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I knew I
wanted to be a screenwriter.......
when I discovered
that screenplays are a helluva lot more fun to write than novels
I know I've
succeeded.......
when I can make a living working at a
craft that I love.
My inspiration
to write WINGNUT.......
There is a Native
American saying that the story stalks the writer, and not the other
way around. This was certainly the case in my inspiration for WINGNUT.
The story came out incredibly fast. In just a few days…not counting
the many rewrites that came afterward. I also wanted to write a story
about a character with an extremely narrow character arc, whose
particular handicap, was diagnosed not by the writer—but by the viewer
(or in this case, the reader).
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Joseph
Costa: Moliere said: Writing is like prostitution: First you do it for love,
then for a few friends and finally you do it for money. Of course, I
haven’t sold any screenplays, so I guess I’m still doing it for love.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
Joseph Costa: I
read Chinatown by Robert Towne, and about 20 other screenplays. I also
memorized the book: The Complete Guide To Standard Script Formats Part
1 by Cole/Haag.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Is this your first script and how long did it take you to write
WINGNUT?
Joseph Costa:
No this it not my
first script, but it is my first short. The initial draft took a few
days, but a script is not done until it is produced.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Joseph Costa:
I’m a full time copywriter and producer with a wife
and kids. The only time I have is what I can steal in the middle of
the night. But when I’m into a project, a routine works best.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Joseph Costa:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
A writer always asks the question: “Am I untalented or just
undiscovered?” It is vitally important to get validation from folks in
the business. Let’s face it, there are around 70,000 scripts
registered with WGA each year and only a hand full of sales.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Joseph Costa:
Who doesn’t want their script to be called an American
Gem?
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Joseph Costa:
The important
thing is to read scripts…all kinds of scripts and here’s why. You will
read mediocre scripts that ended up as hit movies! And you will read
beautifully written scripts that bombed. That said, here’s my short
list:
Drama: The Godfather I and II (Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplays)
Mystery: Chinatown (Oscar Best Original Screenplay)
Comedy: The Big Lebowski (Not an Oscar winner, but one of my
favorites.)
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
Joseph Costa:
My family. They
provide all the inspiration necessary for a happy life.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
Joseph Costa: I
have too many favorites, but the movies listed above are a good
indication.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the director you would love to work with and why?
Joseph Costa:
Martin Scorsese, a
brilliant director with an incredible well of knowledge about film and
film history.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Joseph
Costa: Robert De Niro.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
Joseph Costa:
I have way too much to learn about the craft to start giving advice.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What's next for you?
Joseph
Costa: I am writing WINGNUT as a full-length screenplay. I don’t believe the
short tells the whole story about this character. After that, I have
two other concepts that I can’t wait to work on..
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from
now?
Joseph
Costa: If I write it
down, I might jinx it. |
