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.
EXABYTE
Written by Dan Abrams
What motivated you to become a writer?
I’ve been fortunate to have an encouraging family, plus friends and successful colleagues who appreciate my work. When you have a lot to say but no desire for on-camera fame, writing is an excellent path.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
I like thoroughly exploring whatever I find fascinating and then challenging foundations with “what ifs” until I arrive at what I hope is a new idea. After that, I discuss it with my brilliant and brutally honest friends. They help me avoid well-worn terrain and also demand I excel. Plus, of course, I’m always taking notes to review later for further research, brainstorming, and crafting.
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 have a reasonable amount of experience in those other factors, so my expectations are well managed. I’ve produced and directed hundreds of hours of non-fiction television, including HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL on HGTV, the WORLD SERIES OF POKER, as well as the Emmy-Nominated THE WRITERS’ ROOM on SundanceTV. I’ve co-produced a feature documentary about breast cancer and a couple of micro-budget feature films. I also co-executive produced the feature film ON WINGS OF EAGLES (starring Joseph Fiennes).
One has to be practical. I routinely calibrate according to a plausible budget range. I dream big on the blockbusters and scale back on the indies. Finally, a savvy writer also factors in what makes a project attractive to each part of the package. Talent looks for certain aspects such as Oscar-bait or showing their range. Reps want to further the talent’s brand and position them for ever-bigger projects. Distro wants international appeal (which encourages diversity and sensitivity to other cultures). All of which must be properly balanced with the needs of that particular story.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
My dream project is my sci-fi script titled EXABYTE. While it’s an entirely self-contained story, its surviving characters and uniquely plausible, futuristic world create sequel potential and video game viability (not a FPS, but more like the newer generation of non-violent, brain-puzzle and strategy games). ALSO FWIW: I’ve been concurrently writing a manuscript for a novel with the same story.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Since 2018, I’m grateful that it’s enjoyed a bit of an embarrassment of riches. To date, EXABYTE has earned 13 accolades/laurels in international screenplay competitions, including “Second Rounder” in the Austin Film Festival, Semifinalist in the Creative World Awards, Top-24 in FADE IN Awards Sci-Fi, Top-5 Finalist in WUFF, AADF, and the Switzerland International Film Festival, Top-50 Semifinalist in Network ISA’s FastTrack Fellowship, Official Selection in Beverly Hills Film Festival, Quarterfinalist in Stage32 Sci-fi, StoryPros, and Top 4% in Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest.
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?
EXABYTE has gotten encouraging, professional appraisals from Bondit/Buffalo8 as well as CFSC’s Commercial Viability Rating report. I’ve had pro VFX and line producers confirm it can be done on a low budget. Industry research indicates the sci-fi genre’s increasing popularity and extended appeal over the long term, which explains why the comps’ average ROI is exceptionally attractive.
Plus, my script is unlike virtually every other film about artificial intelligence (they regularly use the cliche where robots instantly become all-powerful and want to kill all humans). Whereas my story’s near-future, neither utopian nor dystopian, hyper-realistic world is set at the crucial tipping point when robots have indeed replaced most jobs, millions live moderately on the government dole, and the elite are on the verge of digital immortality.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?
1) Exabyte’s 90-second Previs (animated storyboards) for a key scene: https://vimeo.com/341738356
2) Exabyte’s 90-second Promo (“Ripomatic sizzle reel”): https://bit.ly/exabyte-sizzle
3) My prodco’s website: http://corpaniaproductions.com/exabyte
4) My IMDb page: http://imdb.me/DanielLawrenceAbrams