Letters to Aaron Sorkin

Dear Aaron Sorkin,

I don’t know much about your work as a writer.  I’d never seen The West Wing, I missed Sports Night and Studio 60, never saw your films or your plays on Broadway.  I don’t know anything about your personal life except for what’s on IMDb.  I am not a member of your Facebook group. I am, however, newly enchanted with your writing.

Recently I chanced across an episode of The West Wing (the one where C.J. does The Jackal), and decided to rent the first season. I’ve never been a big watcher of television; I’ve always felt that I should be out doing instead of sitting around watching, but The West Wing makes every moment on my couch feel well spent. I know I’m showing up to the party very late, but I’m an enthusiastic attendee. 

I’m knee deep into season three now, and am astounded to be hooked on a series that had an entire episode centered on a filibuster. Who wants to watch a show about filibusters?  I do.  And here’s why:

1. It’s not really about filibusters.  I mean, it is. It’s a politics show that delves into controversial, important issues. And it’s a smart show with big, complex ideas. But at the end of the day, it’s about people and decisions.

2. The Characters. Imperfect, passionate, specific. I like Josh’s backpack, Mrs. Landingham’s cookies, Toby’s sheepish glances, The President’s unprompted history lessons, and Joey’s sense of humor.  Though they work in a world unfamiliar to me, I get them.

3. The Consequences. Stuff that happened in the first season still matters in the third. I love that.

4. The Acting. I partly watch the action of the show unfold, and partly watch the choices of the actors. The cast was tremendous, and you let them be so. As John Spencer said in his Emmy speech, “An actor is only as good as the material he gets, and we are given gold week after week.”

As an actor, I am on a quest for gold. I am also working to be prepared for the gold once I find it.  I’ve been in Los Angeles for two years, and during this time my goal has become very clear: to be a series regular on a character-driven show with excellent writing on a happy set. I am working towards this goal, and when I picture it in my head, it looks something like The West Wing. Thank you for providing a lighthouse in a career that doesn’t have a clearly charted course. I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but at least I know which way to point the boat.

Best,

Laura