American Gem 2006 Short Screenplay Competition - THE OIAD SHOW

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Jeremy Montgomery

Runner Up

Jeremy Montgomery
of
Shanty Bay, ON, CANADA
Screenplay
THE OIAD SHOW
Horror
Biography:

Jeremy Montgomery was born in Toronto and raised in Barrie, Ontario. HeI wrote and acted in several high school performances, including an award winning version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” While he had always been interested in screenwriting, it wasn’t until he attended York University where he took some classes on it that he actually began to take his writing more seriously. After graduating school and working at a summer job in Barrie, he moved back to Toronto to gain experience as well as pursue a job in filmmaking. Over the course of the last year and half, he has worked on some promotional videos for a former employer and did some volunteer work with a small independent producer. As of now, he is still in Toronto and will be applying to post-grad this winter.

Interview

I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter.......  

I can’t remember an exact moment when I realized I wanted to do screenwriting. Stories and legends were always told to me as a child and they always fascinated me. I suppose it just makes sense to have gravitated towards writing.

 

I know I've succeeded.......  


When my words and imagery are translated onto the screen.
 


My inspiration to write THE OIAD SHOW.......

The dark side of human nature is something that has always intrigued me, and the scripts surrealist tone came from a variety of sources. From the writings of Neil Gaiman, theatre of the absurd, to the lyrics of the rock group the Mars Volta and Tool the story came together and practically wrote itself. I began with an image in my mind and then built around that.

 

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FilmMakers Magazine: What inspired you to write?

Jeremy Montgomery: Not specifically screenplays, but just writing in general I have always found to be such a powerful form of expression. It’s amazing what someone can get across in words, and even by saying so very little. Nevertheless I am very much a visual person, so screenwriting just seemed like the natural path to take.

FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to write your first script? 

Jeremy Montgomery: I don’t really have a mode of preparation for writing. Sometimes it just goes down without any thought. At other points I do a great deal of research and try to flesh out a history of my story before I even begin. My script writing classes helped a great deal in getting the ideas out onto paper as well.

FilmMakers Magazine: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to write THE OIAD SHOW?

Jeremy Montgomery: This is my first original script. I have written several adaptation treatments and have numerous ideas that are in the early stages and in the process of being worked out. The script was for a third year screenwriting class, and was written over the course of three weeks with constant revisions.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?

Jeremy Montgomery: I always try and set deadlines for myself, attempting a few pages a day, but I find I write better sporadically over periods of time. Still, the deadlines always help you accomplish things that much quicker.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?

Jeremy Montgomery: Of course. They offer a chance for a voice to be heard that might not even audible to studio executives. As well, it gives you a chance to see an unbiased view of your writing skills.

FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the American Gem Short Script Competition?

Jeremy Montgomery: I was at a lull in my attempts to break into the film industry so I decided to check out some screenwriting competitions and American Gem was the one that stood out the most to me.

FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?

Jeremy Montgomery: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Quite possibly one of the best scripts about relationships and its told in such a clever and original way.

FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?

Jeremy Montgomery: Music and philosophy. The former is like a drug to me, I can’t go a day without strumming on my guitar and listening to some hypnotic rockin’ music. Philosophy is where I tend to get most of my ideas from; reading writers opinions on human nature, reality, morality all serve as a great base for a story.

Lastly, just the entire process of filmmaking intrigues me. As I said, I am a very visual person and just creating that “eye candy,” using the manipulation of light and shadow is just a beautiful art form.

FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?

Jeremy Montgomery At the moment I would have to say Charlie Kaufmann. Every script is different, and highly original but still has the writers personal touch embedded into it.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?

Jeremy Montgomery: There are so many. Just to name a few: Terry Gilliam, David Fincher, Spielberg (my guilty pleasure). All of them bring something different and have their own ways about directing. I’m just curious to see how they all go about doing the same job.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?

Jeremy Montgomery: George Clooney. He has made some very smart decisions with projects he’s been involved in and with his recent venturing into directing and producing, I really consider him to be like the Orson Welles of today. Jack Nicholson would also just be a blast to have on the set.

FilmMakers Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?

Jeremy Montgomery: If you want to sell your script, know the proper formatting. No one is going to want to read the script if its full of formatting errors. Once you have that down, tell a story your passionate about and write what you know.

FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?

Jeremy Montgomery: Looking into some post-graduate film programs and at the moment working on a feature length screenplay.

FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from now?

Jeremy Montgomery: Who knows? I’ll tell you when I get there

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