WRITER PROFILE
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Bensonhurst
Written by John Robert Franklin
What motivated you to become a writer?
I’ve always loved the theatre, whether movie or stage, and I love going to the movies alone on a weekday when it’s empty. It’s charming.
I come from a family of big characters and storytellers: New York Italians on my mother’s side and Southerners from Alabama and Florida on my father’s side. So there is this hilarious conflict of characters in my family, to say the least.
In April of 2017, I had my first script idea, and I decided to sit down, write it out, and let the movie play out in my head, which brought me a greater joy than anything else I’ve ever created. Since then, I’ve never stopped writing.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
My creativity seems to always start with music. Every script I have written has a musical theme throughout. My first script ever started with an intro scene that came to me while listening to Action Bronson’s “Actin’ Crazy.” Other scripts started from Black Sabbath, CCR, or Run The Jewels. My most recent screenplay, Bensonhurst, selected for the 2026 Capital Fund Screenplay Hot 100 List, started with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
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 am aware that a lot of other factors need to come into play to get a script from page to screen, but I don’t exactly write with that in mind. I try to write the best piece of entertainment that I can, that brings me the most joy, and I hope that, in doing that, it will bring joy to everyone who reads my script and may be interested in making my film. Later, that person and I can collaborate and decide what needs to happen to get this movie made in the best possible way.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
A piece of coverage I got back on Bensonhurst said, “Bensonhurst pays tribute to old Mob films like Goodfellas and The Godfather, but with the unexpected sharp comedic dialogue of Hulu’s The Bear.” My dream for Bensonhurst is for it to bring the Mafia film back from its heyday, where films with grit and charm stand the test of time in the theatre and later at home with the viewer.
As far as ancillary revenue, I believe there could be major potential in writing a music album for the main character, Johnny Ricardo, to produce and release, and perform live shows in underground music venues in Brooklyn.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Just like anyone, there have been some wins and losses, but Bensonhurst has claimed some wonderful accolades in the ISA Fast Track Fellowship, Atlanta Film Festival, Ink and Cinema’s Crime List, Capital Fund Screenplay Competition’s Hot 100 List, Los Angeles International, New York Metro, and Vail Film 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?
My Sicilian heritage runs deep through my veins like thick Sunday gravy. I have always been enamored with Mafia films, and this is my modern-day representation to make sure that genre never dies.
Bensonhurst is a quick-paced crime thriller with dark comedic undertones that will keep you laughing. It is a screenplay that could be produced on almost any level of budget, depending on what aesthetic, be it a rough-and-ready indie or a slicker, studio-fueled production. It will, however, appeal to strong character actors, which will, in turn, appeal to audiences.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?
International Screenwriters Association
https://www.networkisa.org/profile/john-robert-franklin
IMDB:
https://imdb.me/JohnRobertFranklin
Website: