|
I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter ....
when I started walking out of half the movies I was seeing.
I know I've succeeded....
when I sell a script.
My inspiration to write EVERY FIFTH DAY.....
I wanted to write a baseball story that hadn't been
done. Originally it was about a pitcher who threw a 130mph fastball. Then I realized the real story was
about the guy who had to catch him.
*****************************************************************
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Dan Wedeking: I've been writing (or attempting to write) since I was
five. I'm very creative and plus, if I ever end up in prison, I want to have a skill to pass the time.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself to write your first script?
Dan Wedeking: Read everything. Not just script writing books, but
books on grammar, writing in general, other scripts and learned to type fast. Then I hit on a lot of
really hot women so I could learn to deal with rejection well.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to complete?
Dan Wedeking: This is not my first script. I've written about 25
full screenplays, another 25 partial scripts and I've got notes for another 50 scripts on my hard drive. The
first draft of this script I did in about two weeks. It was the rewriting that took time. It was fun,
though, because I like the subject matter.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Dan Wedeking: I have no routine. I find I write best either early in
the morning or late at night. I do lots of notes and research and then just write. I like to get hopped up
on coffee while I'm writing too. I then type around 100 words per minute so I can get a lot done.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring
screenwriters and why?
Dan Wedeking: Yes, it's a venue to get your stuff read by someone
who can do something for you.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
FilmMakers.com / The Radmin Company Screenwriting Competition?
Dan Wedeking: It appeared to be a good contest with wonderful, wonderful judges,
spectacular and beautiful, whom I put on a pedestal next to Mother Theresa.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Dan Wedeking: I don't know if I'd "urge" them to read anything, but
some good scripts are "Marathon Man," "Thelma and Louise," "12 Angry Men," "L.A. Story," "Sling Blade,"
"Good Will Hunting," "Groundhog Day," "Dances with Wolves," and even "Star Trek 2: Wrath of
Khan," (I'm not kidding, that script is really well written, the plot points are so well placed). Also, if you have
access to amateur scripts, read a lot of those so you can see what NOT to do.
FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
Dan Wedeking: I love DVDs, baseball, computers, animal rescue,
Frosted Mini-Wheats, long walks on the beach, candle lit dinners, romantic evenings by the fireplace...
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
Dan Wedeking: I don't really have a favorite, but I love William
Goldman. There's a lot of others I like, too many to list.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?
Dan Wedeking: Well, ANY director would be great, but if I had my
choice, the master, Martin Scorcese. I also love Lumet, Levinson, Cohen Bros. and a handful of others.
FilmMakers
Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Dan Wedeking:
I've written scripts with a number of actors in mind,
if I had to just pick one, it'd be Robert De Niro, but I also like to work with Eugene Levy, Bill Murray, Ben
Stiller, Gary Oldman, Gary Sinese, Morgan Freeman, Denzel and many others.
FilmMakers Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
Dan Wedeking:
Learn formatting and the three act structure. I'm a
firm believer in that. Read Syd Field's "Screenplay," Vicki King's "Writing a movie in 21 days," David
Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible" and also Field's "Four Screenplays" which I read once a year, a great
examination of four scripts that is really helpful. Write what you know, research everything and learn the
craft before you do anything. Your first two or three scripts are going to suck, so don't send anything out
until you've got a few under your belt. And rewrite. Writing is rewriting. And prepare for a lot of
rejection. Show biz is 95% rejection and if you can't handle it, than don't try and get in it.
FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?
Dan Wedeking: I'm hoping to take the filmmaker.com judges out for a
nice steak dinner, followed by backrubs and foot massages.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from now?
Dan Wedeking: If everything goes to plan, I will be the master of
all time, space and dimension. Then maybe later, go to Hawaii.
|
