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I knew I
wanted to be a screenwriter.......
I know I've
succeeded.......
in beginning to
understand how a successful screenplay is written and how hard it is
to write one.
My inspiration
to write
TELL NO TALES.......
was the desire to
write a noir screenplay so black that it shone brilliantly. A ‘not
your typical Hollywood screenplay’ that truly drew the reader into the
dark story and left him wanting more.
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
James M.
O'Donoghue: an active imagination which helped greatly when acting found another
outlet in short stories and screenplays.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
James M. O'Donoghue: To prepare myself to write my first script I bought "The Screenwriter’s
Bible" by David Trottier.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Is this your first script and how long did it take you to write
TELL NO TALES?
James M. O'Donoghue:
This is not my first script and only took a few days to write. The
re-writing though took several months off and on.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
James M. O'Donoghue: I write when an idea comes to me. Sometimes I’ll play with it a bit then
put it down for awhile. Other times I tear into it every moment I can
spare.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
James M. O'Donoghue:
Screenplay contests are a way of getting your work read by people who
know what they are looking at. To do well in a Screenplay Contest like
American Gem is a ‘recommendation’ for someone else to feel that your
screenplay is worth a read. Win or lose you can never tell what it may
lead to.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
James M. O'Donoghue:
I like
challenges and writing a good short screenplay is one I truly enjoy.
The American Gem Screenplay Contest has a great reputation and is
known as a class act with some very tangible results.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
James M. O'Donoghue:
I haven’t had the
chance to read the script myself but probably reading "Memento" would
be a good idea. Nolan keeps it tight and makes you work along with
him. There are so many points where he could have lost it but he
didn’t.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
James M. O'Donoghue:
I love writing short stories, acting and photography. I also enjoy
Martial Arts, studying Aikido and Kendo and hold the rank of Shodan in
World Oyama Karate.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
James M. O'Donoghue:
When it comes to
Screenwriters it is very hard for me to pick just one. Akira Kurosawa
for not only his body of work but also for the inspiration he gave
others. John Huston penned several classics. David Cronenberg and
David Lynch are always exciting and edgy.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the director you would love to work with and why?
James M. O'Donoghue:
There are several great Directors who are capable of making magic with
a script. Having to choose just one I would have to go with Martin
Scorsese. I have been enthralled by his film work for over 30 years.
He has a beautiful eye for a Scene and a great sense of energy and
flow in his work.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
James M.
O'Donoghue: Albert Finney
would be my choice for the Actor I would most like to work with. In
films such as "Under the Volcano" and "A Man of No Importance" Finney
shows that the key to successful acting is honesty. Similar to writing
a screenplay is understanding your characters, their goals and what
makes them tick. Don’t play for the camera but for the truth. Alec
Guinness, James Cagney and Laurence Olivier are truly legends.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
James M. O'Donoghue:
Buy "The Screenwriters
Bible", watch lots of movies, buy lots of popcorn. Hey, you’re not
goofing off or loafing – you’re researching. Write whatever comes to
mind as it comes to mind; it’s the rewrites that count.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What's next for you?
James M.
O'Donoghue:
Next for me
will hopefully be more of the same.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from
now?
James M.
O'Donoghue: Five years from
now is a long time. I hope to be alive and well.
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