JJ Hillard 11 Questions with JJ HILLARD. FALL 2009 Short Screenplay Finalist 1. What is your screenplay about? This is the story of a reclusive little old lady whose daily routines take a turn toward the barely plausible -- and certainly improbable. It features a cast of earthbound characters involved in the first Mars Unbounded Mission (MUM). The logline: For elderly widow Meghan Una McMurphy, old age becomes a real adventure when she encounters a bizarre situation in her apartment that threatens her sanity -- and may offer her one last chance to fulfill an impossible dream. 2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay? I noticed that few science fiction adventure stories have a senior citizen as their main protagonist. And lately there seems to an injunction against actors in films wearing fluffy white bunny slippers with pink ears. I wanted to address both of those issues. 3. How long have you been writing screenplays? Since around 1998. In my case, it's going to take me years to become an overnight sensation! 4. What film have you watched the most in your lifetime?
Probably the original "Alien" that hatched all those sequels. I never tire of this film's masterful depiction of a very unusual biological threat to a space crew. Besides, it's got one of the most iconic "gotcha!" moments in all of cinema! 5. What artist in the industry would you love to work with? It's a toss-up between Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp, at least at this moment. 6. Who was your hero growing up? I've completed several shorts, and two feature-length screenplays -- a science fiction epic and an action-adventure/love story. I want to do a horror comedy next. 7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years? Career-wise, engaged in writing screenplays full-time. I want to test myself in different genres and narrative styles. 8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing? I plan before I execute. I research and read up before I actually start to work on a script. Once I know the ending, I can begin. I prefer weekends where I can dedicate large amounts of time to writing -- and to procrastinating and being distracted, of course. 9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? Ecology and cultures, especially of the tropics, and the impact humans are having on this planet. I'm also a strong advocate for eating desserts and taking naps.
10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest? I've gotten very helpful comments on multiple submissions to the WILDsound reading committee. And this is the second time this year I've placed as a WILDsound finalist; the first was for my short farce "Boing!" Since writing like this is intended to be performed, if it's chosen I have the opportunity to have my screenplay read by professional actors, gauge how well the dialogue works, witness the audience's reactions and hear their feedback -- all of which provides terrific insight into how successful my writing is as entertainment. In my opinion this kind of opportunity is invaluable to an aspiring screenwriter. 11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers? Cultivate your ischial callosities. In other words, keep your seat in your seat and write. Create your own deadlines and rewards if that's what it takes to get something written on a regular basis. And please, remove the earphones when you're out and about. Eavesdrop on those around you. Be attentive. Observe people in all kinds of settings -- these are a writer's prerogatives. There's inspiration everywhere if you're receptive.
JJ Hillard
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CREATIVE IDEAS
