JEFF WALKER
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Born and raised just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my wife and I currently reside in Sunbury, Ohio. 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? The inspiration for REFLECTIONS was a tragic event that both shocked the world and created unbelievably horrifying situations for so many people. I was one of many who watched events unfold from afar and could only imagine how those in the middle of it found the strength to cope as they were presented with “no-win” decisions, all that end in their death. I felt a script could better set the pace for such a story where time, and thus reflection, is very short and incredibly precious. 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? My idea for REFLECTIONS came to me several years ago but I only put fingers to keyboard only in the last 6 months after I retired from my full-time job and could really focus. I have not written extensively but what tends to work best for me is first to define the theme I ultimately want to deliver. I’ll outline the story acts and situations that will contain and shape the message then build out the main character(s) to serve as the couriers. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? I strive to tell compelling stories that resonate with people that evoke emotions and introspection. Of course, like all writers, I would love to see my work eventually translated to film. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? My entry was a full script for a short film. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? Trying to narrow the field of my all-time favorite movie or TV show is very difficult but, with a gun to my head, I would have to say Ted Lasso. The show blended humor and drama masterfully with great storytelling and clever dialogue delivered by unique but relatable characters. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? My advice would be to not write with the intent of winning a contest. Focus on continuously evolving and improving your ability to tell a story that impacts people emotionally. Pursuing contests with your work is an excellent approach along the way to gain valuable feedback from industry professionals. Accept the good comments graciously but really dig deep into the criticisms, accept them and use them to make your script better. In fact, the comments I received through the Wiki Screenplay Contest were incredibly useful and have resulted in new draft of REFLECTIONS that has helped me improve the story pacing to enhance the desperation of the situation and the main character. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I have 2 or 3 nugget ideas that I am still shaping and that fall in or cross different categories of drama, suspense and sci-fi. I am realizing my passion at this time is to focus on short film scripts as it forces both creativity and greater clarity in my writing. I find it both exciting and challenging to explore and deliver emotional themes or messages within a limited framework. |
