RICHARD HOHENRATH

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Cary, North Carolina, USA

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 Morph Trouble came from my love of sci-fi adventure. But I specifically wanted to tell a story that featured an average family caught up in extraordinary circumstances. The themes of growth, change and personal responsibility are directly linked to the main character of Paul. His family is flawed, fractured, and on the verge of a major transition. Yet they manage to rally together and overcome their obstacles in an attempt to save their son. From its very inception Morph Trouble was always intended as a feature, so that’s the path I took in its development.

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 initial draft took six weeks to write. And the subsequent revisions took a little less time than that. As for my writing process, I write all of my scripts longhand in marble composition notebooks. I find that I get into a much better creative flow with a pen in hand and writing on paper. Which also allows me to have the origins of all my scripts on physical paper. From start to finish. Filled with alternate ideas, action lines and dialogue as secondary options. Then I transfer my work to Final Draft. I also outline considerably before writing FADE IN. Index cards are also used as a guide when tracking my character arcs.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I love the challenge of screenwriting. It's creatively rewarding, and I love crafting stories in multiple genres. My goal is to become a working writer of feature films that connect with audiences. To give them an experience. And hopefully inspire others to follow creative pursuits of their own. I've also enjoyed expanding the scope of my work into television scripts and shorts.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
I sent Morph Trouble in as a full script. In the past I’ve done both 10 pages and full, but in this instance I sent it in as a full script because of the great feedback that I’ve received from the Wiki on other projects. I felt that the entirety of the script needed solid feedback.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
Favorite movie -- Star Wars (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope). Not only do I adore this film, but I credit it for jump-starting my creative endeavors. It has so many wonderful elements going for it. Visual style, the humor, the action, the hints of romance, the sense of swashbuckling adventure and discovery. It will always remain my favorite. (Honorable Mentions: Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Godfather)

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
You want your script to look and read as professional as possible. Watch for spelling errors and make sure the formatting is correct. That said, even if your script fails to place in a competition, don't be discouraged or give up hope. It's important to stay the course and keep writing. I've failed many times before earning my first placement. So I would advise getting professional notes and learn from whatever mistakes you made. Strive to become better. And as always, keep rewriting, rewriting, rewriting.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Currently I'm writing a thriller, and following that up with a very experimental cosmic horror feature. I’m also developing a short film with another writer that we hope to film later this year. I’m also revising and rewriting previously written material.