J JEFF HILLARDSearch WILDsound  11 Questions with J JEFF HILLARD. A WILDsound SUMMER 2009 Short Screenplay Finalist 1. What is your screenplay about? Lisa Latonda, beautiful undergrad advertising major, finds a unique way to get satisfaction--and class credit--after a humiliating one-night stand with handsome frat boy Rod Speers. Set on a college campus, the three scheming characters in this farce each get what they're after, but perhaps not exactly in the ways they expected. 2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay? The actual genesis of this script was from a two-part assignment I wrote for a screenwriting class. My instructor liked the characters and suggested I write a feature-length screenplay with them, but it's still a short at this point. 3. How long have you been writing screenplays? Since around 1998. I decided an unpublished science fiction novel manuscript I'd written could be adapted into a screenplay. I used two software products designed for writers to structure the narrative and ensure the screenplay had the correct formatting. I've written several feature and short screenplays since then. 4. What film have you seen the most in your lifetime? Probably "Alien." I never tire of this film's depiction of a very unusual biology, or the dialogue, set design, acting, lighting, score, cinematography and the sense of terror and dread it evokes. But if we're counting from early childhood, I've probably watched "The Wizard of Oz" many dozens of times. 5. What artist in the industry would you love to work with? Just one? I'd have to choose from among Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro, Ang Lee, Alfonso Cuarón, Tony Gilroy, Peter Jackson and James Cameron. Whoever calls me first!In terms of actors, Summer Glau and Jake Gyllenhaal can ring me anytime and we can talk screenplays tailored to their unique talents. 6. Who was your hero growing up? The biologist Dr. Earl S. Herald at the California Academy of Sciences and the English writer Gerald Durrell, both of whom communicated with great enthusiasm their love of nature. 7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years? Engaged in writing screenplays full-time. I want to test myself in many different genres and narrative styles, with memorable characters and great dialogue. 8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing? I am a strong believer in planning before execution. I may jot down ideas on paper as they come to mind, but then I enjoy doing research and reading up before I actually start to create a story. I use note cards to first develop and then arrange the major beats of the narrative. Once I know the ending, I can begin. During the week, I find it very challenging to sit down at my computer and write for hours in the evening. This is probably because I'm a webmaster--who spends hours at work each day staring at dual computer monitors! So I prefer weekends where I can dedicate large amounts of time to writing--and to procrastinating and being distracted, of course. My most productive time is in the afternoon and evening, when the caffeine has kicked in, I guess. 9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? Ecology and anthropology, especially in the tropics, and the impact we're having on this planet, and the balance we seek as a species between technology and biology. Two of my feature-length action-adventure scripts address these critical issues, while being entertaining. At least I think so! 10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest? Writing like this is intended to be performed. So if it's chosen, having the opportunity to listen to my screenplay being read by professional actors, witness the audience's reaction and hear their feedback--these would all provide very valuable insight into how successful my writing is as entertainment. I have received great written notes on a couple of my screenplays entered in contests, but the exposure I'd get--and be able to use--from WILDsound is totally unique, in my estimation. 11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers? Make it a habit to read on a regular basis all kinds of screenplays, whether produced or not, and books on screenwriting. Additionally, I advocate taking screenwriting classes, whether in an actual classroom setting or online. The classes I've taken on the Web had participants from around the world, in several time zones, so they ran 24/7, the assignments had strict deadlines and were very challenging--in terms of time and commitment. We read each others' writing samples and scripts in development and commented on them, and then commented on the comments, etc. People were respectful and supportive but frank. I spent more time "in" one of these online classes than I ever did at an actual college taking a similar course! One of several benefits of classes is the opportunity to develop a professional relationship/contact with someone in the Biz. Networking can be as important as creativity. And everyone who finished the courses had also finished a new or entirely rewritten script that had been improved by feedback from the instructors and classmates.
J Jeff Hillard
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