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.
“Move”
Written by Torino Von Jones
What motivated you to become a writer?
I was sick as a kid, allergies and asthma kept me in the house. My mother would take me to the library and let me check out stacks of books. Reading activated my storytelling synapses, I fell in love with words. I was the first in my family to graduate college, an honor student majoring in English Literature with a legal career as my goal. During my junior year I realized I didn’t have a lawyer’s mindset. I told myself if I wanted to write, I needed some life experiences. I worked and lived outside of the US for 13 years. I became a husband and father. I studied the art of screenwriting. I got my break when I was hired to develop content for a Japanese, Chinese, USA production company. I learned how to work with producers and how to take a conversation and turn it into a screenplay.
Starting on a blank page is not easy – where does your creativity come from?
When I stare at a blank page, I’m only seeing a bridge to my completed screenplay. Before I’m ready to write, I’ve outlined the story, developed character descriptions for my leads, assembled notes (arranged in order) for dialogue and scenes, and have a large note card taped in front of me with my theme clearly stated. The preparation inspires my creativity, character dialogue, and turns good scenes into great scenes.
Do you write projects knowing that so many factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?
Most definitely. Writers make decisions. Understanding how to incorporate authentic choices that fit the budget and scale of the production is essential — I’m not going to set a scene at the airport for a film with a $5M dollar budget. Screenwriting entails more than creativity, a writer needs to think like a producer and understand the business of films.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
My project is called MOVE. It’s a dance movie set in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. With a diverse intersectionality of lead characters, MOVE targets a global dance/family box office.
I am seeking a producing partner to fund, package, and set a production date. Additional revenue ideas include developing an App to view rehearsal footage and how-to-dance instructional tips; Pop-up dance contests to promote the film; Merchandise, and action-dance figures; A dope Soundtrack.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
It’s been crazy. MOVE has placed in the top 10% in every submitted screenplay contest and is a finalist in the 11th Annual Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition.
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 would tell them I’ve studied and developed content for dance films for five years and the metric that stood out was the international box office — the numbers more than doubled the domestic box office. MOVE is a project that can pass Chinese censorship and resonate with a global audience. The dance/family genre is a faithful audience, my research shows they want inspirational stories with great dancing, romance, and a cast that reflects a diverse audience. I don’t know everything about making films or screenwriting, I have a lot to learn, but I see the possibilities. There’s light at the end of my tunnel.
Do you have any website links for your writing credits, background, etc. that you would like to share?
I’m a multi-optioned writer. I have an IMDB page, connect with me on Linkedin.