What motivated you to become a writer?

I was always interested in history and books as a child into adulthood. I’m an archaeologist by training so oral traditions of telling myths etc. fascinates me. Being a fan of film, it was only a matter of time before I tried my hand at screenwriting so I signed up over 10 years ago for a Saturday course where we wrote a feature over 3 months.

Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?

The weirdest sources often! Dreams. Or from a book I read or even a sign in the street. I find my stories seem to spring forth from one idea and then I form a narrative from that. I’m intrigued by both history and even the future, as it’s still so unknown and mysterious.

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?

Working in film for years on various shows of different budgets has taught me that it really takes time, labour, commitment and yes funding to get an idea to a screen. I try to entertain in my work no matter the genre. I want the audience to escape into the tale and hopefully, relate to one of the characters in some way. I do think with VOD and streaming that there are options that might not have existed say 20 years ago to get work made if you are a non-established writer.

What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.

The 36 which me and my writing partner, Darlene Cerilli have written, is quite epic in many ways as it touches upon bigger themes: Saving the world and good vs. evil. I can see it being extended to animation or even video games as the story is set in the real world but has supernatural characters and a quest and final battle in the narrative.

How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?

Besides a live pitch session years ago, we haven’t actually entered any contests although we did enter an open Netflix call for Canadian projects.

When we pitched The 36 live, we did get a 50% response of interest from producers and lit agents attending. I think it was because the source for the story was new to them and offered a new take on supernatural thrillers.

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?

The 36 is a supernatural thriller which touches upon many timeless themes and some very modern concerns: the rise in power of corporations and CEO’s who in this case have dubious and sinister goals: to bring about the return of Satan to earth and humanity. It’s a fun, epic ride featuring a very diverse cast who are of many nationalities and in some cases, of non-human origin. But it’s also about friendship and love and courage.

Logline: An archaeologist and mysterious cult expert join forces in a race against time to save thirty-six special humans from a sinister cult.

If they fail, humanity will face extinction.

Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?

Yes I have an IMDB page which lists my credits including Pink is In, a comedy web series  I helped create which airs on Bell Fibe TV1 here in

Canada.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4382645/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Thank you for allowing me to share a bit about our project!