John Oak Dalton

"Not 'Hollywood Independent' - writer John Oak Dalton is the real Real Thing." --Cinema Minima."Very weird and unpopular b-movies and comics."--Blogalicious. "After watching the film I am left to wonder if he had some childhood trauma he is not telling us about."--IMDB user review. "Screenwriter John Oak Dalton wanted to be in Hollywood. Instead, he's in the rustic kitchen above the Germania General Store, stirring a pot of boiling hot dogs." --The Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

And You May Find Yourself Living in a Shotgun Shack

Not that long ago the high school daughter of a colleague wanted to interview me for an English class. She came to the office, and she and I talked a long time, and later she wrote something called "The Life and Mind of a Murderer" which began like this:

They walk down the street with you. They are your neighbors. You buy groceries at the same store. From a young age they have always had different fascinations than other kids. As adults they seemed a little too interested in other adults. They seem to be going through their life just like anyone else, but they are different. These people are movie writers.

Just now another hopeful, a young potential screenwriter in Illinois, asked to do an email interview with me for a high school class. Always eager to help those who may one day put me out on an ice floe, here is what I wrote back. Maybe something here can help you, loyal reader, as well.

1. How long have you been in the industry? I sold my first screenplay in 1999. It was an action movie called PLAYER IN THE GAME that never got made, but it opened the door to sell more after that.

2. How is Success in your position measured and rewarded? I think the industry in general rewards on box office, sales through physical media and digital platforms, and reviews; but for me, seeing a project get made, and then get distribution, is a good measure of success.

3. What made you interested in the job in the first place? I have always been interested in storytelling; I drew my own comics until I realized I wasn’t good enough to draw professionally, wrote plays until I sort of hit a wall in getting those out there, and switched to screenwriting because of a lifelong interest in filmmaking, but realizing that living in rural Indiana it would be hard to be involved in other aspects of it besides the writing. I think that last part has changed somewhat with easier access to technology and distribution platforms than once existed.

4. How could I start getting into the film industry? Watch and learn from watching movies and reading screenplays, join an AV club in your school, or if there isn’t one join some Facebook groups and other online groups that feature people with your same interests. Study film, telecommunications, or even communications or English in college. Go to film festivals and movie conventions to meet people that want to do the same thing you do. When you can, beg, buy, borrow some equipment so you can learn editing and shooting and begin to learn the language of filmmaking.

5. Explain to me what the job involves day-to-day? Being committed to working when there are other things pulling you away, like watching TV, hanging out, whatever. Being able to develop and nurture the brand that is yourself through fostering relationships with people in the industry, online and elsewhere. Really working on craft, because most of it is craft and only a small part of it is waiting for the muse to happen.

6. How would you describe the ideal person for this job? You have to love movies and understand and appreciate the history of movies. Loving reading to learn more about the world and loving writing in general.

7. How long are the hours daily for this profession? I have a day job, so the hours are whatever I can squeeze in; getting up early, working on my laptop during lunch, getting some writing time in after dinner, giving up weekends when deadlines are close.

8. What are the troubles and issues you face in the job? If I wanted to be bigger than I am, geography would be an issue; however I have been pretty successful staying in rural Indiana, selling close to I think 40 screenplays over the years, so I really don’t want to move. You have to work with legitimate people to make sure you get paid and get proper credit for your work.

9. Are you grateful for getting into the industry? Yes, it’s neat to go to a video store and see your movie, or to be in a theater when people watch it. Many, many people try over a long period of time and don’t get that satisfaction.

10. What are some equipment and tools I need to start my first movie? On the writing side, I recommend the free screenwriting software CeltX or Trelby. On the movie-making side, whatever you can get your hands on to learn how everything is supposed to work.