Wildcat is a biographical drama that tells the story of novelist Flannery O'Connor's who faces challenges in publishing her first novel. The film draws inspiration from O'Connor's short stories. Ethan Hawke directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Shelby Gaines. The cast members of film are Maya Hawke, Rafael Casal, Philip Ettinger, Cooper Hoffman, Steve Zahn, and Laura Linney.
Here's the Novelpro Junkie Interview with Shelby Gaines, co-screenwriter of Wildcat:
1. What is the genesis of Wildcat?
Maya Hawke brought the idea to Ethan and Ryan Hawke and they asked me to collaborate on the project. I have always admired Flannery's work, so it was an easy yes.
2. List three adjectives to describe director and co-writing partner Ethan Hawke?
Smart, hard worker, funny...
3. Could you share your experience working with Ethan Hawke on this film?
A real joy. Getting to make something about such an important literary figure was a responsibility that we did not take lightly. Ethan was always fully committed and inspired and willing to do whatever it took to realize the film.
4. Could you also share your experience creating Wildcat music with Latham Gaines?
It was a gift to get to collaborate with my brother on composing the music for Wildcat. Latham moved into my house for a couple of months and we spent every day making instruments, making sounds, and working to enhance the power of the film.
5. Did you make a cameo in Wildcat?
I did not but my three daughters did, which was probably a better choice.
6. What is your favorite score in Wildcat?
Hard to pick but I'm going to say a piece of very simple harmonized vocal music that my brother made, called "I won't be here long". We incorporated our voices into the score in lots of places in some ways that were obvious and in some ways that were not. We have always been interested in the power of blood harmony.
7. What is your favorite line from Wildcat?
A quote from one of Flannery's letters to her publisher. "To develop at all as a writer I have to develop in my own way. I will not be persuaded to do otherwise."
What a fiercely intelligent, remarkable thing for a young ambitious writer to know about herself, and to say, to her older, established publisher who holds an enormous amount of power over her.
8. The film has an all-star cast that include Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Cooper Hoffman, Steve Zahn, and more. What are your thoughts on them participating in this film project?
Gratitude that such incredible actors wanted to be involved. Laura Linney and I actually first met when we were kids, so it's extra fun to witness her genius today in this film.
9. Do you have any favorite story/stories that Flannery O’ Connor wrote?
So many -- but I will name three off the top of my head. The Displaced Person, Good Country People, and a strangely powerful story called A View Of The Woods.
10. If Flannery O’ Connor was still alive and you were to meet her face-to-face, what would you say to her?
I would be so intimidated I doubt I would manage to say all that much. I would probably ask her about raising birds - you know, keep it basic. My father, who is a writer, met her at her home once. I could ask her if she remembers him and whether he was a gentleman.
11. Wildcat shined the spotlight on a legendary author, which other author do you think should have a biographical film?
Graham Greene.
12. If someone wants to listen to any of your music, which one would you suggest that person should listen to first?
Most of my music is hard to find because I do a shit job of having any online presence. It gives me anxiety. But my wife's favorite is a song called Aquaworld.
13. What is your favorite music/score?
Oooh don't have a favorite. So much film music is important to me. Lately I have been enjoying Mica Levi's work. Ennio Morricone's score to Once upon a time in the west always amazes me. Carter Burwell is a classy composer. Also love Atticus and Leopold Ross. I tend to like the more experimental approach to scores. And love it when director's are attuned to the power of unusual music placement -- Directors like Ari Aster, Yorgos Lanthimos, Jonathan Glazer, The Coen's. Also love when there is a restraint with music when it is called for -- I love the score to No Country for Old Men -- the music is almost invisible and I think all the more powerful.
Having said all that I believe each film is it's own world and each one wants and needs an approach that is tailored to fit.
14. How did you make the transition from composer to screenwriter?
Dumb luck and circumstance. When I moved to Vermont and hadn't set up my studio set yet, I decided to start writing, and Ethan was generous enough to ask me to write something with him. I haven't stopped writing since.
15. Which filmmakers/screenwriters do you admire the most?
Another difficult question. Too many to list so I will just say that every time a Coen Brothers movie comes out I will see it. They are great writers AND filmmakers.
16. Which novel/novella/short story/article have you read that you would like to see a film or TV adaptation?
You Send Me -- The Life and Times of Sam Cooke. Besides being one of the greatest singers I have ever heard, his life, career, and death, were incredibly dramatic.
17. What is one thing you missed doing (or anything in general) when you were an undergraduate at Brown University? Have you visit the campus since graduating?
I've been back a few times and always love visiting Providence and Brown. I wish I had taken advantage of the option to take some classes at RISD.
18. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Mel Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Greta Thunberg.
19. What piece of advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters starting out?
I don't pretend to have any good advice so I will submit Flannery's advice to young writers because it makes me laugh.
"My advice is to start reading and writing and looking and listening. Pay less attention to yourself than to what is outside you and if you must write about yourself, get a good distance away and judge yourself with a stranger’s eyes... and a stranger’s severity. Also don’t be subtle until the fourth page... You have to realize the genuine stupidity of the reader... his average mental age is thirteen years."
