Avenger script a finalist in the 'WILDsound FALL Feature Screenplay Contest'!

Dear Avenger Fans,

Earlier this month I got some great news! 'The Scarlet Avenger' feature screenplay was announced as one of the top 25 finalists in the 'WILDsound FALL Feature Screenplay Contest'! Apparently there were over 300 submissions from all over the world, so we did quite well. There are also some very experienced television writers in competition with us, which makes it an even greater honour.

I don't normally enter film-related contests of any sort (as readers of my last post will recall). However, this one seemed really appealing, because the winning script is read aloud by a group of professional actors, before an audience of industry professionals and film fans. The reading is also videotaped for the screenwriters' benefit. To me this prize far outweighs any cash award. It would give me and my co-writers far greater insight into how the dialogue would work, when spoken by trained actors. I'm sure the experience would also spark all sorts of new ideas, with regards to plot, characterization, pace and tone.

My fellow screenwriters, Chris M. Laskowski and Steve McKay, are also really excited by the news, and have agreed to appear on the contest's radio program if we win. That would be pretty fun. So, please cross your fingers for us. We find out later this month how we did. I'll be sure to update you all on that front.

When we were listed as finalists, we were asked to answer a short questionaire that would be posted on the contest's website. For posterity's sake, here it is...

1. What is your screenplay about?

On the eve of World War II, young Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer, Spencer Whitney, saves the King of England from an assassination attempt, but only after his Mountie father is killed at the hands of a mysterious masked villain, known only as 'The Skull'. Spencer is given a handsome reward for his family's ultimate sacrifice, which he uses to transform himself into the masked superhero, 'The Scarlet Avenger'. When war finally comes, the Avenger joins Canada's fight against the Skull and the Nazis, who plot to destroy the free world with a powerful doomsday weapon.

2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay?

'Scarlet Avenger' creator, Scott C. Clements, has been a life-long fan of 1930s and 40s action/adventure films. He wrote a prototype for the Avenger script when he was just 12 years old. At York University he penned a 20-minute film version and co-directed it with fellow classmate, Chris M. Laskowski. When Scott was accepted into the Directors' Lab at The Canadian Film Centre, he was encouraged to develop it as a feature there. He again teamed up with Chris, as well as fellow York classmate (and Film Centre alumnus), Steve McKay, to write it.

3. How long have you been writing screenplays?

Scott's been writing screenplays since he was 12 years old. Chris and Steve began working on scripts in mid high school. While still a student at York University, Steve was co-writer of the 1997 independent film, Hayseed, featuring 'Kids in the Hall' star, Scott Thompson.

4. What is your all-time favorite film? (name only one)

Scott: Star Wars
Chris: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Steve: Do The Right Thing

5. What artist in the film industry would you love to work with?

Scott: David Wu (editor)
Chris: Guillermo Navarro (director of photography)
Steve: David Mitchell and Robert Webb (from the T.V. show 'Peep Show') or Steve Coogan (from 'Hamlet 2')

6. How many screenplays have you written?

Scott's written five feature screenplays. Chris has written six. Steve's written six and has had one produced.

7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?

Scott would like to be writing and directing entertaining genre films in the United Kingdom. Steve hopes to be living in New York and writing for animated/comedic films/TV shows. Chris doesn't give a crap where he's living, just so long as he's making films!

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

Each member of the team has his own writing process. When they teamed up to write Avenger, Scott came up with the raw concepts, Steve researched and developed those further, and Chris helped knit the whole thing together structurally. The screenplay was completed after about a month of intense three-way conversations about story and structure, about two months of concentrated solo writing, and a month of concentrated collaborative polishing.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

All three writers are music freaks. Scott loves history. Chris is a karaoke-aholic. Steve is obsessed with bocce ball and being generally gregarious.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest?

Scott had seen the site while surfing the net and was told about how great the contest was by a writer friend from L.A., who had won it and had her script read by a cast of professional actors.

11. Any advice or tips you'd like to pass on to other writers?

It's rare for a group of co-writers to get along as well as Scott, Chris and Steve did, but if you're able to find that type of connection, do yourself a major favour and team up. It makes the writing process so much more fun!


Aside from the contest, I've mostly been focusing on planning my move to the UK. It's still quite a ways off, but it's a huge step, so I gotta be prepared. As the reality of becoming an expat draws nearer, I'm starting to think that this could be one of the best things I could ever do for my career as a feature film director. In fact, when I was strolling through the Yorkville area, during the Toronto International Film Festival, I bumped into a movie producer whom I'd worked with a few years ago. He's been very successful in Hollywood, so his opinion means a lot to me. Coincidentally, I'd sent him an email about my plans a few weeks prior, and when he saw me in person, he told me he thought it was a great idea. He said he could totally see why I was so frustrated trying to make films in Canada and that he did see a lot more opportunity overseas. I also met with other successful filmmaker friends later that same day (who were passing through town for the festival) and they shared the same sentiments. So, I think this'll be, if nothing more than a great adventure, a big step in the right direction towards the director's chair.

While planning the move occupies most of my free time, I keep dreaming about the Avenger feature. I'm quite prepared for the very real possibility that this project could take years to come to fruition. A few readers of my last post expressed concern over my shifting focus. One anonymous person posted comments on my blog, which seemed to indicate he felt I'd abandoned my filmmaking plans. "No Avenger movie? What about the storyboards?", he asked. Well, again, I simply have to shift focus for the time being. I'll come back to the film soon enough. Regarding the boards, I'm so glad I spent the time and money to have them done. They're something concrete I can bring to England with me. Trying to get them done over there would have been incredibly difficult. For the first year or so, I'll probably just be struggling to keep my head above water. When I finally get settled and connected, I can revisit them. And, as promised a few posts ago, here are some more examples...

As promised, more Avenger storyboards by artist Sam Agro.

As you can see, the boards truly bring the script to life. I'm so happy I have them as back-up ammunition. They're an essential part of getting this film made. But sometimes, to move forward, you've got to tackle other obstacles first. The roadblocks I've faced here in Canada have been a real problem, not only with regards to getting the film made, but also with my creative spirit in general. I'm not only looking for better career oportunities overseas, but also a fresh new outlook on the world...new inspiration that will breathe life into this and future projects of mine. I'll keep you posted on any major new developments. Until then, best wishes and thanks for reading.