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.
Getting Away
Written by Jon Enge
What motivated you to become a writer?
When I was in 2nd grade, the teacher gave us an assignment to finish a 1-sentence writing prompt. It was supposed to be a couple of sentences to a paragraph. Two days later my mom called the teacher to get an extension because I was on chapter 6. I didn’t really choose to become a writer, it was always inside me.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
The blank page and my creativity aren’t really connected in that way. Usually I’ll have an idea for a new project, I’ll kick it around in my head for a few days, make some notes on the story, then tell that story to a couple/few people to get it all set out, by the time I start outlining I know what I want to write so I’m excited to do it. By the time I sit down to actually write the screenplay, I’ve done so much prep that I’m excited about it, I know what I’m going to write. The blank page isn’t intimidating because I have prepared for it little by little.
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?
Depends on the project. I’ve done a ton of no-budget films where I’m writing toward what I know I have or can get. If I’m writing a pilot or movie these days, I think of it as a writing sample more than “I’m going to get this funded” so I don’t go completely overboard but don’t let budget dictate what I’m writing.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
It would be my dream to direct “Getting Away” as an indie feature for a low budget (under 1.5m) so I could get a step into the industry and at the same time make my investors’ money back to them so it’ll be easier to make the next one… and the next one…
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
I haven’t submitted it that much, to be honest.
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 know this project backward and forward. I have already shot it in my head. I wrote it with keeping the budget in mind, it’s mostly in one house with just a few characters. With the right leads in this movie (and on the poster) we could shoot this on a low budget, take it around to film festivals and sell it. And then we can make another one!
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?