WRITER PROFILE
It’s always great to get together with a large group of writers and investors and keep up to date on what’s new, the screenplay contest, any recent deals, new dealmaker contacts, agents or managers that are looking and simply encouraging everyone to keep going after every dream in this difficult industry. For the hard working writer we want to do as much as we can to continue the exposure and word of mouth in the investment circles of the industry. Another way we do this is with writer interviews that we send far and wide and showcase at all possible meetings and markets.
We want to encourage your writing spirit, motivate you and again give you the accolades you so deserve.
THE COMEDY CLUB
Written by Ranney
What motivated you to become a writer?
As a young comedian and actor in the late 1980s, I was a part of regular Sketch show at a Polk Community College in Central Florida. The producer/director encouraged a few of us to write more and direct along with giving us many opportunities. This naturally intersected with my love of stage and film and I not only begin to contribute more to the sketch work and variety shows, but had several of my entire scripts produced by the theatre department. Then, I was introduced to Syd Field’s screenwriting book SCREENPLAY and Rick Schmidt’s FEATURE FILMMAKING AT USED CAR PRICES and I never looked back.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Well, I am the youngest of nine children in a very colorful and diverse, religious family; so, my ideas usually find their genesis from my family dynamic emotionally and psychologically. I always work in various points of view and in-depth exploration of relationships. I am voracious reader and a proud self-proclaimed armchair historian – especially in regards to pivotal eras of creative development and artistic movements.
Do you write projects knowing that so many other factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?
I typically think in tunnel vision mode, even regarding one man shows. Putting restrictions on too early tend to cloud my judgement and interfere with my flow. That said, I am always aware of the medium and how it lends itself to manipulation.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
The Comedy Club is my dream project. It tells the story of a fictional group of stand-up comics who emerge from all over the country between the years of 1989 to 1999. As a stand-up comedian myself, the attachment to this project is obvious, but I also think that the impact that comedy has on the trajectory of pop culture and politics in a contemporary capitalistic empire is severely underrated. Comedy is huge business in America, and I think a thorough dive into the lives of the people who create the laughs for a nation the size of ours is not only necessary, but a very profitable commercial venture.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
I have only submitted this particular script once and I really didn’t expect much due to it being the first draft at that time (4 drafts ago). I just finally submitted it again and have high hopes.
If you could stand in a room full of investor partners looking at many projects what would you like them to know about you and this project? As my resume shows, a substantial part of my four-decade performing arts career is in stand-up comedy. I know this world and these characters, and I know people always hunger to know more about their lives. This series will serve them up whole.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?