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.
The Black Hatchet
Written by Michael Trachiotis
What motivated you to become a writer?
Writing screenplays is a lyrical process and allows the genesis of an cinematic idea to form like a blue print is for the inception of a building, sheet music for the conception of music and a sketch for the innovation of fine art. It is a way to create compelling stories and build worlds that eventually are photographed and projected. Films do not exist with out screenplays. Essentially the writer is God and can do whatever they want — control, cut or add any element or character to enhance the narrative and journey, plots, dialogue, allies and enemies, emotions, production design, locations, time, space — anything and everything. The only limitation is one’s imagination. Writing scripts is the ultimate indulgence in pure creativity.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Once the idea is formed — however it is conceived — a blank page is like a blank canvas waiting for form, color, substance, texture, a voice, expression so it’s exhilarating to see the strokes paint the picture with words.
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?
Absolutely. Demographics, distribution, budget, marketing, casting, locations, SFX all come into play before a word is written.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
The Black Hatchet is not just another revenge-action-adventure-martial arts-historical-thriller. It is an origin myth. A franchise-ready antihero. A brutal, visually striking, rarely explored period world audiences have never seen before. It is a compelling, haunting meditation on guilt, grief and redemption purposely written as a new IP in the most profitable genres — action and adventure — to exploit global franchise potential with two sequels already outlined, proof-of-concept comics that sold out on Amazon and at comic-cons foreshadowing the franchise’s success (future comics/graphic novels continue branding and revenue generation). Streaming content, games and TV series are also in play. Many ancillary revenue streams are possible with this IP franchise.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
I have been winning awards and receiving fantastic reviews for all three of the scripts and films I’ve been submitting on the festival circuit and competitions.
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?
Absolutely. throughout my career my success has always been rooted in my ability to produce winning pitch decks and sell them to senior level executives and investors, no matter the title or size of the group.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?
This website is an online pre-vision portal for The Black Hatchet where the animated comics are available now for free, animations of the covers, pages and panels, and all the components of a pitch deck. Additionally there are scripts and film pages with all the awards and credits, plus a bio page.