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.
“Honor Janet”
Written by Anthony Osarfo
What motivated you to become a writer?
I’m a storyteller. Story ideas come to be easily, and the desire to tell them drives me to write. That aside, I love visual storytelling more to other forms of telling stories, hence, screenwriting.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Largely from within. How it comes about I have no idea. It also comes from observing, reading, watching, listening, and living life in general. But I must repeat, it largely and mostly comes from within.
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?
Oh yes! It’s actually one thing every creative must always have in mind – and so I do. I’ve taken time to read one or two produced spec and production scripts and realized the disparities between the script and the movie.
It goes to confirm that all ‘final’ art forms go through changes based on several factors – invitation of other creative minds, timing, budgeting, preference, etc. So yes, I always write knowing other factors need to happen to get it to the screen. However, it hurts when the final output kills the steam in the original work. I’m yet to experience that, though. (giggles).
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
I want to establish my name as a horror-thriller-mystery screenwriter in Hollywood, first, with this supernatural-horror feature titled ‘Honor Janet.’ Though I have other equally splendid horror screenplays, I worked very hard on this one.
This very screenplay drained all the visual-writing creativity out of my mind – now that’s hyperbole. Not to talk of the thousands of dollars I spent on entering contests, re-submissions, editing, and coverage services to get it to the relatively professional standard it is now.
With how well it has fared in contests, I intend adapting it into a horror novel, so that even if I don’t get it produced, optioned or bought, I can self-publish it and see if that could earn me some bucks (laughs). To be candid, I’ve never written a novel before so I’m searching for a novelist, established or newb, to collaborate with me (co-writer) sort of deal.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Very impressive. I dare say excellent thus far. It has won multiple contests and placed in finals, honor mentions, quarter-finals, selections/nominations in genre (horror) and non-genre contests — plus received top-drawer reviews from contest judges:
‘Honor Janet’ is a fun, unique horror script with a solid premise. This is a well written script that feels polished and professional. I enjoyed ‘Honor Janet’ and could definitely see it coming to life on screen — Atlanta Screenplay Competition final jury’s feedback.
…. And I must digress to add, my very first ever scriptwriting award came from Capital Fund Screenplay Competition (2019). I placed in the ‘Hot 100 Winners’ with screenplays: ‘The Slayed People’ (number 59) and ‘Spell by Deed’ (number 76). I nearly pee out of joy when I received the email. See – https://capitalfundscreenplaycompetition.com/screenplay-contest-winners/
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?
Well, horror/thriller is a sought after genre globally. The ROI in horror projects are enormous – and a good number of industry (Hollywood) surveys attest to this.
And so as a horror-thriller screenwriter who has other award winning horror screenplays and still developing more, I consider myself a talent that any investor in the horror genre space can invest in and have value for money – same for agents and managers who may want to represent me.
I’m stepping into the game not as a screenwriter to add to horror screenwriting or writers, but one with a uniqueness – supernatural-horror-writing. In short, I write strictly supernatural-horror.
‘Honor Janet’ is an intriguing, visually alluring, page-turning screenplay. It’s theme and premise can be related to by all, irrespective of credo, nationality, faith, etc. The infusion of diverse characters and voices and well-crafted protagonist and antagonist (all females – 20s) raises the marketability value of the script.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?
https://www.scriptsummit.com/post/in-the-spotlight-anthony-osarfo
https://medium.com/the-film-arts-hearts-international-film-festival/interview-anthony-osarfo-51e7e2fb511c
AWARDS
https://www.malibuinternational.org/accolades – – GRAND JURY PRIZE
https://hollywoodbloodhorrorfestival.blogspot.com/2019/12/hbhf-winners-of-november-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR2MhNZJQsQMqUEmG8qX2CqTBlfPeAdZSR1cUZUJbCIwz-wPsZzV93RKWRs — BEST SCREENPLAY
https://www.barnstormfest.com/2019-short-list – HONOR MENTION
https://www.creepytreefilmfestival.com/fall-fest-2019 – FINALIST
https://chicagoscreenplayawards.com/best-screenplay-contests-past-winners/ – QUARTER FINALS
https://nyscreenplays.com/past-winners/ – QUARTER FINALS