Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? I live in Richmond, Virginia, United States!
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? I’m so honored that Mug! stood out in this competition! What inspired me to write Mug! was my girlfriend who told me, “You write too many DARK and SERIOUS films. You should try writing a film with fun elements.” So I sat with that mindset for a little bit and looked at the mug sitting on my coffee table and then suddenly the idea came to me.
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? I LOVE using index cards/ post-it notes to write scripts. I’ll put them on my wall to outline story ideas and arcs and my friends often say I look like I’m hunting a serial killer. It took me about 2 months to write this screenplay and lots of rewrites and revisions to get it to a place where I feel happy. However, I was so in love with the story that I wrote a rough draft in a single afternoon. I’ll often try to sit with an idea for a while before actually writing it. If I’m still thinking about the idea weeks after first thinking about it and I’m still excited about it THEN I’ll start to put my fingers on the keyboard.
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? My ultimate ambition as a writer to to tell stories that challenge misconceptions. It’s easy for us to get trapped in our own little worlds and stuck in our ways of thinking. I try to break out of my comfort zone whenever I can and try to tackle difficult subjects.
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? My entry into The Wiki Screenplay Contest was a full script! I wanted feedback on everything and how it all flowed together.
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? I love the first two seasons of House of Cards! I personally love the writing is as we follow a powerful man hell-bend on getting revenge for not getting what he was promised. Using the political system, news, and sear power to get his way.
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? I had ZERO intention on winning a competition when I wrote this script! ZERO! I just wanted to continue improving as a writer and see how I could make this script the best it could be for when I direct it into a film later this year. Write what you want to write. Write what interests you. Write not to win but to get better than how you were yesterday. And hopefully people will naturally feel that love on the page.
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I just produced a feature called “Written by Mike” and I hope to direct this screenplay “Mug!” later this year.