MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Christopher Canole

An interview with screenwriter Christopher Canole regarding the Indie Gathering Writing Competition.

A: "Her Swastika Sword" The most heralded sword-woman since Joan of Arc, half-Jewish German Helene Mayer, like a lone gunman of the American west, stands her ground against the Nazi Team SS henchmen and American Olympic officials threatening a boycott to make her point during 1936 Berlin Olympic Game. In our modern times of the Olympics being an arena of national politics, this is the first story of how an athlete was forced to sacrifice her love of sport for the cause of politics and religion.

A: The Indie Gathering is listed as one of Movie Maker magazines top 25 film festivals because of the quality and reputation Ray Sczuch's efforts over the years. Last year my other Olympic Games screenplay "Felix the Flyer" won an Honorable Mention, so when I completed "Her Swastika Sword" I wanted to challenge myself in this competition with a better and bolder script. I am convince film festivals are the best access for un-produced writers to promote our talents. This script has been nominated for the Action on Film international film festival New Writer Award and Arthur Rosenfeld Award, and made the finals of Red Inkworks. I look forward to testing Helene Mayer fencing as well as Felix Carvajal ran in other contest where was successful; the AAA Creative Screenwriting Grand Prize, Script Magazine Grand Prize, Queens International Film Festival, Kids First Film Festival, Screenplay Shootout, and I have placed in the top three or honorable mention of the New York Hip Hop, Indie Producers, Gaffers, Twin Rivers, Indie Gathering, Screenplay Festival, San Diego Film Festival, Acclaim Film, and WriteMovies.com

A: Ray immediately informed me as to the results. I appreciate knowing the results before attending his festival, unlike some festivals that have dozens of finalists who pay for a lavish dinner only to walk away empty handed.

A: Feedback was not part of this contest.

A: It is too early to tell. But having a new prize winning script will surely regenerate interest that began with Felix the Flyer.

A: I am a Cal Arts masters degree graduate, union set photographer and actor who decided it was time to create my own stories. In the past three years I have written eleven screenplays: Bloodgroove (60's college story), Drawn Together (political thriller), DVD Day (science fiction doomsday), Spring Snow (Mishima novel adaptation for my PhD in literature), Runaway Horses (Another Mishima), Z.I.A. (Family Zoo story), Counter-Clockwise (Science fiction romance), Felix the Flyer (sports biography), Pen Dragon (comic book fable), The Last Limo (post 9/11 American Odyssey) and Her Swastika Sword (sports biography).

A: I'm beginning to think, winning film festival contests, perhaps I should get back on my motorcycle and live on the road and be ready to put down my kickstand in Hollywood when one of my stories sells. For now I will continue to live in La Jolla which isn't bad when I see the number of actors, directors and producers who visit my little village.

A: I am now blocking my first romantic comedy, Sunset Suites, which takes place in a nursing home and deals with the whacky insights I've gained in the past six months taking care of my 92 year old Aunt Dallas. She looked exactly like Bette Davis which created many funny moments in her life. And as the main "Nail Girl" for Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, she saw things few could imagine. And then I'll write the last of my Olympic Trilogy, a biography of my boyhood hero and distant cousin, Jim Thorpe.

Posted Thursday, July 10, 2008