What motivated you to become a writer?
My motivation came late, I wasn’t a good student regarding languages, only sciences, so I never thought I would be an author. While in college (studying software engineering), my colleagues noticed that I had interesting ideas and was able to make cool jokes, so they suggested I should start a blog, which I did. But it was only after I attended a creative writing workshop that I realized that I had stories hidden inside me, which was a total surprise. Then, the trainer suggested to write and to put those stories out. I followed her suggestion and a tales blog resulted in 3 published books and now in scripts.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
The basic idea has to be there and usually it comes from simple situations: a trip, a conversation, interacting with people or just a word. Then, things flow naturally, despite of some blocks I might encounter here and there. But in the end, I think the secret is time: if you’re blocked, just give it a few hours or even days, and, eventually, things will flow, your brain will figure something out while working in the background. For me, and because writing is not my main job, I realized that I can only write on weekends while having a “forced” week of pause, I think it helps empower my creativity.
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 believe that we, writers, should focus only in the story. I’m a writer not a producer or a director. For example, one of my projects has kids as lead characters, I know producers “don’t like” working with kids (projects are restricted in schedule and budget, etc.) but the story makes sense with kids. If later, I get interest but major changes are required, I’ll do them, but when I’m creating I don’t think with a producer’s mind, and I shouldn’t, otherwise the story will be negatively affected.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
Script: Downburst
My dream is simply see it on the screen! Also, it was based on true events, so it would be welcome to see more awareness regarding climate changes, wildfires and “dirty businesses” around it.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
It’s been interesting and completely unexpected. In some contests, the script didn’t even reach the quarterfinals, on others did, then, on others reached the semifinals and even won one. Besides that, it was placed for 2 times in The Red List as one of the best action scripts of the month. So, everything can really happen!
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?
It was based on true events, it’s an “old school” action movie, between “Band of Brothers” and “Dante’s Peak”, it’s a multi-character story (like Game of Thrones) full of suspense in which the story is always unfolding, and it balances action with thriller genres. I believe it’s something unusual and interesting that people will certainly enjoy watching!
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?
I would like to share my personal page (www.carlosgalinho.pt) and my book collection De Conto a Romance (available only in Portuguese, for now).
