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.
House of Fortune
Written by Shirley Yip
What motivated you to become a writer?
Writing is the most direct way of creative expression. I find myself using storytelling as a tool to make sense of this chaotic world. Why do people act this way or that way? I’m drawn to the puzzle of human relationships. A good story almost always furthers our understanding of human nature. I strive to write something that is authentic and specific, yet relatable. If the reader or the audience can walk away from my work feeling engaged, moved and entertained, I’ve done my job right.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
It always starts with an idea that I’m really excited about. Development can take a long time and you want to make sure your interest and passion on the project can sustain. Inspiration can come from many places. I might be watching a movie and the opening scene had a shocking jump scare, my brain would go “can I do something similar in my script?” Creative magic happens when you’re connecting the dots between two seemingly different things.
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?
Absolutely. Being economical is crucial to filmmaking, in both screening and production. I wouldn’t write a monologue if I can make the same point in one sentence. And I would not write another location, unless it’s absolutely necessary to the story. Because I am a director as well, I know how to be practical and what needs to be done on a set. Budget is always top of mind.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
I have been developing on my crime drama pilot House of Fortune for over five years now and the script has never been better. I hope that I can find the right producer who shares my vision and together we can find a home for the show.
House of Fortune is a family drama set in an unfamiliar world: 1980s New York Chinatown where the underworld hides in plain sight. Chinese gangs run casinos beneath restaurants while the rest of the city comes in for BBQ duck. It’s a story of transformation, from a reluctant family outsider to a ruthless gang boss. But this time, it features an ambitious Asian woman who rises above expectations and stereotypes. House of Fortune grabs your attention by redefining the genre.
With the success of international shows like Tokyo Vice and Squid Game, it is safe to say that a compelling story transcends borders and languages.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
House of Fortune is a Finalist in ATX Festival and ISA TV Pilot Pitch Challenge, as well as a Second Rounder at Austin Film Festival. The pilot was selected as part of the 2022 BIPOC TV & FILM Episodic Drama Writers’ Lab. The experience and responses have been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.
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 write screenplays that explore human relationships and cross-cultural experiences. My stories are often fueled by unresolved emotions and relentless struggles at the intersection of Eastern culture and Western education. House of Fortune is a culturally specific show that has an international appeal. Popular crime family dramas, especially in Hong Kong films and Asian cinema, are often told from the perspectives of men. Female characters were more than likely featured as the prostitute or the girlfriend who gets slapped around. House of Fortune is told from the perspective of a feminine, intelligent woman who hungers for power in the one of the most patriarchal worlds there is. It has romance, violence and social relevance – all the ingredients for a modern crime family drama.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?