Screenplays
Numerous completed screenplays of a wide range of topics and tones—part of an ongoing challenge to study and try a new genre each year.
Each draft is about a year, give or take. I spend about three-four months researching the genre and themes I want to write bout, in parallel defining the overall arch and character archetypes.
The second stage is outlining the plot—over the course of about 15 outline drafts, I expand from a simple two-page “two-minute draft” to a fuller (50-60 pages) outline with each step and beat plotted.
Stage three is actually writing the screenplay—it’ usually takes me about 3-4 agonizing months of putting the initial draft on paper, plus 2-3 more enjoyable months of editing and rewriting.
PROCESS
“FINISHED” (WE’RE NEVER TRULY FINISHED) SCREENPLAYS
Mudslinger — Political Dark Comedy, scored an 6 on The Black List for being “a good sample of writing ability but too odd and focused on politics to appeal to a wide audience,” which I definitely take as a compliment
Love Revolts — RomCom / Adventure, scored a 5 on The Black List for being a “very fun, cute script” with “fun tone and whimsical” narrative
Too Much America: Behind The Glory— Half documentary, half made-for-public-access philosophical slaptsick fiction web series. In production.
Cello on Vacation—Short family drama about a musician’s futile efforts to make his grandson love music over video-gaming. In development hell.
D.F. 1994— Coming-of-age teen drama set in Mexico City’s underground 90’s rock and punk scene
Sturbridge PD— Police dramedy about a small-town police department in a town where all the criminals are privileged teens
Revolution, Anyone?— War film chronicling an imagined attempted insurgency in Yellowstone Park
Carmen: The Movie (produced as a student film)— Unauthorized adaptation of “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego,” set on the UChicago Campus and serving as a satire on the school’s administrators. Self-produced and directed in 2008.