Interview:

Wyatt Wakeman hails from Atlanta, Georgia. He wrote his first short stories at age nine – always about he and his best friend saving the two girls they both had crushes on from evil pirates. There was also a dog, but it never survived. At age fourteen he began acting, starring in several theater productions, doing commercials, then began seriously writing his senior year in high school. After moving to Los Angeles and graduating from USC – where he won the Edward W. Moses Fiction Contest – he transitioned to writing screenplays. Thirteen scripts later, in 2009, he entered his two best (Borderland and Minus Men) into twenty-two contests. Between the two, he has placed in or won fourteen contests. He is represented by Benderspink Management.

Is “BORDERLAND” your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

Borderland is my thirteenth script. I have written six thrillers (including an action-thriller and a horror-thriller), four action-adventures, and three comedies.

Why did you write BORDERLAND? And how long did it take you to write it?

I wrote Borderland because I didn’t yet have an indie in my repertoire, and thought it was time. It took me about four weeks to complete a first draft. It was the best time I’ve ever had writing a screenplay. I would liken it to sparring barehanded after some heavy lifting. In other words, not having to ask the audience to please take your characters seriously while they are running or shooting or dodging or being absurd was a surprisingly pleasant experience.

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

I begin far in advance of actually sitting down to write. I inspire myself. It’s pure fantasy and very exciting. I have a foolish grin on my face half the time, and people stare. Anything goes, and because it’s all in my mind, it’s perfect. Once I sit down, reality sets in, and I write in spurts – though fast – and do not adhere to any particular schedule, simply because at this point I’ll write every free moment I have. It’s like it’s unstoppable. Rewrites come after I hand over a first draft (w a polish) to a trusted few. Then it goes back out again for feedback. .

What inspires you to write?

The need to attempt what I sense hasn’t been done before. Thinking what they call “outside the box” helps me to feel there’s a point to all of this. Otherwise, I’m just another voice hiding behind tired themes. The idea that there is always more, always a way to cause wonder and inspire and leave your mark. Challenges. Make it hard and make it sound impossible. Give me the highest hurdle and I’ll break my shins getting over it.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Science, religion, and what’s commonly referred to as mythology – and when any of them overlap, whether fictionally or otherwise.
But what really gets me going, what I find the sexiest of sexiest, is excellence in any endeavor. Being the Best of the Best. The dedication, will, and passion it takes – that’s hot! I love Love For Something, in other words. I am passionate about pure, unadulterated, passion.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

I entered my two best scripts in twenty-three contests this year, spending around $3000, because I needed to know how my work stacked up against every one else’s in my position. I just needed an answer to the question, Should I keep doing this?
The Golden Brad Awards looked intriguing. And they offered a trophy! Or, as my girlfriend likes to call it (Rocky Blaboa voice): “A prize.”

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

Absolutely. They are 100% well worth the investment, but you should be pragmatic as to what you expect from them. If you’ve been writing a while, you may place high enough to get attention, or even win. If you haven’t been at it long, the contests that offer feedback (and most do) can be extremely valuable. The readers tend to work in the industry and have a decent, if not realistic, practical eye. Just keep in mind they don’t know everything, nor do you. What that translates to, I have no idea, and neither does anyone else.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

My favorite novelist, living, is Cormac McCarthy. Deceased, let’s say in the same genre, Jack London. Screenwriters – there are so many damn good ones out there. I’d have to say Andrew Kevin Walker, for giving us the magical SEVEN. But Shane Black and Scott Rosenberg gave me a lot, too. I actually knew Shane once upon a time. How’s that for a fledgling screenwriter to know the biggest writer in Hollywood at the time? I’ll tell you – bittersweet.

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

Know this: There are a lot of amazing, gifted, driven, connected writers competing for work out there. Their stories are amazing and original and they are scarily talented. So what are you going to do to set yourself apart and stand out? Think about this. You better believe it’s a reality.
Market. Your. Self. Like I said, it’s a business. Aside from honing your craft, from constantly improving and learning and WRITING SCRIPTS – you absolutely must get yourself out there. Contests are just one aspect of the marketing machine. Don’t stop. Most of us can have decent representation much earlier than we will – if we do not stop pushing, pushing, pushing to get ourselves read.

What’s next for you?

My management and I are going out with a big-budget spec I wrote (and also entered into the contest circuit) in 2010. Since I’ve written so many scripts, there’s plenty for us to do. I’d like to do some book adaptations and old movie re-imaginings, as well. As far as my next spec, I’m developing (once more, in that place in my mind where I’m grinning like a moron) a horror/thriller titled ASYLUM, a crazy-cool premise with a hook I guarantee you no one out there has ever seen before.