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I knew I
wanted to be a screenwriter.......
when I
found out that the stories I wrote would be better suited as scripts.
I know I've
succeeded.......
when I actually
see my name on a screen as “Written By” or “Screenplay By”.
My inspiration
to write
OUTRAGE.......
came from daily
news papers, tabloids, disgusting things that display man’s inhumanity
to man.
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Dennis
Michael Jones: The fact that I could take something someone said about a subject and
turn it into a story.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
Dennis Michael Jones: I
thought about the subject matter, characters, settings and what the
script was about.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Is this your first script and how long did it take you to write
OUTRAGE?
Dennis Michael Jones:
No, this is actually my 39th script and it took me about ten days
to complete. Once I get going on a plot, I write until I feel its time
to stop.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Dennis Michael Jones: No. Sometimes I jump up at 3am and turn on the
computer and write because of something I just thought of.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Dennis Michael Jones:
Yes I do. If you ask
a friend to read your work, they’ll always say it’s good. But if you
send it in as an entry, several people will read it and give you an
un-biased opinion.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Dennis Michael Jones:
I received an email from a website about the contest. I had quite
a few scripts and I decided to send in one.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Dennis Michael Jones:
Strange as it may
seem, the only script I have ever read was “ALIEN” which I picked up
at a flea market. The format, characters and dialogue are good and the
script is a perfect example of how a screenplay should be written.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
Dennis Michael Jones:
Photography. I love taking pictures. I have several digital cameras
that I use and I sometimes shoot weddings and babies and things that
look interesting. I carry a small digital camera every where I go.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
Dennis Michael Jones: I
don’t really know any screenwriters by name that I could call a
favorite. The fact that a screenwriter has his/her name listed in the
credits is testimony to their success and, if it’s a good picture, I
try to remember who wrote it.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the director you would love to work with and why?
Dennis Michael Jones:
Quentin Tarrentino. He
seems to be an offbeat director who sometimes goes against the grain
which, in some cases, could be a good thing. It gets you noticed.
Name an actor I would love to work with and why?
Tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Dennis
Michael Jones: That’s a toss
up. There are so many actors out there who are great in their field.
Anyone who would portray a character in anything I wrote, I would love
to work with them.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
Dennis Michael Jones:
Sure. First, make sure
that this is what you really want to do professionally. Take time out
to know the proper format and work in a quite place with no
distractions. It worked for me.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What's next for you?
Dennis
Michael Jones:
Well, I’ll just
keep writing as long as I don’t run out of ideas. It’s something I
like to do.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from
now?
Dennis
Michael Jones: Here, I hope.
I’ll be 70 years old in five years. |
