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I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter.......
when I was introduced to the artistic realm of film, not only in the therapeutic expression for the the artist but also in the subjectively impressionistic experience for the audience member. My doorway into this realm was P.T. Anderson's Magnolia, the film that has revolutionized not only the way I think about films but also the way I perceive the world. I've also been enticed by the craft of writing ever since I was a child. It is a beautiful medium of expression that is slowly fading away. I am only grateful and encouraged of film's power to merge literature with the visual arts.
I know I've succeeded.......
when I find myself twenty years from now, still struggling with the same questions but with dimensions of more maturity and depth that I can only achieve through a stronger relationship with Christ and a medium to express myself, screenwriting.
My inspiration to write SHADES OF GRAY.......
was deeply rooted in my struggles with the notion of "redemption", and the relativity that comes with that word in our society today. Shades of Gray is a reflection of my own beliefs and struggles regarding that word, and I only hope that it will challenge the graven philosophies of others.
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FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
John Rhym: As a growing teenager, I've always treasured the craft of writing. It's developed from a form of entertainment to a form of deep, personal reflection.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
John Rhym:
Shades of Gray actually is my first script. In order to write it, I had to reflect upon my struggles with sin and redemption. It was a difficult process for me; one that was both emotionally and spiritually challenging. Therefore, I resorted to prayer in times of vulnerability.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is
this your first script and how long did it take you to write SHADES OF GRAY?
John Rhym: Yes, it is. It took me well over four months. It was a very spiritual process, and I still can't convince myself that I am truly finished with the piece.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
John Rhym: Because I am a student, time for actually sitting down and writing is from whatever spare time I can find. However, I believe that every moment of my life, whether it's a significant moment in time or one that is mundane, either directly or indirectly affects my mode of thought. Therefore, because I believe I am constantly exploring myself, I believe that I am constantly developing my writing.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
John Rhym: Yes. It is absolutely essential for writers like me to have an opportunity to be heard. With such a large, booming industry, my immediate presumption is that nobody has time for a nobody like me. However, contests like the American Gem serve as possible doorways, not only for success in monetary terms but also success in terms of personal achievement.
FilmMakers Magazine: What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
John Rhym: With this being my first experience with any script competitions, I wanted to send my screenplay into one that I could trust. With FOX's name attached to it,
there was a great sense of reliability. Also, reading some of the great things that people had to say about the American Gem contest was really encouraging.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
John Rhym: As far as the technical structure of screenplays go, I'd say any well-known screenplay could be useful. For an example of a master screenwriter who displays a great deal of love and skill for the art, David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross is a great way to go. For an example of just a great auteur who utilizes both the visions of a writer and director, watch PT Anderson's Magnolia and then, read the screenplay.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you
passionate about and why?
John Rhym:
I am passionate about my doubts, my struggles, and my pursuit of further challenging my intellect to reach a spiritual relationship with God that transcends abstract thought. These passions that have been merged with the ability to express myself through the craft of screenwriting have only humbled me to realize my great need for Christ.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
John Rhym:
My favorite Screenwriter is PT Anderson. I find that it is rare for a filmmaker to possess the gifts of both an insightful writer and a visionary director. PT Anderson is one of the few in this country who not only
possesses both visions but also has the passion to share them.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
John Rhym: PT Anderson...as if I haven't mentioned him enough. I think it would be a great honor just to see him at work. I don't think I'd ever feel too good about my scripts to the point where I think they'd be worthy of his attention, but I would love to just be on the set and see how he utilizes everyone and everything around him to bring a film to life.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
John Rhym: Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I think he's one of the greatest actors in America, and surely enough, the rest of the country will realize this and he will get the credit
and applause he deserves. He is just an incredibly talented and versatile actor, bringing characters to life that vary all over the spectrum.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
John Rhym:
Immerse yourself in cinema. Bergman, Tarkovsky, Felini, Kubrick, Kurosawa, and many other master filmmakers present us with visions that grasp an original and foundational philosophy of film, focusing on the detailed development of the content and also always respecting the form in which they choose to express themselves. The reasons why you aspire to be a screenwriter should always centralize in a reverence for film and writing as mediating forms of expression and also in a love for your own desires, shortcomings, and humanity, whether its intellectual, spiritual, or emotional.
FilmMakers Magazine:
What's next for you?
John Rhym: I will quite possibly enter the screenplay, Shades of Gray, into other contests and see how I do. Also, there are other screenplays that I have already written, and I'm hoping Shades of Gray will serve as a catalyst for agents or producers to read them. I've finished writing my second feature-length screenplay, and I'll probably spend much time editing and re-writing it. After that, I will move on in developing new ideas into scripts.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from
now?
John Rhym: That's quite possibly one of the most difficult questions anyone can ask me right now. Quite honestly, I do not know, but what I do know is that until then, I will never cease to keep struggling with my thoughts, fighting with my own demons, and writing, writing, writing
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