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.
Cargo Jack
Written by Maria Soriano
What motivated you to become a writer?
Years ago, a producer with Mark Wilson’s Productions came into the dance studio where my ex-husband worked and asked if there was a dancer who spoke Spanish who was willing to translate into Spanish a Burger King stage performance. My ex-husband’s assistant recommended me.
I translated three of their stage performances and ended up directing the performer. After that, I was hooked. I began taking classes and courses on writing for TV, stage and film.
But before that, in a Catholic grade school, I wrote an essay on the Child of Prague and won first prize, a good sign that I love to write.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Inspiration for me comes in many ways. For the screenplay, “Cargo Jack,” an action thriller, I got the inspiration hearing my brother talk about his job as an airplane mechanic at a cargo company in Miami, FL. He told me of many daring escapades about his boss that were marginally over the line. That started my creative juices flowing to develop the main character, Jack Harper, add his friends, accomplices and foes to develop the structure and write a commercially viable screenplay. What is most important for me as a writer is for a screenplay to have heart. By heart I mean, that the story must evoke an array of emotions to keep the readers/audience engaged. I feel that “Cargo Jack” has that.
I did many rewrites and revisions to finally hone the screenplay with the following logline: A washed-up cargo pilot snaps out of his alcoholic haze to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend from ruthless South American sex trade operators.
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 fully aware what it takes to bring a screenplay to the screen and that many contributors are necessary, since I have worked as a Script Legal Researcher in the film and television industry. I read, broke down many screenplays/TV scripts, identifying and researching all items, such as names of characters, businesses, organizations, locations, artwork, intellectual properties, book titles/covers, brandname products, etc., plus I fact-checked all pertinent references. Then, I sent a Script Legal Research Report to the producer/production attorney and staff. The Report cited the liabilities and/or any conflicting legal issues. I worked with the production staff and made sure they followed through and addressed all legal problems. With the Script Legal Research Report, the producer and production attorney were able to obtain the errors and omissions insurance needed to protect production from any possible liabilities. Also, distributors do require for the EO insurance to guarantee that the screenplay has been vetted for legal issues.
I incorporate my knowledge as a Script Legal Researcher into my screenplays and fictionalize many locations, businesses and organizations.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
My dream for “Cargo Jack” is to surpass production excellence, shine in commercial appeal and be a money-maker. The comparable films are “Taken” meets “Expendables.” I want “Cargo Jack” to attract investors, financiers and other revenues to get it produced; allure well-known talent and production companies fascinated in producing a fast-paced, suspenseful, action-packed film. “Cargo Jack,” can play in movie theaters, on broadcast television, on streaming platforms and generate DVDs. Besides, “Cargo Jack” has the potential to become a franchise with characters that promise more action films about the lives of cargo pilots and the air cargo transportation business. It also has the ability to expand into a game app, graphic novels – and a TV series.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
“Cargo Jack” has placed in several contests: as a quarterfinalist and finalist. It also made 2023 Capital Fund Screenplay Contest Hot Top 100.
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?
Set in Miami, Fl and Colombia, “Cargo Jack” reveals a social disease: The sexual exploitation trade. When Jack’s girlfriend is taken, Jack and his crew go into action, jump hurdles, confront killers risking their lives to get her back, while bringing down a global crime network.
I have provided the link to view the Pitch Video to “Cargo Jack”:
I’m a produced writer/producer with Ground Squirrel Entertainment. In 2018, I wrote and produced a short film entitled “Lie In Wait”, that was accepted in two festivals; Official Selection in 2018 Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival and Semifinalist in the 2019 International Burbank Film Festival. I have written many screenplays, teleplays and plays.
Please check out my profile with ISA and my website.
Screenplay and Pitch Deck are available upon request: mlsoriano120 @ gmail.com.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share
ISA – https://www.networkisa.org/profile/maria-soriano
Marialsoriano.com