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I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter ....
In sixth grade -- I tried to rewrite and film, "Raiders of the Lost Ark." I had cast myself in the role of director, writer, producer, and of course, Indy himself. It was a disaster. But I did have fun wrapping the bullwhip around the girl who was playing Marion.
I know I've succeeded....
The check clears -- sorry, that's the short answer. When I can get paid to do what I love, what's better than that?
My inspiration to write
Captive Moon.....
Came from a true-life incident: In 1995, the People's Republic of China kidnapped a young Tibetan boy after the Dalai Lama had proclaimed him as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama -- the 'moon' to the Dalai Lama's 'sun'. The boy was six at the time and has never been seen or heard from since.
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
James Morganelli: As a kid, I drew a lot. I was always a creative sort and I made up my own characters and stories. Eventually, I wanted to tell the stories that I was waiting to see. By college, a creative writing course challenged me to put them on paper, so I did.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself to write your first script?
James Morganelli: I had been involved in acting and video production for most of my life and had written scripts previously, but they had not been professional in any way. So, when I took my first college screenwriting course, I decided to get serious and really learn the format and craft. I wrote 'KENSEI' in one month. I remember I had this big candle I would light and keep next to me whenever I wrote. I was like, I'm gonna finish this script before this candle burns down. It actually helped motivate me and set the mood. My life became that script, everything else took a back seat until it was finished.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to complete?
James Morganelli: "Captive Moon" is my third script and I first had the idea back in 1995. How long until it was completed? I'm not sure it is. There's a saying I heard that goes something like, "Art is never really finished, it only reaches states of temporary satisfaction." The script has gone through a bunch of rewrites and may be in for more, but I like where it's at right now.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time
management for writing?
James Morganelli: Kind of. I like to go somewhere, usually a coffee shop or something, put my walkman on, and write my scripts in a notebook. By then I know my outline and have picked out appropriate music, which is huge with me. I'll spend an hour searching my cds for just the right song to inspire me for a particular scene. And if I don't have it, I'll go out and buy music on the spot that I think will. I see it as investing in my work, plus I wind up with a really kick-ass music library.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring
screenwriters and why?
James Morganelli: Definitely -- they get you on the map. Enter them. But be wary of the fly-by-night ones. Do the contests that have been around a few years.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
James Morganelli: Any and all. Every script has something to teach, even the bad ones, cuz they teach you what's bad, right? I mean, most of the time it's a given -- you're writing a romantic-comedy, so you read
romantic-comedies. But don't shut yourself off from everything else. Learn tone, rhythm, and timing from everything you read.
FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
James Morganelli: My Budo training is very important to me. In many ways, it has helped define me not only as a person, but as a writer as well, because I write like I practice Budo.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
James Morganelli: I have a bunch. Shane Black is one of my favorites. "Lethal Weapon" is a great script.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?
James Morganelli: There are so many talented directors. I recently saw 'Black Hawk Down' and was blown away with Ridley Scott's direction. The way the action and story were orchestrated is nothing short of incredible.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
James Morganelli: Jackie Chan -- hands down. He's been my hero since I was a kid watching, "Samurai Sunday" Kung Fu theater.
FilmMakers
Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
James Morganelli: Always write what you're passionate about. That way, at least if it never sells, you won't kick yourself for writing it.
FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?
James Morganelli: I just returned from a week of meetings in LA with some pretty high-profile folks. So, I'm hoping I planted seeds that will bear fruit.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be in six years from now?
James Morganelli: Hopefully, happy, healthy, and writing ... for a paycheck! Yeah, baby!
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