What motivated you to become a writer?
Self defense. Facing graduation in the midst of a recession, the opportunity to catch on as an advertising copywriter seemed like a better alternative than a long job hunt after school ended. It turned out I had a knack for it and was able to ride it out of the MidWest to make the move to Los Angeles with an income producing career in place while working on screenplays in my spare time. I was amazed to learn the movie industry was simply an expanded version of the advertising world. Stories are longer, production is more expensive and the clients are working with products which could fund whole countries. Having learned to work quickly, focus on the goal and collaborate with a variety of people at all levels proved incredibly helpful in making the transition.
Starting on a blank page is not easy. Where does your creativity come from?
It’s not easy keeping eyes and ears open for a new idea, but that’s exactly what the working writer has to do. Some ideas present themselves in epiphanies resulting from circumstances. Some come in the shower when the mind and body feel relaxed and open. Some generate in conversation, one thing leading to another until that thing becomes a concept. Some come from other sources. My current project was shared with me by my co-writer and I felt compelled (begged actually) to take it on.
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 advocate that the writer never surrender their naivety entirely. Certainly, once the project moves into further stages and collaboration and flexibility become necessary, real world factors will present themselves. I would also advocate the writer be aware of what’s going on around them, what’s come before, where things are headed. Incorporation of that sense of reality will certainly make inevitable adjustments so much easier as things move forward.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
Bill and I realized our original title may have been holding our project back, so we refined from “It Don’t Mean A Thing If You Ain’t Got That Ring” into, simply, RING. Along with our desire to share this experience with audiences on the big screen, we also realized our core concept, a mystical set of wedding bands bringing romance to those who share them is something that lends itself to a series of stories beyond our original screenplay. Where did these magical objects come from? How have they affected those who’ve worn them down through history? The possibilities for all kinds of romantic comedy and mischief appear endless.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
I’ve been fortunate enough to place highly in several prestigious competitions. I’ve been assured those placements make success (sale and/or production) inevitable. Those assurances have not played out the way I always hope for. All of my optioned scripts have resulted from live, face to face pitches. This business requires more than talent. Perseverance and luck are essential. So I persevere, I hope, and I write on.
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?
The project is charming. Bill and I are fun to work with. Let’s make some money together by bringing laughter and joy to audiences everywhere.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?
Type P.K. Silverson into the book search at Amazon.com and enjoy the fantasies you’ll find there. You can also check my bio at IMDB and my credits on my IMDB Pro page: https://www.imdb.me/pksilverson