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Interview with Chandus Jackson, Screenwriter and Disney Fellow Interview by Joseph Calabrese In February 2007, Chandus Jackson was awarded a writer's fellowship with Disney-ABC Television Group and the Walt Disney Studios. As one of only 14 fellows chosen for this highly-coveted award, Chandus prevailed against thousands of aspiring screenwriters and has commenced with his year long paid fellowship, honing his craft with executives on the lot of the Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios in Los Angeles, CA. How long have you been writing? I've been writing all of my life whether it's been song lyrics, poems, etc. I
didn't start writing screenplays until about seven years ago. I was so excited
to just finish a script that I didn't write anything else for a period of two
years. After I realized that a writer writes, I sat back down in my chair to
write other scripts. My favorite genres would be thrillers, suspense, and action movies. I enjoy writing movies that I would want to go and see. What inspires you? Where do you get story ideas? Most of the inspiration for my writing comes straight from my life. In so many ways the stories that I create are somewhat topical. That said, ideas for me come from everywhere. I like to think that nothing is wasted, no matter what job, profession or hobby. It all adds up to something that can be utilized in some way. I am proud to say that you and I belong to the same screenwriter's group. How has that group benefited you? Yes, I belong to the New Jersey Screenwriters Network (http://www.njscreenwriter.org),
which is based in Clark, NJ. This screenwriting group has been extremely helpful
with giving me the tools to develop and craft story. I think it's important as a
writer to have a network of other writers to discuss creative ideas. It's
critical to developing the skills needed to be a professional writer. I personally haven't played up the contest placements as much as I should have. I think contests are great and can definitely boost a career. My screenplay Rendered has done well this year. There were several contest placements in the semi-finalist and finalist categories with a win from Disney. The placements really do a lot to boost your confidence as a writer. Contests that I've entered primarily focused on professionalism and prestige. I would say that Austin (http://www.austinfilmfestival.com), PAGE (http://www.internationalscreenwritingawards.com), Disney (http://abctalentdevelopment.com/programs_writers.htm) and of course the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship (http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/index.html) fit this category. Winning the Disney Fellowship is a big notch in your belt. What made you decide to enter it? Disney is a contest that I've always known about but really didn't know anyone personally who had entered. I don't remember how I found out, however, I always knew that there were the two or three contests that every writer must enter besides the Nicholls. Disney was always tops on my list. How was the Disney interview process? The Disney interview process in many ways was no different from any job interview. I was asked the usual questions about my writing and motivation. Overall, it comes down to the writer being confident in the interview room. They must know that their writing is what got them there. The script that got me into the contest is titled Rendered. It's a political thriller about a respected Special Forces Officer who attempts to bring back a wrongly accused suspect deported to a third world torture cell. It addresses the subject of extraordinary rendition, which has been in the news. What is an average workday like at Disney like? You know, there really isn't an average day at the Mouse house. I've only been in the program for six weeks and the primary focus has been on developing concepts and pitching them to my creative team. Now that my team has approved the concept, it is off to outline and write the treatment. What does Disney expect from you? From a tangible viewpoint, I would say that Disney expects a completed
screenplay at the end of the fellowship. However, even more important than that
Disney expects us to walk away better writers with a solid grasp of the studio
development process and the inner workings of Hollywood. I don't have representation yet, however, Disney has been committed to
sending our work out to managers and agents. Later in the year, there will be a
formal meeting set up by Disney to introduce the fellows to managers and agents. It really comes down to submitting your best work into these competitions. I would focus on trying to get the script perfect. Sometimes in trying to adhere to contest deadlines, writers send a script out before it is ready. Keep rewriting until it's ready. Where do you see yourself after the fellowship is over? I see myself transitioning to the lifestyle of a fulltime, working writer. I don't know how long after the program this will take, however, I am confident this will happen.
Joseph Calabrese moderates the online screenwriters' forum at www.absolutewrite.com and is a screenwriter who consistently places in the top 10% in the competitions he enters. He modestly boasts a Slamdance win, a few options and rewrites for hires as well and is always actively pitching himself and his work. One of his latest spec scripts, The Eyes of Mara, is currently being made into a graphic novel for a late 2007 release with hopes of the screenplay being picked up by a studio. "Hey! It worked for Spiderman!" More on Joseph can be found at www.josephcalabrese.com. |
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