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Interview
with Brian Young
What
sparked your interest in screenwriting? I have always wanted to write. My
first inclination was to write a novel. About four years ago I started a novel
that now sits about three quarters of the way finished. It is a murder mystery.
I stopped the novel after a friend who works as an AD read some of the novel and
suggested I try screenwriting. I immediately enjoyed the process of doing a
screenplay. To me it seems much more personally rewarding. I have also always
been fascinated with the process of making a film. You're a
lawyer. I know so many lawyers who have become writers! What do you
think it is about a lawyer's personality that makes so many of them want to be
writers? My sarcastic side says ego. I
think lawyers 'think' they can write and a belief that since they are lawyers
they must have great stories. When I was first practicing law I was doing a
lot of copyright and agency work. I had dozens of lawyers who submitted material
to me. None of it, with the exception of one retired lawyer, ever really saw it
through. The lawyers who do make it are the ones who can keep at it for as
long as it can take. I have been very fortunate. I began my screenwriting about two years ago. Once I had a script to a point that I was happy with it, I would do the contest circuit. While a contest can be exciting, it never really leads anywhere unless you win it. I have been a finalist in a number of contests, but never 'the' finalist. I then found the WritersScriptNetwork website. It is fantastic. Each and every one of my sales and options has been through that website. For me, it acts as the agent. One of the great things the site does is that if you get a sale or option, they announce that in a newsletter, that can then spark more interest. Three of my writing assignments were directly as a result of earlier sales and the subsequent announcement. I would be contacted by a producer who asked to see some writing samples. After that, if all goes well, you get the assignment. Since then I have been contacted by agents interested in representing me. It's the old adage: write it, and they will come. You've
sold or optioned three shorts. What do producers do with shorts? Do
they primarily use them at festivals? Yes, it is primarily for
festivals and raising money for a feature. I love doing a short. You can tell a
story and get your point across very quickly. My shorts tend to be much
darker than the features I have written. I think that is because I can take more
risks with them. Most of the producers who buy shorts are younger and just
getting going in the business. I find the shorts a great way to develop a story.
It is a quick writing process. That is like a dream come true.
The script is currently in development with a plan to begin shooting in the
summer. Like all projects it is dependent on money. Funny that. Part of me is thrilled that it is
an adaptation, the other part is terrified. I am thrilled because the story is
there. Sometimes fleshing out a story for a feature can be tough. You just don't
know where to go next - what's going to work or not going to work. With an
adaptation, you know pretty much how the story begins and ends - you just
put your interpretation on it. The terrifying part is, particularly with this
project, staying true to the original story and making sure you do justice to
what is already a wonderful story. This story is set in the 1950s, which will
make this project more challenging. That's ancient history! I have always watched a ton of
movies. I have never been a big television fan and would rent a video before
watching television. When I decided to attempt a screenplay I first obtained
some scripts off the Internet. I would then rent the movie and have a little
read-a-long. That was great to see how the end result came off the pages I had
in front of me. I bought a couple of books and they were okay. Nothing hugely
inspirational, but some good pointers on getting organized before you start
writing. I then just started writing. And I wrote and wrote.... At first I
didn't buy into the story of "you'll do a dozen drafts before your finished."
Now, however, I can't tell you how true that is. While the first draft may rock,
each subsequent draft just makes things that much better. If I were to say what
really worked the best for me, it would be writing and writing and writing and
reading a couple of other scripts along the way. I think that helps in terms of
getting your name out there and building an awesome resume. Winning a contest
can help, but simply showing that you can write material that consistently
places well, is definitely a benefit to your credibility as a writer. I think it's a gut instinct
sort of thing. I have a number of pitches, or ideas, that I want to develop. I
line them all up and think which one I could write most easily right now. If I
have a pitch that I am not quite sure where it is going, I will leave that. I
will tackle the story I can see clearly and see developing as I write it. The
problem is, for me anyway, I start one script then can't wait to get onto the
next one. I also read the websites that list who is buying what and that gives
you a good idea of what genre of scripts are being picked up now. But, always
keep in mind that you should right what interests you first. If you do, the end
result will always be a better product. I am quitting my day job. While
the big sale is not quite here, I have decided that if I am going to make this
work, I need to work at it full time. I have been writing late at night and
other crazy times. I would love to write when it is light outside for a change. Not really. I think of ideas that
would make interesting topics. I don't really think along the lines of a
blockbuster or high concept. The features I have written to date were
written based on ideas that I really liked and I knew I could write. I think if
I wrote just for marketability it may not be as good a project in the end. The
perfect mix would be an idea I like, but that is highly marketable. My current
project is a woman in jeopardy drama. That has great marketability but the
conflict in the story is what really gets me writing. I can see the story and
want to write it. While I like to write what people want, or marketability, it
is pretty great to write what you want. I love the spec script genre because it
is what I want to say. What advice would you offer to new screenwriters? Write and write and write. The best way to learn is to write. Set a goal of a few pages a day and do it. I don't go to bed until I have written at least something each and every day.
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Brian
is a Canadian screenwriter, based in Victoria British Columbia. He started
writing screenplays two years ago. Prior to that time, and even now, he has been
a lawyer and criminal law teacher. This year has been an unbelievable one
for Brian: he has optioned two features, and sold or optioned three shorts. He
has also been hired to do an adaptation and has another feature in negotiation
for a sale.