20. Last question, if you could pick a day to relive over and over again, what day would it be and why?
Finally! An easy one. The day I married my wife Megan.
Here's the Novelpro Junkie Interview with Shelby Gaines, co-screenwriter of Wildcat:
1. What is the genesis of Wildcat?
Maya Hawke brought the idea to Ethan and Ryan Hawke and they asked me to collaborate on the project. I have always admired Flannery's work, so it was an easy yes.
2. List three adjectives to describe director and co-writing partner Ethan Hawke?
Smart, hard worker, funny...
3. Could you share your experience working with Ethan Hawke on this film?
A real joy. Getting to make something about such an important literary figure was a responsibility that we did not take lightly. Ethan was always fully committed and inspired and willing to do whatever it took to realize the film.
4. Could you also share your experience creating Wildcat music with Latham Gaines?
It was a gift to get to collaborate with my brother on composing the music for Wildcat. Latham moved into my house for a couple of months and we spent every day making instruments, making sounds, and working to enhance the power of the film.
5. Did you make a cameo in Wildcat?
I did not but my three daughters did, which was probably a better choice.
6. What is your favorite score in Wildcat?
Hard to pick but I'm going to say a piece of very simple harmonized vocal music that my brother made, called "I won't be here long". We incorporated our voices into the score in lots of places in some ways that were obvious and in some ways that were not. We have always been interested in the power of blood harmony.
7. What is your favorite line from Wildcat?
A quote from one of Flannery's letters to her publisher. "To develop at all as a writer I have to develop in my own way. I will not be persuaded to do otherwise."
What a fiercely intelligent, remarkable thing for a young ambitious writer to know about herself, and to say, to her older, established publisher who holds an enormous amount of power over her.
8. The film has an all-star cast that include Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Cooper Hoffman, Steve Zahn, and more. What are your thoughts on them participating in this film project?
Gratitude that such incredible actors wanted to be involved. Laura Linney and I actually first met when we were kids, so it's extra fun to witness her genius today in this film.
9. Do you have any favorite story/stories that Flannery O’ Connor wrote?
So many -- but I will name three off the top of my head. The Displaced Person, Good Country People, and a strangely powerful story called A View Of The Woods.
10. If Flannery O’ Connor was still alive and you were to meet her face-to-face, what would you say to her?
I would be so intimidated I doubt I would manage to say all that much. I would probably ask her about raising birds - you know, keep it basic. My father, who is a writer, met her at her home once. I could ask her if she remembers him and whether he was a gentleman.
11. Wildcat shined the spotlight on a legendary author, which other author do you think should have a biographical film?
Graham Greene.
12. If someone wants to listen to any of your music, which one would you suggest that person should listen to first?
Most of my music is hard to find because I do a shit job of having any online presence. It gives me anxiety. But my wife's favorite is a song called Aquaworld.
13. What is your favorite music/score?
Oooh don't have a favorite. So much film music is important to me. Lately I have been enjoying Mica Levi's work. Ennio Morricone's score to Once upon a time in the west always amazes me. Carter Burwell is a classy composer. Also love Atticus and Leopold Ross. I tend to like the more experimental approach to scores. And love it when director's are attuned to the power of unusual music placement -- Directors like Ari Aster, Yorgos Lanthimos, Jonathan Glazer, The Coen's. Also love when there is a restraint with music when it is called for -- I love the score to No Country for Old Men -- the music is almost invisible and I think all the more powerful.
Having said all that I believe each film is it's own world and each one wants and needs an approach that is tailored to fit.
14. How did you make the transition from composer to screenwriter?
Dumb luck and circumstance. When I moved to Vermont and hadn't set up my studio set yet, I decided to start writing, and Ethan was generous enough to ask me to write something with him. I haven't stopped writing since.
15. Which filmmakers/screenwriters do you admire the most?
Another difficult question. Too many to list so I will just say that every time a Coen Brothers movie comes out I will see it. They are great writers AND filmmakers.
16. Which novel/novella/short story/article have you read that you would like to see a film or TV adaptation?
You Send Me -- The Life and Times of Sam Cooke. Besides being one of the greatest singers I have ever heard, his life, career, and death, were incredibly dramatic.
17. What is one thing you missed doing (or anything in general) when you were an undergraduate at Brown University? Have you visit the campus since graduating?
I've been back a few times and always love visiting Providence and Brown. I wish I had taken advantage of the option to take some classes at RISD.
18. If you have your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Mel Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Greta Thunberg.
19. What piece of advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters starting out?
I don't pretend to have any good advice so I will submit Flannery's advice to young writers because it makes me laugh.
"My advice is to start reading and writing and looking and listening. Pay less attention to yourself than to what is outside you and if you must write about yourself, get a good distance away and judge yourself with a stranger’s eyes... and a stranger’s severity. Also don’t be subtle until the fourth page... You have to realize the genuine stupidity of the reader... his average mental age is thirteen years."
20. Last question, if you could pick a day to relive over and over again, what day would it be and why?
Finally! An easy one. The day I married my wife Megan.
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