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.
Hannah Fantastic
Written by Joey Jones
What motivated you to become a writer?
I grew up with parents who were storytellers. Mom never just “went to the store” and “it was fine.” She noticed details and everything became an adventure. Dad taught me to read early and instead of reading me a bedtime story, we made up stories. My favorite was “Poodles On The Moon.”
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Practice. I’ve been a paid print/radio writer, and you have to make the deadline, no matter what. Also, having been a reporter encourages objectivity about what I write, so I can step outside of it, which makes it easier to ask “what if?” Stories change as you tell them and the characters want things you didn’t expect.
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?
Yes and no. We’re aware that there are a lot of people involved in any film, each of whom has things they need to get the job done. We did act for a few years, and helped with productions behind the scenes, so we’ve seen what goes into the final product. That doesn’t factor into the first draft, but it does into edits and rewrites.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
Hannah Fantastic is a coming-of-age fantasy script, intended to be animated, which means there are possibilities for merch. MY fantasy is to see it become a theme park ride, since we’re theme park fans.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
It was a semifinalist for the Nicholl fellowships in a different version, and several other contests.
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?
It’s a coming-of-age fantasy with a strong female protagonist and lots of colorful visuals. It’s basically a mythic journey, with action and humor. And there’s a dog.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?
Our website, which is under construction, is https://ideajones.com
We’ve written for NPR and I’ve written for a bunch of publications. We were semifinalists for Screencraft’s “Cinematic Books” competition, the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting (and others). I have one IMDB credit for a documentary I worked on. It’s one credit, but I’m very proud of it.