Screenwriting : Creative Inspiration and Motivations by Julia Loh

I chose to write screenplays because I wanted to expand my writing career. I have been interested in screenplays since high school. My interest started when I wanted to write Star Trek: TNG scripts.

1) I look up to Paul Thomas Anderson. While his scripts tell these amazing character stories, they are so simple and so dare I say, "basic", to read. And I am a fan of anyone who uses as many ellipses as possible. 2) The hopes that I can one day create a character / story that hits people in a personal way. In short, I would love to make people feel the way I do after I watch some of my favorite movies. 3) ... because I like it.

Screenwriting was not something I pursued until I was asked to try it by Andy Cheng! In 2004 I interviewed him for a magazine about Hong Kong film makers because, for several years, he was a stunt team member/double for Jackie Chan. We remained in touch and became friends. By 2008 he asked me if I'd ever written any screenplays. I dabbled in it but nothing serious. He had a screenplay that needed a rewrite and wanted to see what I could do with it. He liked what I did with his script and saw potential, so he became my partner and mentor. We make a good team because as someone who has directed and worked as a cinematographer, visuals are his strength and dialog is mine. I can't thank him enough for introducing me to Johnny Martin who hired me for my first produced gig with Andy and then suggested me to another producer for my solo script "Blue Holes" (though so far, that one is as of yet, not produced). I may be working on another solo project for Johnny Martin in the near future too! Another person who has been directly and indirectly helpful to me is Brian Koppelman. I love his six second screenwriting advice on Vine and he once gave me some very helpful advice on outlining when I asked him for it on Twitter. :-) http://vinebox.co/u/wyxqeeKCUdU

Terry Rossio & Ted Elliot from Wordplay. www.wordplayer.com/ Great information. I am a newbie in the business. Their info is great. I was reading their stuff back in 2004 but got side tracked by life. I am back now and co-authoring a script called "The Travelers". A near futuristic sci-fi. I am not getting any younger and life still goes on.

I write so I will have something decent to Direct.