During the discussion, all three guests unanimously agreed that the script is the heart and soul of a film. Dickson emphasised, “A film is made up of many elements, like sound and visuals, but what truly moves audiences is always the story.” He stressed that a director must understand the script thoroughly to effectively convey the story to the audience. Anselm added that strong communication skills are equally essential. “It’s all about collaboration. If you can’t express your vision clearly, it’s impossible to bring your ideas to life.”

They also shared their approaches to overcoming challenges in scriptwriting and communication. Anastasia mentioned, “Whenever I hit a creative block, I take a shower, and inspiration often comes naturally.” Anselm humorously added, “She showers, I sleep,” explaining that ideas often strike him when he wakes up, though they sometimes vanish as soon as he sits down to write. He also noted that to refine his plots, he often shares them with others and observes their reactions.: “If I sense they’re bored, I will rethink and adjust how I express the story.”

Dickson emphasised that a director must engage deeply with the script, stating, “As a director, you can’t just film someone else’s script as is. You need to ask questions like what the theme is, and why does the audience need it.” He acknowledged that creative differences with screenwriters and unexpected audience feedback are inevitable, but this unpredictability is what makes filmmaking exciting and rewarding.

Anselm Chan also recounted his experience working with Michael Hui, who had suggested turning the story into a comedy. Although Anselm initially disagreed, he chose to listen rather than reject the idea outright. After an open exchange of creative ideas, Hui agreed that staying true to the original story was the best approach. Anselm emphasised that effective communication starts with listening: “You must understand the other person’s perspective before finding a solution.”