What motivated you to become a writer?

I have never consciously decided to become a writer. It was more of a natural progression after having been the kid that always carried a book around. That book was soon replaced by a notepad, and I would scribble stories whenever and wherever they’d come into my head.

Film school introduced me to the world of screenplays, my declared passion. I am currently pitching two projects from my portfolio.

I also adapted two of my scripts into novels, both published, and contributed content to anthologies.

Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?

For me, inspiration can come from anywhere… but a blank page. The story idea has to be there first before I even open my laptop.

I could be walking the dog, grocery shopping, or sitting on the beach when an idea is triggered. It could come from an image, a sound, a remark during a conversation, an old memory, or a life experience. The possibilities are endless.

Sometimes story fragments collected in the back of my head suddenly fit together, and a storyline falls into place. Someone once told me to trust the process, which has worked for me so far.

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’m somewhat of an idealist. When a story excites me, I just have to write the script. All the obstacles ahead do not come into play at that point. If they did, I probably wouldn’t get past FADE IN. I believe that good stories with great characters will find their audience, and the other factors will fall into place. Reality hits after THE END. That’s when the rewrites begin.

What is your dream for this project, and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include the script title in reply.

My dream for Proof Positive would be to make it to screen, big or small, and inspire people. The main character uses social media to reinforce our belief in basic human kindness. His campaign could easily be replicated on a more general level and potentially spark a movement accompanied by a wide variety of merchandise from T-Shirts to tumblers.

Logline: When an accident sends his best friend into a wheelchair, and a dangerous, self-destructive tailspin, a desperate high school senior must act fast to prove that there is still a big and beautiful world out there full of places to see and people that care.

How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?

It’s early, so the majority of the results are still to come. So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. KidsFirst Film Festival selected Proof Positive and the ‘Coalition for Quality Content for Children’ endorsed it. It has also been chosen to be table read in its entirety by the LA Feedback Film & Screenplay Festival.

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?

“Proof Positive is a highly personal project made possible by a combination of personal and professional experiences.”

Anyone who has teenagers old enough to start driving has probably thought that behind-the-wheel driving instructors must have a death wish.

Years ago, I was one of them (without the death wish). Being cooped up with anxious or shy, sometimes petrified, and occasionally over-confident teenagers for two hours at the time lead to the best, most insightful conversations. I was privileged to listen to their dreams and hopes for the future, but also their worries and fears (all in an effort to reduce stress, while teaching safe driving practices, of course). The main characters of my project, their voices, and backstories owe their authenticity to the countless hours spent with these amazing individuals.

The actual story premise for Proof Positive was sparked when my own kids got their licenses. I couldn’t help but worry about distracted driving and would run through worst-case scenarios every time they pulled out of the driveway. One of those scenarios took hold in my mind and started growing: What if an accident took away that ONE big dream in an instant, and there was no back-up plan? I know the devastation this can cause all too well from personal experience. My daughter was a student-athlete forced to give up her sport and consequently the hopes and aspirations tied to it.

That’s how Proof Positive was born, an inspirational coming of age story about the power of the human connection that speaks to teenagers and parents alike.

Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?

My author-website can be found at www.mnaidoo.com.

I am also active on Twitter and Instagram under @authormnaidoo.