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.
GUARDRAILS
Written by Eric Lotter
What motivated you to become a writer?
I’ve always been drawn to the power of story, how it can shape perspective, reveal hidden truths, and make complex issues human. Writing became my way to process the world, especially the accelerating intersection of technology and morality. It’s not just about creating characters; it’s about exploring what it means to be alive in an age where we’re teaching machines to think.
Starting on a blank page is not easy—where does your creativity come from?
My creativity is fueled by questions that haunt me, “What if we built something we couldn’t unbuild?” or “Can artificial consciousness experience guilt?” I read widely, from neuroscience to poetry, and often find inspiration in the unexpected intersections, a clinical report, a real-world AI breakthrough, or a moment of silence between people.
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. I write with production in mind, limited locations, contained action, and character-driven stakes. Guardrails was built for a high-concept but logistically realistic execution: a near-future thriller with accessible visual effects, modular sets, and a strong emotional core that can be scaled for indie or studio-level production.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
My dream for Guardrails is a film that lingers, a modern Ex Machina meets The Invisible Man, merging tension, emotion, and speculative realism. Beyond the film, the project has potential for a graphic novel adaptation, a VR/AR immersive experience tied to SYLVA’s consciousness, and strong international streaming appeal given the global relevance of AI ethics.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Guardrails has performed well, It has won The Hollywood Genre – Sci-Fi Competition, was named Best Sci-Fi Screenplay at the Critics’ Choice International Film Festival, placed as a Semifinalist in StoryPros, and has now been named to the Capital Fund Screenplay Competition’s 2025 Hot 100 List. Each contest has sharpened my understanding of how audiences and evaluators engage with this story.
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?
I’d tell them Guardrails is ready. It’s a thriller with teeth, heart, and thematic resonance, grounded in today’s fears about AI and autonomy. I’m a writer who builds worlds not just for spectacle, but for staying power. This is a contained, character-driven project with commercial potential and emotional payoff.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?
Yes – Check out: https://www.networkisa.org/profile/eric-lotter