JAMES C. BOYD
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Kingsville, Maryland

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 inspiration for this story came from the idea of capturing how even those closest to you—friends
and family—might not truly understand what you're going through. Everyone has their own battles, and
often, by the time they realize something is wrong, it's too late. This story aims to highlight the
complex layers that can exist within a horror narrative.

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?
This story was born over the course of two months, with the rough draft coming together in scattered bursts of inspiration. Thirteen revisions later, I finally felt it was complete—though I’m still not sure I fully understand my own writing process. The concept arrived in fragments and flashes, without any structured method like index cards or a whiteboard. I had never written anything before, so I simply downloaded "Final Script" and stumbled through it, starting with "fade in," and letting the story guide me from there.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate ambition—though some might call it ambitious—is to write, act, and direct feature films. Not exactly a modest goal, especially for someone who unexpectedly took up acting at 44 years old. After landing a few roles in indie films, I felt inspired to try my hand at writing my own scripts, with the dream of one day starring in and directing them myself.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”?
Why did you make that choice?
I submitted a full script for my horror-psychological thriller short film, The Ones You Don’t See. I
chose the full script route because it was finally at a point where I felt comfortable sharing it
with the world.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
I love some many different styles of movies and TV its hard to choose. My all time favorite movie is
"Fight Club". But I can always watch movies like "This Is Where I Leave You" and shows such as "True Detective and "Stranger Things". Also, a huge fan of 80's movies.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you
have?
I'm not sure I'm qualified to give writing advice. I have no formal education in it, and this is the first thing I've ever written with real intent. "Imposter syndrome" is very real, and I still struggle to feel comfortable calling myself a writer. The only advice I can offer is simple: just start. It’ll probably be bad at first. But if you're willing to be bad in the beginning, you might have what it takes to push through and improve.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?​
I’m currently working on two full-length feature films. One of them has been living in my mind for over twenty years—I've played the entire movie in my head countless times, and I’m finally getting it down on paper. It requires a bit of research, which is slowing the writing process. The second film is much darker, and the story has been evolving as I write. It's exciting because even I don't know where it's going to end up.

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