MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Neil Graham

An interview with screenwriter Neil Graham regarding the Canadian Short Writing Competition.

A: The screenplay is called 'Something Pointless'.

It's about the idea that even unseen connections can bring light to even the darkest of days. It is about how your actions can bring purpose to other people - even if those actions seem pointless to you. It is about the unseen effects of our actions.

A: It was a fairly random decision to enter this contest! I was searching the internet looking for companies who accepted short screenplay submissions and found the CSSC web-site.

I have entered very few writing contests: but this one offered the chance to have the winning script made into a short film. So I decided to take a punt as the contest was open to international submissions. A lucky move on my behalf!

A: Yes, it was a very well ran contest. All deadlines were published and met: and there was regular communication from the organisers. In the final rounds there was a nice sense of suspense built up to see if you made the cut.

All prizes were received and the Writer's Block Crystal now sits on my bookcase in London. The script is now in development and will hopefully go into production in 2011. Again, the producers keep in touch and keep me informed about the development process. Everything about this contests has an air of professionalism about it. It really feels that the producers have my interests at heart and really want to make the best film they can from the script.

A: Writing it was straightforward and did not take very long. The first draft probably took about 30 minutes. It was written in one sitting back in 2006 and has sat in the drawer for a couple of years. I did not write an outline: being a short script it is easy to keep the structure in your head.

The version that won the contest however, was a 7th or 8th draft. Although, the core idea and structure did not change much from the first draft, there was a fair amount of polishing performed. Re-writing largely involved replacing dialogue with action and removing as much as possible to ensure a certain amount of ambiguity remained in the story. I did not want the core philosophy to be too black and white: life is more complicated than that!

A: I always write the first draft using pen and paper. When I have done the creative bit I use Final Draft. I find it easy to use and like the way it takes care of the formatting and presentation so you do not have to worry about it.

A: No. I don't really consider myself as a writer. I work in a bank! I do enjoy writing a lot though and usually write one or two scripts a year. I tend to write in intense bursts.

If I get an idea I want to write about I tend to focus on it until I have at least a first draft. I once wrote a full length screenplay in one weekend: so I can work intensely if required.

A: No, but I only ever write about things I find interesting: so it is not something I really have to deal with. If I don't feel like writing then I don't write.

A: I live and work in London UK. I have been a huge film fan since I was a child. And still spend far too much time watching and reading about film. I have written and directed seven short films and have had two (unproduced) feature film commissions as a writer.

In total I have written seven features, a television series and about twenty shorts in total. Most of these I would not want anybody to see - particularly the early stuff!

However, it's not an easy profession in which to earn a living. So these days, screenwriting is more of a hobby for me.

A: No, I live in London UK. I don't plan to move to LA. There are not enough pavements in LA. I need to live somewhere were crossing the road on foot is less of an adventure.

A: Not sure what's next. I will wait and see what happens. I am really looking forward to attending the premiere of Something Pointless. It will give me an excuse to dig out the tuxedo.

I am not working on anything specific at the moment.

Posted Friday, December 31, 2010