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.
Hectic
Written by Samantha Brennan
What motivated you to become a writer?
At a young age, I began creating stories. I started with picture books, then short stories, then poetry, then chapter books, and then finally to screenwriting. For me, I lean towards being more of an introvert. I keep a lot of my thoughts and feelings locked away. The words I am unable to say in the real world, I am able to say through my writing. When I feel pain, my characters will be injured. When I hear a funny joke, my characters will laugh at it. When I want to be alone, my characters stay indoors. Through writing, I was able to express myself in a way I never thought I could.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
Most of my creativity stems from everyday life. I draw my inspiration from interactions with my students when I’m teaching, conversations with my family members, late-night hangouts with my friends, and watching a television show or movie I find to be unique. Just living life, working a part-time job, however mundane it may be, could be the key inspiration for your next big script. For me, I never go searching for inspiration. I let my ideas come to me and then I proceed to write them down on my phone for future reference. However, I do like to challenge myself as well. I’ve written a found footage film, a television pilot, and a Groundhog-Day-esque zombie feature, to name a few. In order to not find yourself trapped in the same genre, it’s important to challenge yourself and see where your creativity takes you.
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?
When I write, I write it all. Every character. Every scene. Every interaction. I don’t try to stifle my creative freedom or second guess myself, that’s when it’s proofreading time. My scripts usually amount to 140 pages or so by the end. After I’m finished, that’s when I figure out which scenes aren’t important enough to make the cut. I try to keep my scripts between 90-120 pages, respectively, but with Hectic, I couldn’t bring myself to shorten it. After talks with potential producers, I might adjust a certain script to lower the budget. But for now, my scripts are filled with robots on fire, giant werewolves in the city, and aliens hovering over us in the sky.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
My dream is for Hectic to be able to reach all audiences in some way, shape, or form. It’s a diverse project and I hope it is cast as such. I want people to be able to watch it and think of not just the fun and action, but the development of each character and his or her own struggles. It’s also important that the audience recognizes and understands the villain’s intentions. In so many superhero/vigilante films and television shows, the villain is portrayed as a power-hungry individual who wants nothing more than for others to bow before him. That is not the case with my script.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
Hectic was a finalist at the New Wave Short Film Festival, a finalist for the Film Today Festival, and an honorable mention winner of the 2020 Screenplay Festival.
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?
Hectic is a project that has never been done before, at least not in this particular way. In so many films we see the person inflicted with the curse of the werewolf become this sexual monster who females lust after. Big muscles and an appetite for meat. But what if there is an innocent orphaned teenaged boy who wants nothing more than to save his city? For every dream, there is something holding us back. The audience can finally relate to this hero, sympathize with him, and cheer him on in his struggle.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?