For many regular television viewers, Thursday night at 8 p.m. is a time to sit around the t.v. with their "Friends" -- Ross, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe, Rachel and Monica. The hit television series "Friends" is the creation of two buddies from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. Kauffman, a 1974 graduate of Marple Newtown, a suburban Philadelphia high school, returned to her alma mater last month as an honored alumnus to give graduating seniors some words of wisdom. She spoke of her own experiences as a writer and offered encouragement to the graduates on pursuing their own dreams. Kauffman urged the seniors to accept encouragement rather than focus on the "criticisms and the negative support [which we remember] for the rest of our lives." Her message carried a universal reminder that students must "follow their dreams." Kauffman overcame many obstacles in the pursuit of her dreams, including disagreements with her mother over career choice, according to a recent article in Philadelphia Magazine. Like many college graduates, Kauffman struggled to find success. As recently as seven years ago she and partner, Crane, worked together in New York making about $18,000 a year writing, prior to their big break with the creation of "Dream On." When pitching show ideas, Kauffman said that she and Crane had given their script to the renowned producer Norman Lear, who returned their work calling it "superficial and shallow." Kauffman said she always persevered in the face of criticism and discouragement. She explained she was discouraged from being a writer early on. "In twelfth grade I had a teacher who wrote on a paper of mine that I was the least perceptive student she'd ever had and I'd never be a writer," she explained. However, her interest in writing did not wane, even though she entered Brandeis University the next fall as an aspiring actress. Kauffman said she soon made the switch to a behind-the-scenes role as a writer because "there were not enough shows for undergraduates to act in." Kauffman and Crane met at the school and collaborated to write their first musical soon after. "[Writing] was much more fun," she said. "It was less insecure and you could correct things more easily." Kauffman describes her relationship with her partner and friend as "a kind of marriage." "We complement each other," she explained. "We do everything together. We argue every word together." Kauffman pointed out that despite the fact that neither she nor Crane are single, they found that their portrayals of singles were successful. The team's two series, "Dream On: and the ever-popular "Friends," and their off-Broadway comedy "Personals" all depict the lives of single people. And Kauffman said the two series the team wrote which had non-single characters were both unsuccessful. "Writing about dating is much more fun. There's so much you can do with dating," she said. "For me when [the characters] are married it limits what the story can be about." Kauffman said although she and Crane will never forget their failures and criticism, they have learned to believe in themselves. "It took me two hit t.v. shows, many more failures , and twenty-one years before I could call myself a writer and believe it," she said. With some "friendly" advice, Kauffman encouraged the students to pursue their dreams, despite the criticisms they may face. "To hell with anyone who tells you you can't achieve your dreams," she added.
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