DOUG MILES

ALSO ON SITE

1. What is your screenplay about?

With his clients almost assuredly facing the hangman, a criminal lawyer faces a moral dilemma. How far will he go to save their lives? Before it is over, the lawyer finds himself fighting in court for his own survival.

This is the fact-based story of the Clarence Darrow jury bribery trial that grew out of the unionist bombing of the Los Angeles Times in 1910. It's a courtroom drama where some of the most heated conflicts arise not between the defense and the prosecution, but between the defendant and his own attorney. Told from the point-of-view of the young woman journalist with whom Darrow is conducting an affair, it's a story fueled by the flaws of many of its characters.

2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay?

When I started researching this story, I saw that the real life characters behind this story presented a mother lode of drama, conflict and humor to be mined.

Plus I was fascinated by the parallel issues -- the disparity between rich and poor, the corporate control of government, the hyper-partisan climate of the country -- that still resonate so loudly 100 years later. History always does repeat itself.

3. How long have you been writing screenplays?

This is actually my first screenplay in over ten years. It represents over two years of research and writing several drafts. Before that I had written a variety of scripts going back another ten years or more. (dating myself, eh?)

4. What is you all-time favorite film? (name only one)

Name only one? You're kidding, right? OK -- how about the best Alfred Hitchcock film that Hitchcock didn't make -- Charade.

5. What artist in the film industry would you love to work with?

Tom Hanks

6. How many screenplays have you written?

Counting collaborations and some rewrite work about a dozen.

7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?

On a beach in Mexico emailing it in.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I'd have to say I'm a proponent of the Dorothy Parker school which says that "writing is the art of applying ass to seat." However given my answer to question three, it doesn't take Sherlock to deduce that in my case theory has been winning out over practice.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Music. Jazz guitar. Satirical song writing. And lately, dabbling in electronic music.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest?

I think it's terrific that you stage readings of the winning scripts. Hearing your work read can often be cringe inducing, but it's essential to progress.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

Be curious

Doug Miles, Doug Miles