Screenwriter Noa Guskow Reflects on Her Journey from Editing to Original TV Creation

Noa Guskow, a versatile Israeli screenwriter, recently shared insights into her extensive career in television during an interview on the podcast "Cinema Shuot" hosted by Avi Ludmir. Guskow’s path to original content creation was gradual, beginning as an editor and dialogue writer before advancing to plot development and directing second units. She credits her early work on the documentary series "Mechubarim" for teaching her how to craft drama from vast raw material.

Guskow’s career breakthrough came when she was invited to collaborate with writer Said Kashua, which led to further opportunities including writing dialogue for the series "New York" and later "Pulmon." A significant mentorship with screenwriter Michal Cooper-Keren helped her master the structure and dramatic arc of television episodes. She also contributed to the popular series "Palmach," writing half the first season’s dialogue and directing second unit scenes, with the show gaining wide family viewership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her current original project, "Sada," co-created with Michal Aharoni and Samira Saria, evolved from an initial pitch about an Arab woman inheriting her husband’s family business. After years of development and moving from Keshet to the Kan 33 channel, the series reflects a collaborative process with director Ariel Benbaji, who Guskow praises for his supportive approach. Despite her experience, Guskow admits the start of any writing project remains daunting and encourages young writers to embrace imperfect first drafts.

Currently, she is finishing a youth thriller series with Yonatan Bar Ilan, developing a feature film through the Sam Spiegel international incubator, and preparing for a pitch at the Venice Festival. Ultimately, Guskow’s dream is to direct her own feature film, marking a personal milestone after years of writing for others.