THOMAS MCCONE
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
T’bilisi, Georgia. 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? After reading the Bible, I was struck by how detached from reality the Gospels felt. I started to imagine what really could have happened in that specific time in Jerusalem. I imagined Jesus as not being a divine being but instead a deluded young man who spoke too far and was simply executed for blasphemy by the High Priest. He was just another man claiming to be something he wasn’t. That was the initial inspiration and things went from there. I wrote a script because it felt very visual and it was the format I was most comfortable with. 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 was written in 4-5 days. I wrote it with my twin brother sitting across from me. We like to talk out our ideas and so the majority of the time we were just talking to eachother and trying to flesh out ideas and scenes. Once we had talked out a scene, I would then write it and he would either approve or disapprove or want me to make some changes. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? Most importantly, I would like to get very good at the craft for my own sake. I want to tell unique, bizarre stories that make people think. I know in order to tell them well I have to get very good at my craft. I would obviously love to get my scripts made into films and just experience that entire process. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? Ten pages. Though I had full scripts I did not think they were as strong as the short. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? Favorite movie: Incendies. I don’t think there is any movie which has had me pacing up and down as this one did. Even if you don’t smoke, you’ll feel the need for a cigarette after. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? I would say to submit more often because not only does it give you a chance to win but it can also give you an idea of how your work is being perceived. Whether the response is positive or negative, it’s something to work with and from there you can get better. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I’m working on turning ‘Caiaphas’ into a feature length script. |
