TheScandalandGrey’s Anatomycreator is following in the footsteps of other luminaries, including asAaron SorkinandWerner Herzog.
SHONDA RHIMES:[Laughs.]
No… that’s hilarious.
Considering how busy you clearly are, why did you want to take this on?
First of all, as a child of professors, teaching is something I always wanted to do.
But more importantly, I thought this was something that seemed really cool because it was an equalizer.
At one point you were a writer struggling to get noticed in the industry.
Is this your way to reach out to those who are now in that position?
Can you further explain your philosophy on that?
Well, you’re either a writer or you’re not a writer.
But really, like truly, you’re a writer or you’re not a writer.
And for me, a writer is somebody who writes every day.
And I think it’s that simple, truly in that way.
Give yourself that definition of yourself and then do it.
And if you don’t do it, then you’re not a writer, and that’s okay.
You’re either a working writer or a nonworking writer, but you’re not an aspiring writer.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned onGrey’sorScandalthat you would like to impart to your students?
I think you have to take the class.
I really don’t think there’s anything I could say that would be like a sentence or anything.
All of those things were things that I just had no experience with.
And just talk about the process; teaching people the process is very important.
You have so many shows on the air right now.
What makes now such an exciting and ideal time to be a television writer?
There’s so much opportunity now.
There are so many places to put your product.
I hate to call it a product, but it is.
Aaron Sorkin previously taught a MasterClass on screenwriting.
There is a lot to be said for what he did and knowing that he did his.
I can tell you right now there’s two people.
One is Beyonce, obviously.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to take a class in…
I don’t know, fierceness, fabulousness, dancing.
And the other one, I think would probably be a grouping.
I think that would probably be the greatest class in the world.
That would be fascinating.
You should pitch that for the next course.
it’s possible for you to sign up for Rhimes' course onMasterClass.
Watch the video above for a preview of what to expect.
