This interview was conducted back in May 2019, around the time the announcement of David Oyelowo making his directorial debut with The Water Man. Emma Needell was gracious in answering my questions about her involvement in the feature. So, take this time and get to know the screenwriter of this awe-inspiring film.
1. What do you think makes a good screenplay?
A screenplay is a weird thing -- it's only the skeletal structure for a movie, and a movie has so many audio/visual components. But ultimately, a screenplay should inspire. It should inspire the director, the actors (every actor, even if they're in just one scene), the director of photography, the producers, the art department, the composer... every aspect of production and post-production. It must be so inspirational that it brings together all sorts of people for the inevitable hassle that is pre-production, production, and post... and then, of course, to motivate people to take the time to watch it. But the seed of inspiration always starts with the script.
2. Which screenwriter/s and filmmaker/s do you admire or inspired your work?
The "Three Amigos" -- Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro Iñárritu, and Guillermo del Toro. Those three writer/directors have inspired me more than anyone. But specifically, Oliver Stone's Platoon is my favorite screenplay (reads like a novel).
3. How did you come up with idea of Tick Tock and Desert Noir?
Desert Noir was the first short I worked on in LA, and was really an homage to old Hollywood through the eyes of an outsider (which is how I felt when I first moved to Hollywood at age 21). Tick Tock I worked on with my (as of recently) finacée, Jake -- but it started from a dream I had, and as I told Jake about it, he said that sounds like a great short film. And then suddenly we were prepping on it, and it all just came together!
4. What is your favorite line from any movie?
"Why do they call you Red?"
"Maybe it's because I'm Irish."
- The Shawshank Redemption
5. Do you write alone or in public?
ALONE!!! I work an honest 5-6 hours a day alone, but that gives me the rest of the day to go do whatever I want (work out, go on a hike, hang out with friends, etc). I also hate leaving my stuff in a coffee shop to use the bathroom, and think the WeWork-type spaces in LA are overpriced and overhyped.
6. Which fictional character (besides yours) would you like to sit down and chat with?
A very strange part of me says Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men even though I'd probably never live to tell the tale. But if I wanted to live, I'd say Daenerys Targaryen.
7. Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?
All the time. But like a muscle, the more you work it, the stronger you get to power through. I am very meticulous with my goals and time management to aid with the inevitable writer's block moments. I have yearly goals, quarterly goals, weekly goals, and daily goals. I now know that the worst cases of writer's block always happen in the first or second draft, so if I'm at that stage of a project, I'll make sure I don't have a lot of other daily/weekly goals so I can muscle my way through that. I have also discovered that if I just get writing... even if it's something I know I'll just delete, or something random, like a character's backstory... just the process of physically typing can help unlock that block.
8. What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?
Writing is rewriting.
9. What book have you read that has most influence in your life?
I love books, therefore I can't choose just one. But some I love include: Harry Potter (I'm a millennial so duh), On Writing by Stephen King, Hyperion by Dan Simmons, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and, for screenwriting specifically, The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri.
10. What was your favorite book as a kid and a teenager?
Two series: the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix.
11. You have ever met your admirer from the business and how was the experience?
I have yet to meet any of the Three Amigos, but when I do I hope to keep my confidence and poise and not just melt into a puddle of admiration. However, I have had the privilege to meet/work with a few people I deeply admire, and it's made me step my own game up in ways that were exhilarating.
12. What do you currently do as a hobby?
I'm learning how to play guitar, which I love -- I love to paint, usually on acrylics, but I'm starting to dabble in oil as well -- and I love to ski ski ski ski.
13. What movie made you cry from laughter?
SPY!!!! Just re-watched it a few nights ago and was sobbing from laughter again.
14. What movie made you cry from sadness?
Pan's Labyrinth. I've seen that movie multiple times, so I know what's coming, but it doesn't matter... it always always makes me ugly cry.
15. Congrats on getting to write The Water Man, what are your thoughts about Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo working on this project as well?
I have yet to meet Oprah Winfrey in person, but she knows I exist and that warms my soul. The head exec at Oprah's Harpo Films, Carla Gardini, is incredible and I've loved working with/getting to know her. And then David... I mean, I could dedicate an entire interview just to David. He's insanely talented. The hardest-working person. Diligent. Precise. Intentional. And also just one of the kindest, most compassionate, and honest human beings I've ever met. The Water Man will be an incredible film thanks to him (he's also directing).
16. Have you ever consider writing a novella or novel in the future?
Yes! I'm working on one in fact... but it's a slow burn and I'm too excited about my film and TV projects at the moment to dedicate myself to it full-time.
17. If a self-published author is seeking a screenwriter/director, how would one get you or any experience screenwriter/director to read his or her story to see if it would make a compelling movie?
This is a connection-based industry, so if said hypothetical author had a friend in the business or personally knew a screenwriter-director, that's the way to go. I personally haven't heard of an author cold-calling a screenwriter or director with a book, not that it can't be done, but it sounds unusual. From what I've seen, it's typically a production company, studio, or agency that sends out books for consideration to get adapted. But this is also a time in Hollywood when books/short stories are being optioned like crazy -- the marketplace for original IP (intellectual property, i.e. books and short stories) is very open at the moment.
18. Last question, on an airplane, do you prefer the window seat or aisle seat?
Window all the way!