What motivated you to become a writer?

I grew up in front of TV and movie screens (this was back when screen time was still okay for children).  I loved everything about it: the stories, the acting, the cinematography, the music…  I knew I wanted to be a part of that world somehow — and since my strength was always writing, here I am.

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

After playing around with “what if” scenarios for a while, I’ll land on one and start listing potential storylines and scenes.  More often than not, I’ll land on one or two key scenes or bits of dialogue, and the rest grows out of that.  Sometimes I’ll hit roadblocks, but those are kinda fun:  I get myself into a problem, and I have to find my way out — just like my characters.

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 used to concern myself with the entire process, but I don’t anymore.  No matter what factors are going to come into play, none of that matters until I have the best script possible — so that’s what I focus on:  a great story, an emotionally impactful story, and one that’s easily read and understood by others.  If I can transfer into the heads of others what I have in MY head, and get them to react (smile, sob, cry, laugh, scream, whatever), then I deal with the other factors after that.  It’s all about having the best script possible.

What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?

FREEDOM ONE:  Aside from theatrical and VOD markets, I’m not sure that this script has ancillary market targets (I’m just being really honest.)  Someone talked to me about the idea of converting the script from a feature to a limited series, which I’m not opposed to exploring if that format generates more interest among producers.

IN OUR IMAGE:  One reader suggested that this script almost had the feel of a video game (along the lines of “The Last of Us”), so there’s potential to explore the world I’ve created in that format as well.

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

I am constantly fascinated by the subjectivity of the entertainment industry.  The William Goldman adage of “Nobody knows anything” seems to apply, but I think it has more to do with the varied tastes and interests of the people who work in this business.  A wide array of results from contests — all with the exact same script — has become more and more commonplace for me.  Sometimes I place, sometimes I don’t… sometimes I win.  I’ve learned that contest wins will help me get the attention of producers, agents, and managers, and it’s good motivation, to be sure; but it doesn’t stop me from reaching out to industry people with my bottle (in which I hope to catch lightning one day soon).

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?

FREEDOM ONE:  The subject matter is timely, there’s plenty of interest in space programs right now, and after page 15 the entire story takes place in only two locations (so it’s not as expensive as the subject matter suggests).

IN OUR IMAGE:  Everyone’s concerned about where AI is going, and this story is meant to generate more questions than it answers.  The irony, of course, is that although the story is all about AI taking over, no AI tools were used in the writing of the script.

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

My website is http://jackcusick.com — and like me and my writing, it’s a constant work-in-progress.