“The creative adult is the child who survived.”
Forever one of our favourite quotes, it perfectly captures the personality of the Toronto-based screenwriter and musician, Marushka Jessica Almeida.
A third culture kid, born in Bahrain and bred in India – Marushka was on her way to becoming a South Asian’s parents’ dream – a chartered accountant. However, taking a series of interesting leaps, she successfully moved from corporate to creative and is now in “development hell” with her dark comedy half-hour series ‘Tendencies’ and her digital IPF funded series ‘Get Up, Aisha’. Here’s what she has to say:
What can you tell us about your upcoming project – writing for Get Up Aisha?
It’s a dream and a nightmare all at the same time. We have a very tight turnaround and we spend night after night pulling teeth to make sure that the story is authentic for the character and for her journey with depression. We find out in a couple of months — if the show has been picked up for the season so fingers crossed!
You were previously a resident of Bahrain. How long did you live here and would you say that the experience of being raised in the Middle East has contributed to your creative side?
I was born in Bahrain and lived there for a little more than twenty years before moving to Mumbai and eventually Toronto. I think that every environment and every experience plays a part in the creative psyche. So, growing up in Bahrain definitely did.
It’s quite interesting that you made the shift from being a Chartered Accountant to being a creative writer. What made you take the leap of faith?
It wasn’t so much a leap of faith as it was a belly flop into the abyss. Honestly, accounting was/is boring (to me!) Don’t hate me, accountants! I couldn’t see myself doing that 9-5 for the rest of my life. Once I figured out what I didn’t want to do — the rest came easy.
Have you always wanted to pursue a career in creative writing for the TV and Film industry?
No, I didn’t. Not at all, actually. I’ve always been interested in many things. I wanted to work in the music business. I’m interested in sociology and human behavior. My entire career up until this point was about figuring out what I didn’t want to do. Writing for TV came to be by absolute chance and for now… I’m enjoying it.
What path did you take to being a creative writer? How did you manage to break into the scene?
I did a postgrad degree in TV and Film Writing at Humber College in Toronto. I was really lucky with breaking in — I pitched an idea for a half-hour TV show to a high-ranking executive and she loved the idea. She became my fairy godmother and introduced me to many people including my literary agent and work mom — Sohrab Merchant.
Could you tell us a bit about your past projects? Which would you consider your most exciting project to date?
I write half-hour dark comedies/dramedies that usually feature South Asian women in unconventional situations. In a phrase, I find tragedy and death fascinating and I usually try to put a comedic spin on it -because life is a mixture of both. (I’m not insane, I swear…just morbid) I don’t know if I have a ‘most exciting project’ since they’re all so different – it’s a bit like picking a favorite child so I will be diplomatic and say…I hate them all.
How about those pursuing a writing career in the film industry?
Be wary of the people who’ll constantly be pitching their ‘very interesting’ lives that you just have to make a movie on. All kidding aside, be prepared for rejection and criticism. It’s nothing personal and it’s just a part of the game.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced to date?
PROCRASTINATION. Writing is hard and it’s even harder when the Office is on Netflix.
Any plans of ever working on a project centered around Bahrain?
Yes! I have this idea for a horror-comedy taking place in those cool eerie caves right by the Tree of Life. The one place that I always visit when I come to Bahrain.
What would be your advice to people making a career shift?
This is probably not the coolest answer but the accountant in me recommends — ‘Always hedging your bets’. Make sure you have something to fall back on, just in case.
