Reassuring To See More Women Behind The Camera: Screenwriter Mayanka Goel

Mumbai-born Mayanka Goel grew up listening to all things cinema. Belonging to a family of screenwriters and filmmakers, she was deeply influenced by the craft of filmmaking. Her father, who wrote blockbusters like Soldier, Aitraaz and Baadshah, played an instrumental role in helping Mayanka understand the craft of screenwriting.

From writing features for major publications to working for an advertising agency where she wrote commercials for several popular brands, Mayanka took significant steps into the magnificent world of filmmaking. She moved to New York amidst the pandemic after gaining a scholarship from the  NYU Tisch School of the Arts and earned the opportunity of studying under renowned writers.

Her portfolio also includes working as Showrunner’s Assistant at Nickelodeon on season 1 of Erin & Aaron. She is now on a journey to write and create more and has some important projects up her sleeve.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Mayanka Goel talks about her career in writing and filmmaking, her aspiration to become a showrunner, her new lineup of work including a Webtoon, and why she believes scripting is the most essential element in storytelling.

Mayanka Goel Interview

You grew up with dinner table conversations around films. Was it where the inspiration to become a filmmaker stemmed?

That’s where the desire to write stories stemmed. That was the first profession I was introduced to, and the idea stuck. I saw my parents read a lot while growing up, and the habit passed on. Eventually, I started writing fictional stories for online teenage forums and when people began to respond to those, I knew this is what I wanted to keep doing.

What were the challenges breaking into the entertainment world initially, and what are the kind of challenges you face now

Breaking into this world is in itself a big challenge. I was lucky to get internships and freelance work at film production and theatre companies while I was still in college. This helped me get my foot in the door in India and learn the basics of the business. It further helped me get into reputable institutions like SCMSophia where renowned writers like Jerry Pinto (2016 Windham Campbell-prize winner, 2016 Sahitya Akademi Award winner) teach, and later NYU Tisch School of the Arts. So, while the challenges never stopped, I got better equipped to handle them. Currently, the challenges are growing in scale but I feel more confident about overcoming them. I’m working on multiple projects and the discipline to give each enough time while being patient with myself is hard to achieve.

How was the experience studying under renowned writers like Charlie Rubin and Sabrina Dhawan and working as  Showrunner’s Assistant at Nickelodeon on 'Erin & Aaron'?

My professors have been extremely generous with their time and attention, and it was incredible to study under them. I was in Charlie’s TV class where we wrote two pilot episodes over a period of three months which is a very short timeline. But Charlie made it fun and turned the entire process into one of my most educational experiences. He also told us stories about his time writing on shows like Seinfeld and Law & Order and it was amazing to know more about the fictional worlds I grew up watching. He’s also a legend in the TV industry. So many people I admire in LA studied under him, and I feel lucky to be one of them.

Sabrina was my screenwriting teacher; some of the most valuable lessons I still repeat to myself daily come from her. She taught me the basics of screenwriting and gave me the freedom to explore every idea I had. She’s an inspiration in all that she has achieved. Her range and discipline are qualities I will always aspire to.

Season 1 of Erin & Aaron has been a dream. I found the most ideal job when most people around me were struggling to find any work. I aspire to be a Showrunner myself one day, and my employers helped me feed that dream every day of production.

They taught me what goes into creating a show from scratch and answered every question I had. I found friends here that I know I’m going to be working with for a long time in the future.

Please tell me more about the Rickshaw x South Asian Writers Committee Mentorship Program.

The Rickshaw x South Asian Writers Committee program is a 12-week program where selected applicants are paired with mentors from the Writers Guild of America. The applicants develop their script while receiving insight and guidance from their mentors, and eventually get ready to pitch it to production companies and studios. We also have weekly Writer’s Room meetings where we discuss each other’s works. I’m part of an amazing group of participants who are each on their way to becoming amazing filmmakers.

How has digitalisation impacted your growth as a creator despite the flip side of social media?

Social media has helped me explore other avenues for my work. Scripts aren’t necessarily the easiest medium to consume. When you’re a musician or an artist, you are able to create your art completely by yourself and present it to the world. Scripts are the first (and arguably the most important) step of a long process. Most people who watch shows and movies never read the scripts that made them possible. With digitisation, I’ve been able to use other mediums to tell stories. I am an artist and draw cartoons and comics on the side, while I write my scripts.

As someone who has worked here in India and in the US, how has your experience been if we talk about bridging the gap between content being created and how it is received in this fast-changing world? 

I have worked in India and the US, and I consume content from all over the world, including Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Spain etc. At NYU, I was in a class with writers from the US, the UK, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. We all wrote stories that reflected unique cultures and upbringings. And every story resonated. Creators are creating personal stories, and people from different backgrounds are able to connect with them because the foundations are still universal. That’s why a tweet that goes viral in Ireland is equally funny to people in America or India. People are also becoming more and more comfortable with subtitles and dubbing, which opens even more avenues.

What has impacted your growth most as a storyteller?

The support from my family has made everything possible – from writing in India to moving to a different country mid-pandemic all by myself to study further. My father and I have had tough times, but his support for my ambitions has never wavered, and his faith keeps me confident. I’m free to grow because I know I don’t have to worry about falling back.

Any projects you’re working on that you wish to share with us?

I’m currently working on a horror feature with an independent American producer, which I’m excited about. I’m also working on a Webtoon based on a romantic-comedy script I developed at NYU. Moreover, I’m looking forward to working more with my current employers at Nickelodeon in the coming year.

What changes have you seen in how entertainment industries are giving women an equal platform in front of the camera and behind it?

I’m seeing women in every kind of role around me – Writing, Producing, Camera, and even stunts. The show I’m on currently is helmed mostly by women. It’s inspiring to watch and reassuring as well.

What is your one piece of advice for aspiring writers, filmmakers?

My best advice is what I have to tell myself every day: Keep writing and creating. Rejection is part of the job and is something even the most successful creators experience.

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