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I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter........
after seeing my one of my plays
performed on stage. I never thought about writing for the screen before that.
Now I’ve gotten myself into such a groove, I don’t know if I’d even be
interested in writing for the stage again.
I know I've succeeded........
when I’m sitting at my computer laughing out
loud or tears are streaming down my face and my dog is looking at me like I’m
insane.
My inspiration to write THE SHORES OF
ILLYRIA.......
started with a trip to Plymouth Rock
with my daughter Neve’s fifth grade class. While there, a chance encounter
with a Buddhist monk brought the two of us together in a way we never
anticipated. It was very moving and still resonates in both our lives.
Sometimes an idea begins as an odd event that churns in the subconscious and
comes out in unexpected ways. My daughter still wears the bracelet given to
her by the monk. My gift was The Shores Of Illyria.
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Richard Flynn: A lifetime of reading and a love of character.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself to write your first script?
Richard Flynn: What did you do to prepare yourself to write
your first script? I spent a lot of time developing character. Having
been an actor is a great advantage in that regard. Writing fully
realized characters makes writing seem less like work. I often find my
characters dictate where the story is going. Sometimes I almost feel
more like an editor than a writer.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to complete?
Richard Flynn: Is this your first script and how long did it
take you to complete? This was my first screenplay. I’ve also written
several plays. It took about four months to write The Shores Of
Illyria. Rewriting doesn’t stop. I’ve written four screenplays since
finishing The Shores Of Illyria a year ago.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Richard Flynn:
Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing? I
like to write in the afternoon - for about four or five hours. I
usually have some kind of ambient music in the background. I start by
rewriting my work from the previous day. By the time I’ve finished my
rewrites, I’m writing. I always stop while there’s still some gas in
my tank.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring
screenwriters and why?
Richard Flynn: Do you believe screenplay contests are important
for aspiring screenwriters and why? Aside from the obvious benefit of
helping promote ones work, being noticed is really a validation for
all my hard work. It’s so easy to get too close to your own work and
lose perspective or confidence.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
FilmMakers International Screenwriting Awards?
Richard Flynn: I did some research online and was
very selective in where I put my work. (And money.)
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Richard Flynn: What script would you urge aspiring writers to
read and why? Casablanca. Philip Epstein and his brother Julius were
legendary characters who created legendary characters. A footnote.
Their love/hate relationship with Jack Warner is a script waiting to
happen.
FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
Richard Flynn: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate
about and why? My wife Jane and my three beautiful kids. I try not to
take any of it granted.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
Richard Flynn: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why? Billy
Wilder could write comedy and drama equally well. Jack Lemmon said he
never heard of an actor changing one of Wilder’s lines.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?
Richard Flynn: Name the director you would love to work with
and why? The Coen Brothers. There’s a kind of quirky integrity to
their work that I admire and try to emulate in my writing.
FilmMakers
Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Richard Flynn: Name the actor you would love to work with and
why? It’s hard to name just one. Robert Duvall has always been one of
my favorite actors. He has unlimited range and fierce emotional
honesty. I never saw him make a wrong move.
FilmMakers Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
Richard Flynn: Any tips and things learned along the way to
pass on to others? Having faith and confidence in your writing is a
constant battle you have to win. I don’t care who you are.
FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?
Richard Flynn: What's next for you? Having a screenplay
optioned would be nice. In the meantime, I write.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from now?
Richard Flynn: I only know where I’d like to be five years from
now. Every day now is spent with that in mind. |
