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.
“The Black Castle”
Written by Judi Jordan
What motivated you to become a writer?
Fear. It was 2000. I was living in Paris working for Lagerfeld as a designer. His genius was everywhere; I wanted to find my own. In previous years I produced my own collections in New York, Zurich and now Paris. I had been to 23 countries and designed for a German company and French Haute Couture houses before getting a job working for the Holy Grail of fashion.
After a decade plus in the shallow, stressful fashion world, I was starved for depth, an intellectual and creative challenge. I was afraid that if I didn’t escape, I’d be trapped in that brittle universe forever. Then something happened.
I had just returned from a visit to the gorgeous Loire Valley, and a tour of the legendary castle Chenonceaux, where a 16th century romantic tragedy still held sway… the great love story between young King Henri II and his adored older mistress, the extraordinary Diane de Portiers…who had reigned at Chenonceaux beside his fuming wife Catherine de Medici until his grisly foretold death by lance through the eye. Standing in the empty palace, I knew that I had ‘been there before’ it chilled, excited me. I knew then that I wanted to write historical projects.
I was drowning in beauty and darkness Stories came to me—demanding to be told, and they would not let go. But I had never written anything more than a proposal letter. I was terrified. One evening, after a medieval choir concert at the Abbe de St Germain, I walked 500 feet to my favorite haunt, Cafe De Flore for a ‘Kir Royale.’ I sat outside. I looked behind me. Robert DeNiro was sitting there, he smiled, we shared a glass. He listened and encouraged me to do what I was called to, no matter what. His blunt words burned into my memory. He said, “Never forget that nobody’s better than you. ”I went home and started writing that night. He didn’t say it would be easy. But I haven’t stopped.
I want to be among the best at what I do; Historical Drama/Fantasy/Horror
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
One thing I took away from Lagerfeld was the ability to be inspired by anything. I love history, art, beauty, film, travel, music and intuition. However cynical the French may profess to be, they like their ‘signs,’ their synchronicity.’ They are a bit superstitious, watchful for subtle confirmations that lead to good fortune. I confess that I have adopted this trait.
In Paris I lived around the corner from the Louvre in a haunted building in the Rue de St Peres, erected in 1630. It made life more mysterious and fascinating.
Senses heightened, I saw patterns arise and sensed a shift in humanity toward the unseen. I devoured books on mysticism, angelic interventions, haunted castles, alien races, knights, queens, kings, emperors, past lives and future portals. Every chateau, museum, chapel, cathedral, flea market, bookstore and café had a pushy phantom breathing down my neck with a tragic love story, unsung act of chivalry, unexplained miracle or forgotten heroism to be told.
They led me to my longest obsession, The Don Sebastian Chronicles- a series of five books I optioned to develop as a ‘series of limited series’ adaptations. It combines all of my fascinations, history, destiny-fated romance, supernatural mastery, elegance and immortality, in this instance with a chivalrous vampire. Sourcing creativity was never my issue. It is my strength
Logline: THE BLACK CASTLE 1489 Spain. At the dawn of the Inquisition, Sebastian of Aragon, powerful, rebellious and charismatic Knight/Noble risks the wrath of Catholic Monarchs Isabel and Fernando and his Inquisitor brother Diego, with his forbidden marriage to well-born Jewess Ana De Costa. A gifted healer, Ana is secretly versed in ancient Hebraic Kabbala Alchemy. When Sebastian is fatally wounded Ana revives him with a blood serum resulting in unintentional immortality. Ana and Sebastian will use their powers to battle the Inquisition, protect their magical relationship and save the Jews, Moors and Gypsies–of their beloved Spain.
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, that’s why I look for “success elements” and go the extra ten thousand miles to get the right people on board to assure great quality of production and acting.
Knowing there is an audience for this is critical. Viewers are still looking for the next Game of Thrones, whilst they devour historical/fantasy horror fare with hopes of satisfying that craving. For this project I was determined to get the best production services partner company that did everything in Spain for Game of Thrones. After signing them on, I have been to Spain four times for research and meetings.
I am a proactive writer with producing initiative. I inspire others to get onboard. I line up the pieces to the puzzle to the best of my ability. But I can’t do everything. With my excellent production partner in Spain, and prestige streamers in need of high-quality content, the missing link is funding.
Connecting with the ‘right’ distribution used to be called ‘serendipity.’ Or ‘timing’ Now it’s called critical mass. I am confident of the success because we are seeing the results of well-made Fantasy/Historical inspired shows with legendary structures like GOT, Outlander, Vikings, Knightfall, The Tudors, The Crown, The White Queen, Versailles and even The Witcher.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
My dream/vision for this series is a 10-season run (based on the 5 existing Don Sebastian books I have optioned and am adapting, plus original material/characters that can generate additional storylines )
I hope to strike deals with Viking Cruises, Parador Hotels, Wine producers, specialty food, home furnishings, greeting cards, graphic novels, tattoos, music, Chivalry Video Games and Strategy and Zara or H&M to create capsule fashion and accessories collections from the extraordinary production and costume design planned, and cosmetic and or bath line with mystical natural ingredients of seduction; erotic intelligence.
The Don Sebastian Chronicles has the “fascination factor” of a Game of Thrones with time travel, romanticism and blood-decadence of Interview With The Vampire, the dark church underbelly of Name of the Rose, the diabolical royal pomp gone rotten of The Tudors, and the upstairs/downstairs class-wars of Downton Abbey—in the settings of Spain, France, Italy, Germany. It embraces time travel romance in each new country and new century via immortality.
For fantasy/horror/history/romance audiences it rings all the winning bells, plus a few new ones as Corrupt, Wicked Royalty, Science-based Ancient Magic, Female Power, sophisticated Torture and Exorcisms are added to the mix.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Due to the scope and wanting to keep a certain amount of discretion I have not been entering the script in contests. I have received and applied extensive notes from coverage I paid for to polish the pilot.
I actually entered the project in producing workshops/competitions and was a finalist in the CBS Diversity Producer Mentor Program.
I also was recently chosen by to pitch by three studios in the Greenlight Program by Roadmap and featured in ISA’s Success Story Spotlight.
Previously, I was a 2x Finalist for the AFI Women’s directing workshop with original scripts to direct. So, close but no cigar.
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?
This is an international series, with vast potential, based on 5 cult novels, set in 5 countries, that embraces 5 centuries in 6 of the most visited countries of the world. Spain, France, Mexico, Germany, Italy and England are locations for 3 of the series. India is the setting for the last book. Audiences LOVE watching shows set in their favorite destinations. As an example, the show Versailles, shot for 3 seasons in France – it sold in 165 territories, we have one of the leads from that show as our title character, and 13 top Spanish stars signed on.
I have great instincts. I have just been ahead of my time and the curve, and sometimes I ‘let go’ of past projects too soon — just before it caught fire.
With The Don Sebastian Chronicles I have chosen to laser focus because I am certain that the time is now. Religious persecution, injustice, forbidden love, royalty and immortals will always find an audience. Well-produced, this is a legacy project with longevity.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, that you would like to share?
https://judijordan.com
Linkedin.com/in/judijordan