than he expected, particularly regarding camera usage. He stated, "I was surprised by how little of the science of filmmaking I'd managed to absorb." He added, "I have no visual sensibility, it turns out."
He compared his experience to football coaches who insist the ingredients for a win were present but did not come together. Sorkin said he feels he is doing things right but needs another opportunity to combine them effectively. He emphasized that he is not done wanting to work with great directors, though he has learned from collaborating with Rob Reiner, Bennett Miller, Mike Nichols, and Danny Boyle.
In a separate discussion, Sorkin addressed the possibility of reviving The West Wing. He said he misses the show and the cast but noted that the characters have aged. He also commented on the state of mid-budget movies, stating that most of his previous works would likely be streaming series today rather than theatrical releases. A new Lincoln Center production of his play A Few Good Men is currently running, which he is rewriting.
Sorkin reflected on his career and the specific challenges of visual storytelling. He remains focused on the craft despite the reception of his latest film. The discussion took place during an interview for The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast.
