Meet Tivoli Silas | Writer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tivoli Silas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tivoli, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Creating stories has always come naturally to me, so from a young age I had an interest in writing. However, I struggled with some aspects of writing early on, considering English my weakest subject. When I got to middle school, my mom transcribed summaries of some of my stories onto the computer, before I eventually typed them up on my own. These summaries, which are basically very long treatments, were my way of keeping me from forgetting these stories and important details before my writing skills were anywhere near a professional level. I still use this method so I can plan out my novel or screenplay in detail before starting the writing process in earnest. I was raised as a cinephile, watching Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the Marx Brothers, so I had an appreciation for early cinema from the start and I was amazed that many of my classmates, growing up, had never seen a silent film. However, things changed after I saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in theaters for the first time. Not only did I then start to follow the industry closely, becoming obsessed with seeing movies in theaters, but I also developed an interest in acting, partly inspired by that film’s child actors. But in high school, it suddenly occurred to me that actors have little control over the films outside of their performances. For the first time, directing seemed appealing. Previously, when I had thought of directing, it just seemed like too much responsibility. But by chance, the very next topic my English class covered was basic film terms and I fell in love with filmmaking.
When I attended the University of Florida for undergrad, I started as an exploratory major since I was also considering studying something along the lines of environmental science as well. However, I eventually dropped general chemistry my first semester, struggling in that class while thriving in an upper level film studies course, ironically on silent film. But since UF doesn’t have an official film major, and those courses were offered through the English department, I was technically an English major, despite only taking film studies, film production, and creative writing classes in that discipline. This concluded with my undergrad thesis, After Midnight, a 39-minute narrative short that I made with little help from the school. I had to borrow a camera from a friend and for several scenes, I was the only crew member. Through that process, I not only appreciated the importance of collaboration, but I realized just how much I loved filmmaking, as that was the only thing that kept me going through the process. After graduating and making two more short films in Florida, I moved to LA for the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA before earning my MFA in Film Directing at Chapman University, where I graduated last summer. I also had to complete graduate school while commuting to Orange from Los Angeles.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an artist who writes in multiple genres, though if I had to narrow it down, I tend to concentrate on drama, sci-fi and fantasy. Coincidentally, my graduate school films cover all these categories. I would describe myself as a proficient, but as of yet unpublished writer, though I hope this changes soon. So far, I’ve completed first drafts of fifteen feature screenplays, four novels, and two pilots. I definitely take my time in planning, sometimes spending years just working on the summary for a project. I consider myself a binge writer, as I tend to write often in short spurts rather than little by little over a longer period of time. For instance, I may not write for a while, then write at least 60,000 words in two weeks. I try to only write once I’m in a creative flow state, especially for the first drafts, as it becomes easier and I feel my work turns out better. This can be challenging, especially when it seems I’m spending more time watching things to gather inspiration for a project than actually writing, especially as my free time is becoming increasingly limited. If writing didn’t come so easily for me, I wouldn’t have achieved all that I have so far. By writing in both literature and screenplay formats, I am essentially pursuing two careers. I appreciate the freedom each medium affords, with literature allowing greater attention to detail and the ability to know a character’s thoughts. In the book series I’m working on I find more creative control and greater freedom to tell a more complete story than can be conveyed in film or on television. I also enjoy writing loose adaptations of short, public domain work, especially fairy tales, which I’ve always found incredibly fun and rewarding. I have honed my skills in augmenting short stories into feature-length screenplays, and although it can be a challenging ability to master, it comes pretty naturally to me. I’m even working on feature screenplay adaptations for two of my pre-grad school short films.
One important aspect in much of my work is my Christian faith. I have little interest in strictly faith-based media, as I believe tailoring to just that single audience is too limiting. Instead, I am interested in making what I like to call “secular faith-based” films and novels. The Chronicles of Narnia are a good example, since they appeal to a wide, secular audience, while including spiritual themes that also resonate with Christian viewers. I’m a writer who enjoys weaving thematic complexity in my stories and dialogue while adding multiple layers to my characters, plot and themes. My last two graduate films, Spoonful of Sugar and Abducted and Alone, both fall into this category. The latter was a sci-fi space film with what my professor said was the most impressive set in Chapman’s recent history, and it’s currently in post-production. For me, this isn’t just a career, it’s a calling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place I’ve taken friends and family in the past is the Fern Dell. It’s a lovely little area in Griffith Park that allows for a short, relaxing walk where we could catch up. Elsewhere in Griffith Park, I’d probably take them to Bronson Canyon and Travel Town, if they enjoy trains. If they’re here on a Sunday, I’d take them to the Los Angles Live Steamers Railroad and, if they’re here on the right Sunday, to the Walt Disney Barn. Lake Balboa is also a pleasant place to walk and chat. I tend to like to share quaint little places and trails with my friends or relatives. The Skirball and Autry Museums are both worth visiting. I’ve yet to see the inside of the Gamble House myself, but as a Back to the Future fan and an architect’s daughter, I’d at least show them the outside if we’re in the Pasadena area. If they’d like to see the beach, I’d take them to the lively Santa Monica Pier or the quiet Hermosa Beach, depending on what mood they’re in. If they’re into shopping, I’d take them to the Knott’s Marketplace and also possibly the Grove and Universal Citywalk. As a former employee, I would definitely recommend they go to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, even if I don’t go with them, and provide my personal recommendations and tips. As for dinner, my go-to is probably Carney’s, but other options would include NoHo Diner, Coral Café and Pinocchio’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As mentioned before, I’d have to give a lot of credit to The Chronicles of Narnia film series. It has had a profound impact on my life. And I’m grateful to have had the honor of thanking, in person, some of the people involved in the films. I first met actor William Moseley, and recently met composer Harry Gregson-Williams at a Chapman Master Class. Last spring, I interned at Walden Media, the production company that made the films, and while I was there, I happened to meet producer Mark Johnson.

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