DANIEL GESSNER
 DANIEL GESSNER
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
New York, NY Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story, and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? My father spent years selling cars at various used-car dealerships, so I grew up immersed in that world: the culture, the hustle, the unwritten rules of the business. Some of the story’s characters and situations were inspired by anecdotes he shared. I chose to write it as a screenplay because the story felt inherently visual and character- driven. The dialogue, larger-than-life personalities, and environment seemed better suited to the screen than to a short story or novel. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? The script took about five years to evolve into its final form. It began as a short screenplay, but after receiving positive feedback and winning several awards, I realized there was a much larger story to be told. My co-writer, Kyle Campbell, a talented writer and car journalist I worked with at the time, also saw its potential. Together, we expanded it into a teleplay and series. My writing process usually starts with an outline and a series of bullet points. Before I start scripting, I like to make sure every act and scene serves a specific purpose and moves the story forward. Only then do I start with the “FADE IN.” That said, screenwriting is rarely a completely linear process. Certain moments, characters, or lines of dialogue will sometimes come to me long before the script is fully formed, and I make a point of writing those down right away. Often, those early ideas end up becoming some of my favorite parts of the finished script. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? My immediate ambition is to see this pilot and its first season brought to life on screen. This world and characters have grown so much over the years that I’d definitely like to continue developing them across multiple seasons and fully realize the story’s potential. Beyond this project, my goal is to build a career creating original, character-driven television. I have other pilots in the final stages of development, and I’m hopeful that they, too, will eventually find homes with producers and audiences. At the heart of it all, I want to tell stories that entertain people and stay with them after the credits roll. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? I chose to submit the full script rather than just the first ten pages. While the opening is designed to grab readers immediately, I wanted the teleplay to be evaluated as a complete work. For me, the real strength of the pilot lies not only in the hook, but in how the characters, storylines, and themes develop from beginning to end. Submitting the full script gave me valuable feedback on how close the project is to being production-ready. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? My favorite movie is City of God. I've never seen a crime drama that feels like it effortlessly keeps viewers glued to the screen for over two hours, with relentless energy, tension, and momentum. From its opening scenes to its unforgettable conclusion, it never lets go of your attention, no matter what type of films you prefer. What makes the film even more remarkable is that many of its cast members were non-professional actors. Despite that, the performances feel authentic and emotionally powerful. To me, that’s a testament not only to Fernando Meirelles’ incredible direction, but also to the strength of the adapted screenplay. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Know what the real story you're writing about is. My story isn't simply about slimy car salesmen. Yes it is a story about cars and the people who sell them. But it’s also about desperation and American ingenuity. It’s a group of people scraping by one sale, one package, one dollar at a time, with skills just as useful on both sides of the law. That said, never lose sight of the entertainment factor. Themes and subtext matter, but readers have to want to keep turning the page. A great script should make people think, but first it has to make them care. If you can combine a compelling underlying message with memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and an engaging story, you give yourself the best chance of standing out. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I'm finishing a crime-drama pilot set in 1950s Detroit at the height of the city's fur boom.While the auto industry built Detroit's public image, a parallel empire of furriers, warehouses, tanneries, and vaults generated enormous wealth behind the scenes. The series explores the magnates, managers, hustlers, and entrepreneurs fighting for a piece of that world. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gessner/ |
