American Gem 2008 Short Screenplay Competition Winners - THE LAST GOODBYE

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Ben Cox

Ninth Place Winner

Ben Cox
of Northridge, CA
Screenplay
THE LAST GOODBYE
Drama
Biography:

Ben Cox was born in Memphis TN and moved to Los Angeles CA in 2002 to pursue his various artistic interests. Having a love of both film and theatre, he is an actor, writer, and director in both fields. He has written numerous screenplays and stage plays. His feature length horror script, “Fear Itself,” was one of the Top 100 in the 2007 Slamdance Horror Competition. He just finished a successful run of “The Seven,” a play collection of seven short plays, each based off of one of the seven deadly sins, which he wrote and directed. It premiered August of this year at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood CA.

He received an ACTF nomination for his performance as Argan in “The Imaginary Invalid” at Cal State Northridge. He is also a musician, playing piano and guitar and composing instrumental works, with a few songs here and there.
Ben loves being outdoors and exploring new terrain. He also likes to cook when he gets the chance.

Interview

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

when I was a teenager. I’ve always loved film since I was a kid and I love creating stories.

 

I know I've succeeded.......  

when I am satisfied with my work and also get to see and hear the enjoyment of others who experience my work.

 

My inspiration to write THE LAST GOODBYE.......

I think one of the biggest tests of the strength and durability of a relationship is distance. For high school sweethearts, this is an even greater feat if one of them moves away upon graduation or their family moves or whatever.

I have known a number of people who had long-distance relationships and observed how theirs worked (or didn’t). Probably the most direct inspiration was one of my friends who moved to England to study abroad for a year. About three months in, she met a man and they developed a relationship even though they knew she would be coming back to the states at some point. When the time finally came for her to move back, they had to face how this affected their relationship. In the end, they both kind of resigned and accepted the fact that for them, it wasn’t going to work. (Though, they are still friends and keep in touch.)

 

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FilmMakers Magazine: What inspired you to write?

Ben Cox: Inspiration for me can come from anywhere. Music is always a useful tool and being out in nature really allows me to clear my head and think creatively. But ideas can come from anywhere. It can be a sign, the image of a person, something someone says, a couple at dinner at a restaurant, a dimly lit road, anything can give me a nugget of inspiration. You never know where it’ll come from next.

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

Ben Cox: Oh wow, that was so long ago. You know, I believe I wrote my first script on a manual typewriter. The first thing was probably making sure the d*mn thing worked.

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

Ben Cox: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to complete? No, not my first. This one took me less than a week.

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

Ben Cox: Nope. Honestly, my ‘process’ changes from project to project. It just depends on what I feel I need to do for each particular story. I wrote one short script in four hours. Sometimes a project can take weeks. Usually when I get an idea, I work off of that and develop it and see where it goes. I want to see what the story is and develop some of what it’s going to be before I start the actual writing process. But I don’t make a point of having to write a set amount per day or anything. It really just varies.

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

Ben Cox: Oh, very much so. One of the primary benefits is that it gets work out there and read that might have a harder time getting seen by agents/managers / producers and the like. It gets the work exposed. It also can provide valuable feedback and encouragement to writers.

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

Ben Cox: I’d heard of it before and it seemed very reputable and legit.

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

Ben Cox: Whew! So many. But I would have to say “Almost Famous” by Cameron Crowe. I can’t think of a better writer who does such a finely nuanced job of portraying the relationships that people share. He manages to do so on such a truthful and human level. Amazing!

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

Ben Cox: I also love acting and directing. I love art in general. I love the freedom of expression of thoughts, ideas, and emotions.

FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?

Ben Cox: Cameron Crowe. Again, he does a great job of portraying truth in how people relate.

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

Ben Cox: Cameron Crowe. See above.

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

Ben Cox:
Kevin Spacey is brilliant at creating a character and bringing him to life. He is a chameleon with such a diverse range of characters. 

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

Ben Cox: Love what you do. Observe the world around you. One of the greatest assets a writer can have is to notice the world he or she lives in. Just sit down and watch people. Watch nature.  Breathe. Again, love what you do. And if you do love what you do…..never give up.

FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?

Ben Cox:
 I’m seeing where the road takes me.

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

Ben Cox:
Doing what I love and happy with where I am…Making a little more money would be nice, too.

 

2008 WINNERS

 
 

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