A contest for spiritually uplifting and redemptive screenplays
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Contest Winners Application Home Founder Mission News Rules 
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What or who was your inspiration for HELL? As a Christian and a career marketer, I was very impressed with the grass roots marketing and promotional efforts behind the release of Passion of the Christ. The film was heavily promoted by many church groups, both within their organizations and to the general public. Some evangelical Christians even considered the film's release a crucial moment for evangelism. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the film’s net impact in reaching a new wave of Christian believers fell far short of what many backers may have hoped. In writing “Hell”, my hope was to create a compelling story that depicts the consequences of eternal damnation and separation from God; from a modern day context and with contemporary relevance. In so doing, I also hoped to stimulate the audiences’ thought processes regarding Christianity and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. How did you come up with the idea for the script? The first thing I wanted to do was to depict Hell, not just to be scripturally accurate, but to be so dark, hopeless and frightening that audiences would have to ask, “Is that what eternal damnation is really like?” I had in mind a “Scared Straight” approach, similar to the program began in the 70’s to dissuade teens from a path of crime. After that I needed to develop a story in which a person actually experienced hell and then had the opportunity to share that experience back on earth. The result was “Dr. John Dantry” the heart surgeon/protagonist. Through him I was able to introduce the antitheses of the heavenly near death experience that so many people have been through. Unfortunately for poor Dr. John, he didn’t just knock on hell’s door…greater forces sucked him all the way in. The fact that Dr. Dantry was able—with a little special help—to escape hell allowed me to go the full 180 degrees and end things as a story of redemption. How long did it take for you to write the screenplay? From the time I initially conceived of the idea until I had a finished script: about four years. Most of that was research (I sent a detailed questionnaire about hell to all the pastors and clergy I knew) and waiting for God to tell me it was time to start putting things on paper What were some of the challenges you faced during the writing process? Aside from the research in my attempt to depict hell in a scripturally accurate way, I found it very challenging to describe hell with enough detail to share the image in my head with readers of the script; without overdoing it and having them set it aside because of it being too verbose. To me, the Hell screenplay represents an exciting opportunity for a very special filmmaker who can create such an intensely dismal and depressing environment that many people in the audience will start weeping; or just walk out because they can’t take the imagery. If that happens, the film will have done its job. Do you have formal training as a screenwriter Prior to my venture into screenwriting a bit over three years ago, my business career included more than two decades holding executive management positions at major direct marketing agencies. Through all those years of directing people and companies (and unbeknownst to most of his colleagues and clients), I was concurrently a prolific and award-winning copywriter. That said, I have since developed a very strong respect for the art of screenwriting. I initially underestimated how difficult it can be. And I was unprepared for the sometimes gross subjectivity of those who would read my scripts. I always thought I was a fairly humble guy, but maybe God needed to teach me some additional humility? Have you won other contests? Yes. I’ve won and placed in contests. A sample follows: Screenplay: The Funny Thing About Road Kill Screenplay: Bye Cuspid! The Adventures of a Male Tooth Fairy Screenplay: Hunger Screenplay: Sebastian and the Lost Atoll Short Screenplay: Room Service What are your words of advice for other writers who are dealing with Christian themes? Before you begin a new script, decide who you want your audience to be. Are you writing solely for other Christians? Or is your story of an evangelical nature wherein you seek to draw non-believers to Christ? Do a lot of listening—to God—before you write a single word; and then keep a dialogue going with Him throughout the process. |
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