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Monday's Connector: Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin is one of Hollywood's most celebrated and critically acclaimed screenwriters and producers.
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caption="Aaron Sorkin is your Connector of the Day"]
The man behind some of the world's most ubiquitous political dramas including "A Few Good Men" and the "American President", Sorkin is also well known for his work as the creator of the "West Wing."
Sorkin who attended Syracuse University in 1979, initially wanted to train and work as an actor, but after an early setback, Sorkin decided that screenwriting would be the path to take.
After a few off broadway plays, Sorkin's first big hit was with a military drama called "A Few Good Man" which debuted to rave reviews on Broadway.
Sorkin went on to sell the film rights to the play and in 1992 the story was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
But perhaps Sorkin's biggest hit was with the television drama called the "West Wing" which chronicled the life of a fictional U.S. president.
The show ran from 1999 to 2006 and won a total of 27 Emmy awards and three Golden Globes.
In 2006, Sorkin returned to television with the NBC series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." Despite receiving critical praise, the show was only on air for one season.
Today though, Sorkin is out with a highly anticipated film called the "Social Network" which tracks the early beginnings of the billion dollar company, Facebook.
The film has already earned high praise and is being touted as an early Oscar contender. The movie also opened at number one in the U.S. box office this past weekend.
On Twitter
Hello Aaron Benjamin Sorkin and CNN friends,
I would like an answer from Aaron Benjamin Sorkin on the following questions:
– Why is your latest work called the Social Network instead of Facebook the movie?
– When will write and or produces a movie about Connect the World?
– What can we expect from you in 2010?
I am awaiting Aaron Benjamin Sorkin’s replies.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
Hello Aaron Benjamin Sorkin and CNN friends,
I would like an answer from Aaron Benjamin Sorkin on the following questions:
– Why is your latest work called the Social Network instead of Facebook the movie?
– When will you write and or produces a movie about Connect the World?
– What can we expect from you in 2010?
I am awaiting Aaron Benjamin Sorkin’s replies.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
Mr. Sorkin,
Do you think we learn more from our successes or our failures?
Is there any advice you wish someone had given you at the beginning of your writing career?
What, if anything, scares you the most about our increasingly connected world?
Thanks for your time and thoughts,
Grace in New York
Hello Aaron,
Sorry in advance for such a broad question, but what is your advice for turning a true and extremely complex story into a compelling feature? FYI I saw "The Social Network" and loved it – especially for it's quiet nuances. You deserve an Oscar for the screenplay.
Thanks!
Andrea in Brooklyn
Dear Aaron
firstly, i just wanted to say that "west wing" has imapcted so many of us here in the arab world by providing us with a rare window on the internal American politics and gave us a clear understanding of how the greatest Democartic system in the world works, so please accept our gratitude.
my question is:
how did you come up with the "west wing" idea? and why did you stop writing for the series after the fourth series?...the difference in the story line was highly notable.
thank you
Hakim
a syrian residing in UAE
Why? The only thing I can imagine being more of a waste of time than Facebook is a movie ABOUT Facebook. Or Twitter.
To Kevin Quail,
Small minded man, were you to have seen the film you would know that it is not a movie about Facebook but rather a character study of the world's youngest billionaire and the relationships that define him. Ever heard of the American Dream? Clearly you prefer to spend your time wasting it on hateful commentary than on actual fact. Get a life.
To Aaron,
Sorry you had to waste your time reading Kevin's comment.
Best,
Andrea in Brooklyn
Mr Aaron,How can 1 put a true life story into a script?
Kudos to u keep doin wat u know best doin. But if i may ask wat is d film goin 2 look like i mean d theme & wat can we (public) benefit frm d film.
Aaron, I just read your profile for the 1st time and I'm hugely impressed. Alongside Fox's 24, the West Wing is in my opinion, the best ever television drama series produced anywhere in the world. Looking forward to seeing Social Network soonest. Thumbs up, Aaron.
how could screen writers support moralities,principal values and common human principals at their work.
how could the screen writers must call for respect,co-operation and peaceful deal between all nations,faiths at our recent world.
how much of the social network was true? How much creative license did you take?
Future connector aaron sorkin.. I like it 🙂