Austin Film Festival’s 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2017, Presented by MovieMaker

Who: AFF 2015 Comedy Screenplay finalist and current fellow in Film Independent’s Project Involve program.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
The short I wrote for Project Involve. I was producing draft after draft, constantly getting notes from the director, the producer, the execs, etc. I had to figure out a way to satisfy certain parties but also protect the kernel of the story that meant the most to me, that little nugget that made me want to write it in the first place.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
Keep writing. Keep, keep writing. Make it a daily habit. Even if it’s for an hour before work, on your lunch break, after the kids go to bed. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish by just devoting even just a small chunk of time to your craft.
What are some of your favorite movies?
I’ll keep the list recent: The Big Short, Edge of Tomorrow, Cabin in the Woods, The Guest, It Follows.
1. Jono Matt and Glen Powell 2. Ryan Piers Williams 3. Etta Devine and Gabriel Diani 4. Lena Khan 5. Trey Selman 6. Tracy Oliver 7. Justin Lader and Charlie McDowell 8. Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar 9. Damir Konjicija and Dario Konjicija 10. Juanjo Moscardó Rius 11. Ben Snyder and Ari Issler 12. Kyle Bugg 13. Jimmy Mosqueda 14. Michael Noonan 15. Geeta Malik 16. Josh Barkey 17. Nicholas Verso 18. Minhal Baig 19. Henry Jones 20. Kevin Arbouet 21. Megan Park 22. Wes Brown 23. Louisiana Kreutz 24. Kate Nowlin 25. Elizabeth Guest
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