Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Jon Mitchell
An interview with screenwriter Jon Mitchell regarding the American Accolades Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The script that took First Place in the contest's "Other" category is a neo-noir thriller called "Onlies For Lonelies".
It's set in Allied Occupied Yokohama and it's a gritty love story between a junk-struck American G.I and a former comfort woman.
It's my Yokohama Confidential.
A: I'd heard good things about Peter Scott from David Trottier in the Screenwriter's Bible.
The only other contest I submitted to was writemovies.com - "Onlies For Lonelies" finished top ten there, too...
A: On the Friday, I received the email from Peter telling me that I'd won and then three days later I received the check, the feedback, the Final Draft and the subscription to Writers Bootcamp...
Not a bad time frame - considering I live on the other side of the Pacific in Japan....
A: I received eight pages of feedback from the Academy's Writers Clinic - this was part of the prize package.
It was more useful than I could have imagined - lots of advice on how to pick up the second act (which I have since incorporated into a re-drafting) and a big confidence boost. They really seemed to love the tale...
A: The response, to be honest, has been incredible...
I always make sure to include the fact that "Onlies For Lonelies" won First Place whenever I contact anyone in the industry. It's opened more doors than a skeleton key...
On the back of this win, I've landed work at a Tokyo-based studio called 100meterfilms where at the moment, I'm penning a comedy. Through this connection I scored a part in a Toho Studio feature film - called Ashita E No Yuigon - to be released next year.
Also, I'm currently developing a yakuza human drama for another production company here in Japan.
The last year has been crazy busy for me...
A: "Onlies For Lonelies" was the first script that I've written - and I was overwhelmed by its success.
Since then, I've gone on to write four other screenplays. The one that I completed on the Writer's Bootcamp course finished in the top 15% of this year's Nicholl Fellowships - not bad considering I wrote it with the flu over a ten week period.
It's a suspense thriller called "Smith's Replacement" and I've just completed a re-write so now it's polished to a fine sheen, as tight as a drum with a wicked sting in its tail...
A: I'm living in Yokohama and have no plans to leave this beautiful city...
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: At the moment, I'm penning a comedy called "Negi" and a yakuza drama called "Nine Saints of Kamakura".
I also write a regular article for Japanzine on Japanese subculture.
Posted Friday, August 17, 2007