Interview:
Although trained in science and medicine (B.S. mathematics, M.S. physics, M.D.), I’ve always longed to resume my youthful interest in writing and film.  It took me a while, but I’ve now carved out enough time to pursue a screenwriting career.

Is CANARIES your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

No. I’ve written 8 screenplays - 3 of the early ones didn’t pan out and 3 more were pretty good (placed in contests and/or had agents repping), but became obsolete by current events or other films that were too similar.  The remaining 2 scripts are my most recent and the two that made it into your finals, CANARIES and NIGHT OF REFLECTIONS.

Why did you write CANARIES?

 Frankly, so I could write the sequels.  I was interested in establishing a situation in which a village-sized group of people could be observed both in their interactions with each other, with a few other enclaves, and with various threats.  I.e. to simplify the world to hundreds of people rather than billions in order to examine the roots of human interaction.  That sounds a little pretentious as I write it, especially in light of how much of a pure thriller/drama this sci-fi script turned out to be, but it originally was motivated by my wanting to get the characters into the situation they find themselves at the end.

And how long did it take you to write it?

If you add up the actual hours I’ve spent on it through research and several complete revisions, if I’d spent them consecutively in 40-50 hour weeks it would be about 4 months.  But since I’ve put it away for several long stretches at a time because of my day job and other writing projects, I’ve been tinkering with it off and on for 3 years now. 

Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I use file cards (primitive storyboarding) to sequence all the major scenes from beginning to end before writing.  Then I write the first 10-15 pages, rewrite them a couple times, then on to the next 10-15 pages, etc.

What inspires you to write? 

Initially ideas, eventually deadlines.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? 

Doing my job professionally and keeping my family healthy and safe.  (Yeah, I wish I could say windsurfing and skydiving, but I’m a pretty buttoned-down guy.)

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest? 

Its emphasis on industry exposure over monetary awards, and the promise of feedback of high quality.

Do you feel that screenwriting contests are worthwhile for writers and why?

Yes, because it’s tough to break in with just a script and a smile.  A credit helps open doors.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

Joel Coen.  Economical, clever, funny.

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

 My big breakthrough came when I realized that I must have others read and criticize my work before sending it out, usually several times for several rewrites.  That giddy feeling you get when you finally type  FADE OUT on an early draft is so intoxicating that you want to share the script with the world immediately.  Well, share it with trusted writer/industry friends or coverage services first and remember that writing is rewriting.

What’s next for you? 

I’ve got the sequels to Canaries rattling around in my head along with a drama/thriller about money and family akin to A SIMPLE PLAN.  I’m still deciding which to tackle first.