Interview:

Matt Toomey is a software engineer by day, and a husband, father, socialist, screenwriter, and sleep enthusiast by night. Matt’s also written sketches for comedy troupes in S.F., L.A., and NYC and his short, “Remise a voiture Comique de cirque” (Garage Clowns), just finished shooting and is currently in post-production being readied for a festival circuit run. "Garage Clowns" was directed by Patrick Biesemans and produced by Michael J. Stewart.


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

OCHO is my fourth feature length script, and I've since written a fifth, a men's slow pitch softball comedy titled "Foul Balls."  I've written a number of short film scripts as well as comedy sketches for live performance. I'm also writing a book about the non-stop, wild and crazy, 24/7, party lifestyle that all screenwriters enjoy. It’s called “Bitches, Riches, Bacardi, and Loglines.”

Why did you write "OCHO? And how long did it take you to write it?

I thought the idea of a man with poor decision making skills relying on a magic eight ball to make life changing decisions had a lot of comedic promise. It took 6 months and numerous drafts before I scrapped that and started the page 1 rewrite that was entered into the Movie Script Contest.  

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

I use an outline process very similar to what Blake Snyder (R.I.P.) recommends in "Save The Cat." I've also tried the sequencing method but it makes my head hurt and burns when I pee.

What inspires you to write?

You mean the late nights, re-writes, and rejections aren't enough?  Actually, I think most screenwriters are inspired by the dream of seeing their work on the big screen (and asking for small bills at the bank when cashing that six figure check).

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favorite things.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

There are a billion screenplay contests out there and many of them offer prize money, books, software, conference passes, etc. That's all peaches and cream, but rather than prizes I'd gladly take a kick in the nuts if that meant my winning script would be read by managers, agents, and producers. That's what the Golden Brad Awards offers (minus the kick in the nuts, thankfully) that many contests don't. 

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

Depends on the contest. Again, if the contest has the potential to get your script read by managers and agents, then it's worthwhile.  If you're entering the contest solely for the $500 prize money or for the Limited Edition Director's Cut Laserdisc version of Waterworld, then you're probably wasting your time. 

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

I like writers who make me laugh. They may not be writing Oscar worthy scripts, but they consistently put out hilarious work. Adam McKay, Todd Phillips, the Farrelly brothers, and Judd Apatow to name a few.

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

Read the scripts of your favorite films (unless your favorite films are Michael Bay flicks, in that case you should stop writing), you can learn a lot from them. Also, stick to one genre!  Some will disagree with me, but if you're a comedy writer you should focus on comedy. If you're a thriller/suspense writer, stick with thriller/suspense. You don't see Judd Apatow getting hired to write a coming of age period piece about poverty and lost innocence in 1700's England.  Nor is Rob Zombie going to write a romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock. 

What’s next for you?

Querying the hell out of my two recent spec scripts in hope of finding a manager. I will email, call, stalk, and hang around outside their kids’ bar mitzvahs, birthday parties and quinceaneras until I finally wear one of them down enough and they agree to represent me.