Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Lukas Hassel
An interview with screenwriter Lukas Hassel regarding the Cinestory Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Le Mécano.
A quiet mechanic is haunted by the public lynching of a gay young man in his remote Algerian hometown. Compelled into a mysterious quest, he tracks down the young man’s life in Paris, and is sucked into the dark underbelly of the city. There, at the edge of losing himself, the mechanic realizes that he has to return home, risk everything and confront an entire society.
A: I was a finalist at CineStory in 2009 with a different script, and had enjoyed an amazing time back then. The spirit of mentorship, encouragement and support blew me away. Everyone at the CineStory week really deserved to be there, whether it be talented writers, successful mentors and hard working staff. Every moment in Idyllwild was infused with purpose. Socializing with kindred spirits, exchanging ideas, learning of other trajectories in the writing arena all provided incredible inspiration. I checked cynicism, insecurities and hidden agendas at the door and braced myself for openness and generosity. In that mindset, CineStory did me very well.
I placed top 30 in Nicholl's, top ten in Big Break with the same script.
A: CineStory is run really well. Deadlines were met, emails answered and the awards were given promptly. The cash prize for the fellowship was even offered to me pre-retreat in case I needed the cash early. I declined, preferring to receive the honors at the event itself. My two mentors are being set up as we speak. One of my mentors, a producer, have been working hard on my behalf from day one after Idyllwild, above and beyond what I could have hoped for. The other mentor, a writer/director, will come in handy when I need feedback on my new script which I'm currently working on.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: Le Mécano was written from an outline, to several treatments, to the actual script. Getting the treatment right took the longest. When I finally allowed myself to write the script, it felt liberating and supported. Fro initial idea to finished script, it was a quick 6 months. The first time I wrote anything that fast. the story was solid. The third act and parts of the structure was the hardest part. The final script was probably draft three only because I had worked so hard on the treatment beforehand.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: Final Draft 7.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I write most days. If I don't write, it's usually because I need ideas to percolate in my head for a while. Do some research, read articles, related materials until I get a clearer picture of what I'm dealing with. The main thing for me is not to force my agenda in story. A scene is never there because it's a great scene. A scene is there because is has to be there. it serves a purpose. Otherwise it's out. Writing a set time a day doesn't work for me. However, there's never a day when I don't think about one of my scripts, or an idea.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: Writer's block as in staring at a blank page, not so much. I don't ever sit down with my computer if I don't have an idea waiting to get out. I'm not a masochist. Why sit with the computer if nothing comes to mind? Instead I may reread my outline from beginning to end, or my treatment, and finesse that. Feel what's honest, what's forced. That usually moves me forward.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I'm an actor. Not being as successful in that arena as I'd like, I was forced to engage in other creative outlets such as writing and directing to keep me sane. Thankfully I realized I had a talent for writing, and that I really enjoyed the process. So my writing really got life due to acting unemployment.
I have written other screenplays, but rally it's only now after ten years of learning and writing that I feel any level of proficiency. My older screenplays have good ideas at heart, but clearly lacks the craft.
A: I live in NY, happily, and will continue to do so.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm working hard at trying to get my winning script off the page onto the screen as a director. It's a long arduous process, but one that I'm willing to undertake. Many people support my efforts and share my enthusiasm for this script. Le Mécano will become a film one day.
Meanwhile, I'm working on my next drama. A screenplay. The outline is done. Now plowing through the first draft of my treatment. Looking forward to the day I can actually start focusing on the script itself.
At the same time, I'm editing my short film "Into the Dark" which I wrote and directed last year. It's close to being completed, at which time, I'll submit it to festivals and see what happens.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Posted Tuesday, November 27, 2012
