Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Michael Murphy
An interview with screenwriter Michael Murphy regarding the Divebomber Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "The Writ Writer" is based on the true story of Scipio Jones, a black attorney in 1920s Arkansas who appealed the death sentences of twelve black sharecroppers wrongfully convicted of murder during a racial conflict in the Arkansas delta. Jones was of mixed heritage, so it's also a story of his inner conflict in negotiating his way through two worlds: One white and one black. Through Jones's tenacity and force of will, even in the face of societal and institutional racism, he gets the men's case to the United States Supreme Court. After a stunning landmark decision, the twelve men are freed.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: The Divebomber Radio contest offered a unique prize: Having the script adapted as a radio drama to later be broadcast by public radio station KCBX during both the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo film festivals. Of course, the writer maintains all rights to the screenplay. They also present the winner with a final copy of the production and, with the winner's permission, archive the broadcast so that anyone could go to the station's website and listen to the production. Writers want their work "out there" and this seemed like a unique opportunity. I've entered other contests with this script. An initial draft of "The Writ Writer" was a finalist in UCLA's 2009 Extension Writers Program contest. It won its genre division at the 2009 Indie Gathering festival and was a top 12 finalist at the Peachtree Village International Film Festival in Atlanta, which I attended. Last fall, it was an Honorable Mention in ScriptSavvy's monthly contest. All in all, that's very encouraging to me.
Q: Were you satisfied with the administration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: The Divebomber contest administration was great. They kept me updated on the progress in setting up the actors, sound effects and musical score. My favorite part of the collaboration was being able to cast an actor friend from Los Angeles, Rafael Noble, in the lead "voice" role as Scipio Jones. Additionally, they would give me updates on the production and get my input on different things, even tiny details like the correct pronounciation of a legal term used in the script. They were very attentive. Based on our mutual agreement, some aspects of the production were pushed back to ensure the quality of the final product, but we still hope to catch the last part of the San Luis Obispo festival for a broadcast on KCBX.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: I wrote an 85 page draft in three weeks, which is very fast for me. When I went back and read the 1923 Supreme Court decision associated with that case, the factual summary by the Court just lept off the page. I could "see" the three act structure and I wrote out a skeletal outline in one afternoon. As I wrote the draft, I researched the cases on the internet and read books on the subject. I continue to rewrite, but it was the initial draft that I entered in the UCLA competition.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: I use Final Draft 7. I've experimented with Celtex and it seems promising, but I generally use Final Draft.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I've always heard that writers should "write every day" but to be honest, I don't. I write in spurts, after I visualize a scene or sequence. When I'm inspired, I might crank out 10 pages in one sitting. But the daily interruptions and responsibilities make it tough to set aside a regular part of the day to write.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I get writer's block all the time. Deadlines help me deal with it. Whether it's a friend who agrees to follow the story as it develops or volunteering pages for my writers' group, having a deadline really motivates me and makes me feel a sense of obligation to produce some pages. Sometimes I might pick out a competition, especially one with feedback, or a festival that I want to attend. Then I might target those with an idea of getting a script ready to submit.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I started writing screenplays three years ago. I received a Certificate in Feature Film Writing from UCLA's Extension program in 2009 and I'm also a licensed attorney. I've written two other screenplays: "The Knuckleballer," a sports biopic about Gene Bearden and the 1948 Cleveland Indians, which won last year's California Independent Film Festival competition; and "Hunting Blind," an action/thriller that I'm still rewriting and polishing.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I don't live in Los Angeles and don't have current plans to move there. I'd love to get some "telecommuting" writing assignments. I'm hoping to be able to write and be available to travel to Los Angeles as needed. In that regard, I'm still looking for an agent or manager.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I've got ideas for new scripts in various genres. I mentioned "Hunting Blind," my most recent script, which is a modern day cautionary tale about vigilante justice: "A hunting vacation turns deadly when a group of businessmen, isolated by a blizzard on a remote Texas ranch, encounter a suspected child-abductor as they are stalked by a vicious cougar."
Posted Friday, March 5, 2010
