MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Jordan Hunter

An interview with screenwriter jordan hunter regarding the Acclaim TV Writing Competition.

A: "Deal With It" is about a young, creative, and very contrary young woman who runs away from a bascially loving family because of her abusive step-father and ends up carving a very independent but insolated life in NYC working as a dominatrix. Keeping people at arms length, she uncharacteristically lets herself get involved with a handsome charmer, not suspecting that he is the agent of some really, really bad people who are trying to find certain contraband that her now-dead step-father stole from them. ...Oh yeah, and did I meantion... she's just discovered that her estranged mother, whom she dearly loved, is in jail for her step-father's "murder"?

A: I've entered this script in previous contests. Have receieved semi-finalist status twice with it. I entered Acclaim because I read some of the testimonials on the contest website. People were quite positive about the care and treatment their scripts rec'd.

A: I've had a very positive experience in entering the Acclaim script competition. I've submitted to many contests and this is the first one where I was really given any direct personal response both to my entering the contest in general, and, specifically, to my work. It was truly apparent by the notification email I rec'd that they had taken great time and care when reading my script, understood it and responded to it as I'd intended. That means a great deal in an industry when apathy or simply a lack of knowledge can be quite common.

A: Yes, surprisingly, I did receive feedback. This, again, is wholly uncommon in contests such as these, unless you ante up a bunch of your ducats for "coverage." And often those expensive commentaries seem to come out of left field. As I said previously, re: Acclaim, I felt that I was getting support from someone who really dug into my work and cared about it. Plus, yes, the feedback was very useful.

A: Okay, in all fairness, I was notified about winning the contest only two days ago. You can check with me in a month or so, and I'll let you know about all the people who were savvy enough to beat down my door to get their hands on this project! ;)

A: Yes. I've been writing scripts for many years. I produced two of my short plays (comedies) here in New York City. I've written many TV spec scripts, and a couple screenplays. I've interviewed for a staff position on one network show so far, and I'm developing a mystery/comedy hourlong series project to hopefully be pitching after this coming pilot season winds down. Oh, and I've been writing incisive, astoundingly perceptive, and hilarious film reviews for a couple of websites for several years, as well.

A: I live in New York, which I love. And "Deal With It" is a TV pilot set in New York, so if there's interest in it, I would, of course, stay here to work on that. I like to promote TV and film production here. I think it's an exciting place to live and work. But, having said that, my other project takes place in Anytown, USA and could easily be shot in Cali. So, sure, I'd totally callously bail on my friends, family, and painstakingly cultivated network of peers in a New York Minute if work calls me to L.A.! (Just kidding about the "callously" part. I'd need a lotta Kleenex.) Frankly, I wouldn't be completely heartbroken to leave the cold winters behind.

A: As I said in my usual blabbery fashion, yes, I am working on a very exciting TV pilot project right now that will be fun for young and old alike. I'm totally and madly in love with the concept, and it's UNBELIEVABLY commercial with GOBS of cross-promotional tie-ins up the ying yang. And, for those who have read "Deal With It," you already know how I like to create quirky characters and put them very unlikely circumstances. Well, this new project is that -times ten... and with comedy.

Posted Sunday, March 4, 2007