MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Jean Hunter

An interview with screenwriter Jean Hunter regarding the Action On Film Writing Competition.

A: "Lady Jazz" - A 1940s jazz singer goes on the run when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her ex-lover--the twin brother of the LAPD's first black Homicide detective.

We've all had dreams, but Vivian ("Lady Jazz") and Detective Trenton possessed the fortitude to back them up. But even the realization of dreams brought harsh obstacles - Vivian's belief that her true love, Babe, is also her ticket to bigtime record labels but instead leads her straight into the gutter facing a murder charge - and the blatant racism Trenton endured forcing him into reopening his brother's murder investigation without his department's knowledge.

Love isn't enough and doesn't conquer all is the life lesson Vivian must (and does) learn.

A: Why I entered? Placing belief in my script aside, Mark Mahon's incredible success story inspired me so deeply I wanted to follow in his footsteps and it was as a direct result from his taking this chance and entering AOF that this happened (but I think it would have anyways sooner than later, Mark!)

"Lady Jazz" has done quite well in various comps; 1st Place Platinum Remi Award (Worldfest Houston); 1st Place (Red Inkworks); 2nd Place (A Feeding Frenzy); 3rd Place (Indie Gathering; Epiphany; Antelope Valley; Writers Place); Top 15% cut (Nicholls); Top 5 scripts entered (Extreme Screenwriting); plus finalist, semifinalist and quarterfinalist cuts in various comps. Not to mention the lastest win - Best Crime Drama with AOF!

A: Beyond satisfied. This is an amazing group of dedicated individuals who are the "action" behind their creed--to promote the winning scripts and writers. I'm excited about becoming a member of AOF through this win--which by the way, besides the above-mentioned, garnered me an extremely impressive HUGE framed certificate that I'm admiring right now.

The Writers Awards Ceremony was a thrill in that I was finally able to put faces to names I've seen in various comps--Chris Canole's hand was the first I shook on my way to the podium. All that creative electricity in the air was overwhelming!

Special thanks to my sister, Linda, and my friend and mentor Barb Doyon for being my guests and sharing this moment with me.

A: No, I didn't receive written feedback, but when Mark Mahon shook my hand at the podium and said to me, "A well deserved win, Jean" this was all the feedback I needed.

A: There is no doubt whatsoever that between AOF and my marketing efforts, I'm getting closer and closer to realizing my goal of becoming a produced screenwriter.

A: I've been creating my stories since I learned how to grasp a pencil at a very young age (short stories, novels and plays) but it wasn't until years later when I decided to adapt one of my (unpublished) novels into a screenplay that I finally found my niche--I'm a screenwriter.

"Lady Jazz" evolved from my passion for film noir, jazz and interest in crime-related tales. I've completed two other scripts (an optioned suspense thriller and a family/action adventure drama) and I'm currently deep into a 1950s drama with (of course) jazz and noir influences.

A: I have lived in LA but returned to Northern California for various reasons. I have no problem commuting to L.A. (I'm an hour's plane ride away) and will do so when necessary. And who knows--a permanent move to LA again might very well be in the future.

A: Always writing and always planning my next script or two. Hard to give this up when you've been writing since you could hardly hold a pencil in your hand. I'll always write.

Posted Tuesday, August 12, 2008