when I have earned wide release
theatrical distribution for my third film. After my third I’ll know
that I’m in the business to stay. (The rule of threes seems befitting
of both true life and fiction.)
My inspiration to write THE SUICIDE
DIARY.......
was a culmination of two
years’ personal events. I had been close to someone who went through
bankruptcy and had a front row seat to the turmoil and breakdown that results
from financial distress. At the same time I was struggling with my own
internal conflict of working a job to pay the bills versus pursuing my passion
for screenwriting. The Suicide Diary represents an intersection of these
themes. It is a story about trying to heal the hurt in your life with material
possessions, sex, relationships, and lies; a story ultimately about the hope
that we all have experienced at one time or another for something tomorrow
that is better than what we have today; a story about being tempted to
reinvent yourself and leave all the baggage behind.
*****************************************************************
FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Joseph C. Keller: I cannot enjoy any type of narrative medium
without being inspired to create something myself. Since an early age
I’ve mimicked my favorite comic book artists, attempted to imitate my
favorite screenwriters, and worked to reproduce the style and quality
of my favorite photographers. I’m inspired to write by the
possibilities the world has to offer: all of the millions of stories
that weave through our daily lives and serve as a means to connect us
all by their universal commonality.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
Joseph C. Keller:
I wrote my
first screenplay while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan.
I took a page from Orson Welles’ book and studied my favorite films
and screenplays over and over again, attempting to identify the common
elements which seemed to work best for a given narrative. The writing
style I employed for my first screenplay is a far cry from the style I
maintain today, but it was the foundation for my understanding of the
craft and my first step into the world of writing.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is
this your first script and how long did it take you to write THE
SUICIDE DIARY?
Joseph C. Keller:
The Suicide
Diary is my fifth short. It took about three days to work through the
details in an outlined fashion, and then two days to write the first
draft. I then reworked the script over the course of three weeks,
tweaking here and there to suit the theme and narrative, letting
things sit until they were fully baked.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Joseph C. Keller:
My writing routine varies depending on the stage of the project. Early
on I tend to write on paper, scrawling outlines and working through
plot points. As the script develops I start writing, beginning slowly
and then increasing the number of pages per day as I learn more about
my characters and gain confidence in the story. Eventually the story
comes together like a puzzle taking shape. Early morning or late at
night seem to be the most productive writing times for me.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Joseph C. Keller:
Screenplay contests are absolutely important for aspiring
screenwriters. These contests provide a means for emerging artists to
gain confidence in their work and to acquire a foot hold in the
industry. They also serve as an excellent resume piece to inspire
confidence in project investors.
FilmMakers Magazine: What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Joseph C. Keller:
One of the members of the North Carolina Screenwriter’s group, Will
Hicks, introduced me to a screenplay competition website that included
the American Gem competition. After performing some research I felt
confident that American Gem was a ‘must-apply’ competition.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Joseph C. Keller:
I would urge aspiring writers to read American Beauty by Alan Ball.
The script does a nice job of telling the story in an entertaining way
with strong dialogue and visual description that is succinct yet
poignant. After reading American Beauty I would hand them a copy of
Magnolia by PT Anderson given the writer’s penchant for character
development through visuals and dialogue and quirky situations. He’s
also just a fun read.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you
passionate about and why?
Joseph C. Keller:
I illustrate comic books, direct short films, and take photographs
when I am not writing. I have a constant desire to create, regardless
of the visual medium, and like to try my hand at as many disciplines
as possible.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
Joseph C. Keller:
My favorite screenwriter is undoubtedly PT Anderson. His narratives
bend Hollywood conventions and always strike an emotional chord with
me. By the end of a PT Anderson film I am in the character’s head,
feeling his or her emotions.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
Joseph C. Keller:
I would be thrilled to work with Steven Soderbergh. Soderbergh’s films
always push the envelope between Hollywood and independent. He is not
afraid to experiment. The Limey is one of my favorite films, exploring
fragmented time in a way that heightens the main character’s
desperation and underscores the impact of the past on the present.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Joseph C. Keller: I would be thrilled to work with Mark Ruffalo.
Mark seems to bring this amazing intensity to all of his roles;
something that transcends the dialogue and works within the nuance of
character. I always imagine that he knows exactly what the character
would have in his pocket at a given moment, which shoe he ties first,
or how he combs his hair.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
