MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Randall Hahn

An interview with screenwriter Randall Hahn regarding the Kairos Prize Writing Competition.

A: GIDEON

A mysterious boy with Christ like powers must bring together a racially charged town before the mayor’s vindictive son kills him.

A: The fact that this was a Christian Screenwriting Contest I felt it would be a better fit for the story.

Actually, I did enter it into a couple of other contests and got into the quarters, and semi's with it. Obviously, being a Christian script I felt that wasn't too shabby....

A: KairosPrize was an incredible experience from the word "GO"...

The people like Mr. Ted Baehr, and Mr. Michael Trent are wonderful, and friendly, and encouraging.

All awards were received, and all deadlines met.

I loved the total experience this Contest presented me. Truly, a lifetime memory and I believe even life changing.

A: I originally wrote this script back in 2001, but when I moved, I lost it. So it took me another 5 years to pick it up again.

Along the way, I learned valuable screenplay lessons and techniques that added up to a Grand Prize winning screenplay.

During that process, I probably worked on it over a 6 year period in between what I was really doing for a living.

Since the completion of that script, I have written 3 more, recently completing a Psychological Thriller which took me about 2 months to write.

A: I write my story on Word, then use Final Draft 8 to write the script.

A: When I start a script I try to write 3 pages a day, either before work or after. Or on my day off I really crash the laptop. This can mean 20 minutes or 5 - 8 hours depending on the flow and the time I have to write.

A: I don't get writer's block as much as I used to...I have learned to step away from the computer, print out what I have and take it with me to read whenever I get a chance. This allows me to reread with fresh eyes, make any corrections I need to, and jot down any ideas that come to mind, then I get back on the computer and implement what I have noted...Also, if I am not sure what the next scene is, I read the last few scenes right before I go to bed, and "thinkubate" into my slumber...usually by the time I awake, whether in the middle of the night, or by morning a new idea, or next scene has hit me and I jump up and get it down right away....My motto is, no matter what, "Write Forward"...I can always go back and rewrite, I just want to keep the creative juices flowing.

A: The first script I ever wrote, directed, and acted in was for my 3rd Grade talent show. I got the bug then, and pursued it throughout my teens, went to Northwestern University for Radio/TV/Film, worked on a movie in Chicago, and then moved home and life interrupted my lifelong dream.(Had to pay the bills)

It wasn't until 2001 that I bought Final Draft and began again my dream of Writing, Directing, Acting, and Producing.

I recently completed a script, adapted from a book for an Actor/Comedian in Hollywood who has the rights to it...I am extremely excited about it. I have had great response to it from a Top level producer who said he "loved it" and would be getting back to us "soon". What soon in Hollywoodspeak is I guess I will find out...hopefully "my kind of soon"....

And as I just said, I completed a Psychological Thriller called "Crash Backwards" that I am all "drenaled" up about. Looking to get it out there and see what hits.

A: I don't live in LA. All depends on what comes along. But I absolutely love South Florida, was born here and can't picture living anywhere else.

This town is full of creative energy, whacky people to watch, and synergize with and draw from.

MIA!!!

A: I just completed the Thriller and now am heading back to a couple of scripts I started a bit ago.

So yes, I am always working on something....I get ideas, stories, and type them up, put them in my "thinkubater" until they start bubbling and begin to overflow.

Then I sit down and start the journey all over again.

Nothing like it.

Me and my imagination infused with my laptop. And hopefully one day be able to make a living at it.

FADE TO BLACK.

Posted Thursday, July 24, 2014