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? Witchblood was born out of two ideas. For one, I enjoy writing horror/supernatural tales quite a bit, and I was drawn to the idea of writing a coming of age story in that genre. Secondly, I wondered what if a young person -- given up for adoption as an infant -- used an Ancestry.com type of search tool to find her true lineage? Only to discover that lineage was connected to a legacy of witches tracing all the way back to America's colonial origins. And that's how the journey for my main character, Hannah, began. As I developed the concept further, it became too big and grand to be a short story, and I always envisioned it as very cinematic from its inception. Grounded, authentic, but also a modern take on a coven of witches. I also felt that Hannah's journey was a great opportunity to craft a witch story that was very character-oriented. Yet while at the same time maintaining a moody, atmospheric, supernatural tone. 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 two months to write. And the subsequent drafts that followed have taken roughly the same amount of time. 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 genesis 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 write 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 entered The Wiki Screenplay Contest with my first 10 pages. I know how crucial these ten pages are for any writer, and how they're perceived in the industry. So I really wanted a professional opinion on what was working and what might need to be reconsidered. And based on the fantastic feedback that I received, I opted to reenter with a full script. 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. Favorite television series -- Taxi. I discovered this gem some years after its initial 1970s/80s run, but I really enjoy the chemistry among the ensemble cast. Great characters and humor. And as a native born New Yorker, I love shows set in my hometown. 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 developing a family feature that merges live action with animation. Another project I'm writing is a TV series involving a career criminal who finds himself an unlikely hero. In addition, I'm revising and rewriting previously written material. |
