MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Curtis Burdick

An interview with screenwriter Curtis Burdick regarding the ENDAS Writing Competition.

A: JONNIE THE BLACK

It's an action-adventure story about Jonathan Harkness aka, Jonnie the Black, an African-American civil rights leader and long-time Democratic Ward committeeman in Chicago , who is honored by President Kennedy on his hundredth birthday. During the ceremony he reveals he was born in Boston and was taken captive as a child and raised by Comanche.

Afterward Kennedy asks him to stay and tell him more about his life and he captivates the President with a story of incredible adventures including long ignored history about the role of African-Americans in the 'Wild West.' Startling twists and turns abound as gunfighter/outlaw/cowboy/Cody 'Wild West Show' performer/soldier/bootlegger, 'Jonnie the Black', crosses paths with a remarkable group of characters, famous and otherwise, leading to a series of stunning revelations involving the President's family and a surprise ending.

A: I entered because I found out that ENDAS was a top European contest and thought 'JONNIE' might be the type of story that would appeal to a European point of view, interest and audience.

Yes, JONNIE has been entered in a number of contests here in the U.S. in late 2007 and 2008 and done well - Quarter-finalist in FADE IN Fiction and Screenplay Contest (still active), Finalist in the Red Inkworks Contest, Semi-Finalist in the Movie Script Contest, Semi-finalist in the FilmMakers Contest, Quarter-finalist in BlueCat Contest, Top Ten finalist in Story Pros Contest, Finalist in Write Movies Contest.

A: Extremely satisfied. Exceeded my expectations actually and, frankly, better than any other contest we've received awards from. They met their deadlines and I was invited to received my award in person at a truly impressive awards ceremony in Genoa, Italy that was like a mini-Academy Awards show with entertainment, translators, and great attendance! Everything that was promised has been received.

A: Yes! Received feedback from every one of the twelve jurors (judges) - translated where necessary since it was an international jury, including Syd Field who was the jury chairman.

The feedback was gratifying of course since I was the Grand Prize winner but also meaningful, very helpful and I have already implement most of the notes and suggestions given.

A: Remarkably yes! I already have an agent but when I sent a query out with the contest information and also sent the ENDAS press release to other contacts that hadn't read the script I received a fantastic reply in return - nine requests for the script so far. Apparantly, there is a very real 'cache' attached to winning a European Screenplay Contest.

A: Background in advertising as a creative director/copywriter/commercial producer. Have written twelve scripts in the last four years with collaborators Scott Burdick (art school and film school background) and Jeff Burdick (Northwestern University and professional journalism background). Three have been optioned.

Two TV Reality concept proposals and pilot scripts have been written and are under consideration.

Have also finished an historical action-adventure novel (the first in a projected series), "Crusader Archers of The Dark Continent."

A: No, do not live in LA. Really like Chicago too much to leave but have and can easily visit LA on a regular basis when necessary.

A: Just completed a supernatural-horror-thriller script, HELLHOLE, with franchise and TV spin-off possiblities.

Two more treatments have been completed, a broad 'Apatow-type' comedy, SEVEN MINUTES TO A FIMER BUTT - which I'm writing now - and a thriller series, THE TERROIST HUNTER, which we've been attached to write.

Posted Friday, November 14, 2008