PROFILES IN MENTORING

Valerie Alexander

Occupation: Screenwriter  
Years with YSF: 6
Most recent school: Laurel Elementary
Favorite Movie: An Officer and a Gentleman
Favorite Book (or book recommendation): Notre Dame vs. the Klan: The true story of how the Fighting Irish defeated the Ku Klux Klan
Name of your favorite teacher growing up: Lee Kelly
Why do you mentor?: It’s the only hour in my week of 100% purity. There’s no hidden agendas, no false promises, just ten really great kids and ten incredible mentors, and I like hanging out with that crowd.
What was the last script you mentored? What was it about?: I’ve been head mentoring for a while, so don’t have a recent script I mentored.
Is there a moment that stands out to you in your experience as a mentor?: The actor in a Big Show who took a diving slide across the grand piano and then ate his shoe. I love that level of commitment. We always tell the writers not to self-censor just because something seems impossible to act out, because the actors can pull off anything, and 100% of the time, they do.
What would you tell others about YSF?: ? It is the easiest volunteer commitment you’ll ever make and the most rewarding. There’s absolutely no downside. Plus, you are creating an experience for these writers that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
How does YSF affect you, and how do you think it affects other mentors?: YSF definitely makes me more creative. I think it keeps all of us mentors in touch with basic, simple storytelling and with how easy it is to make something funny just by keeping it real.  
Mentoring advice or trick of the trade: Never tell a writer no. There is nothing in this program that can’t be done, so just let it happen naturally. Also, I once had a mentor who called me to tell me she couldn’t come to the session that day because her boyfriend just broke up with her and it would be too hard. After I reminded her about responsibility, commitment, etc., I also told her that nothing would get her out of her lousy mood like working with her writer.  She came, and later told me that that day literally saved her life. I won’t go into further details, but suffice to say, when we mentor, we get far more than we give.