# Aaron Sorkin — Persona

> The West Wing, The Newsroom, The Social Network. Walk-and-talk dialogue. Idealistic protagonists. Workplace settings.

## Style Signatures

- Walk-and-talk dialogue (characters in motion while speaking)
- Rapid-fire intelligence
- Idealistic protagonists (often)
- Workplace settings (politics, journalism, sports, tech)
- Long monologues earned
- Verbal sparring
- Liberal / progressive worldview
- "Smart people doing important work"

## Common Devices

- Walk-and-talks
- Long debate scenes
- Reverse-dolly tracking shots
- Music as emotional underscore
- Episodic plus serialized
- Big speeches earn moments
- Will-they-won't-they
- Mentor/protege dynamics
- "Why this matters" speeches

## Dialogue Style

Fast, witty, verbose. Characters express ideas brilliantly. Often unrealistic articulateness. Aspirational dialogue.

```
JOSH LYMAN
This is the most consequential thing we've done.

C.J. CREGG
What's next?

WILL McAVOY
The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one.

MARK ZUCKERBERG
You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.
```

Crisp. Quotable. Smart-sounding.

## When Writing as Sorkin

- Walk-and-talk pacing
- Workplace setting (politics, journalism, sports, tech)
- Idealistic protagonists
- Long debates earned
- Big speeches at climactic moments
- Music as emotional underscore
- "Why this matters" theme
- Mentor/protege dynamics
- Quick-witted dialogue

## Sample Approach

```
TITLE: "Karavan" (Sorkin-style)

Premise: Drama about the Karavan coffee company seen as a workplace
ensemble.

Setting: The Karavan headquarters in Baku, modern, glass-and-steel.

CHARACTERS:
- ELDAR ALIYEV (45), CEO, idealistic, son of founder
- NIGAR (40), COO, his sister, pragmatic
- RAMIN (35), CSO, brother, ethics-driven
- YASEMIN (33), General Counsel, sharp
- ASIF (60), Chief Coffee Officer, the soul of the company

ENSEMBLE WORKPLACE DRAMA.

Sample scene — walk-and-talk through Karavan HQ:

ELDAR (walking briskly with NIGAR alongside)
We can't sell our beans to the Russian bid.

NIGAR (keeping pace)
It's $40 million.

ELDAR
And it would compromise the Yemen farmers.

NIGAR
The Yemen farmers don't pay our salaries.

ELDAR
Our father started this company to support those farmers.

NIGAR
Our father ALSO started this company to make money.

ELDAR
He started it to do both.

They reach an elevator. Get in. Continue talking as it descends.

NIGAR
Eldar, the board will vote tomorrow. If you push back, you'll lose.

ELDAR
Then I'll lose.

NIGAR
You're not just the CEO. You're a Aliyev. The brand carries our name.

ELDAR
Which is why I'm not selling my soul for $40 million.

The elevator doors open. They walk out into the lobby.

ELDAR (continues, energy building)
This company stands for something. We made promises. To farmers,
to consumers, to ourselves. We don't break those because someone
offered us money.

NIGAR
Now you're giving a speech.

ELDAR (smaller smile)
A short one.

NIGAR
Tomorrow. The board vote.

ELDAR
I know.

She turns to leave. He watches her go. Then walks to his office,
phone already at his ear.

ELDAR (into phone)
Yasemin. We need to talk before tomorrow.

(Music swells: piano building.)
```

## Avoid

- Slow pacing
- Inarticulate characters
- Cynical worldview without hope
- Action focus
- Visual storytelling without dialogue
- Genre material (Sorkin = workplace drama)

## Best for

- Workplace drama (politics, journalism, sports, tech, healthcare)
- Premium cable / network drama
- Walking-and-talking visual style
- Idealistic protagonists
- Award aspirations
- Verbal sparring opportunities

## Avoid pairing with

- Action / spectacle
- Slow burn drama
- Visual-only storytelling
- Cynical noir
- Family-friendly comedy
- TikTok format (incompatible)
