What inspired 17 again?
17 Again was inspired by the saying `if only I knew then what I know now.' I found the idea of having the knowledge of a 30 something year old inside the body of a 17 year old intriguing. Would you be able to navigate the waters of life better? Or would you find life harder in this ever changing era of technology? I wanted to explore both of those things in the movie.


What is the process from start to finish of writing a movie?
The process of writing is different for every writer. For me, I treat it like a 9 to 5 job even though I work out of my house. I start by coming up with an idea (which for me is the hardest part). When I have an idea I think is suitable to spend 3 or 4 months of my life on, I then begin to flush out the story by hand on a notepad. Just making notes, coming up with who the characters are and what the story is about. Once I'm confident I have a solid story and characters, I move to the outlining stage. This is soooo important. I outline the movie scene by scene. Normally I have around 45-50 scenes...no more then 50. In each scene paragraph I write a description of what will be going on the the scene, who is in it, where it takes place and the time, day, night, etc. Never skip the outline process. It is what keeps you on track. Once I have finished my detailed outline, I start to write. If your outline is detailed it will make the writing part easier.


What is the best way of breaking into this industry?
There are many ways to break into the business. But they are all tough. The best way for a writer is to write a spec script..meaning you come up with the idea, write it and then go out and try to get agents to read it. As a writer your screenplays are your business cards. You must have product for people to read. Hopefully, an agent will take to your writing and represent you. Then they go out and try to sell your product to producers and studios.



How much of writing do you do per day?
For me, I am at my computer by 8:30 am and I usually write until around 6 p.m.. All writers have different processes. That one just happens to work for me. I need a regimented environment otherwise I will fool around too much...



What do you think helps you the most during the creative process?
What helps me the most during the creative process is reading. A writer should always be reading...not just screenplays either. Read novels, classics, short stories. You will gain knowledge from them. You will see that all the stories have basically been done before ... so it will help you to look at old ideas and put new spins on them. Read, read, read....



I know when I try to write anything the thing I get stuck on most often is naming my characters, do you have the same problem and if so, how do you overcome it?
Writer's block is real for every writer..whether thy are successful or not. I have had it many times. When I do, I normally find there is a problem with my story. Therefore, the problem is in my outline somewhere. So I will go through my outline and see where the snag is. As for names, I normally use the names of people I know. It helps me to connect with the characters I'm writing better.


Tell me a bit about your writing career.
Sometimes as a writer you get to travel. For me that is one of the biggest perks of the job. I love to travel. I love being on location. I have been all over the States. I've been to Canada. I've been to Korea. But my favorite place I spent time in was South Africa. I spent close to 3 months working on a small, independent film called `Drum' in Johannesburg. This was in 2003. From day 1 I fell in love with the country. The people, the food, the energy. And working on this film was especially freeing for me because it wasn't a comedy. I finally got to write a drama. We shot in some really interesting places like Kliptown. A township where life hadn't changed much since the 1950's. And although these people were living in extreme poverty, they were so kind and welcoming. It blew me away. When I was there there was a sense of hope. Young black were getting the opportunities to tell their stories. Through our director, Zola Maseko, I met a small but thriving film colony of young, hip, black South Africans. It was exciting. I was able to take a quick trip to Cape Town and also a game park. Both amazing. But I loved the livelihood of Jo'burg. And in the end, I was proud of `Drum'. I think it came out really well. Taye Diggs stepped up and did a wonderful job. And our South African actors were truly amazing.
The biggest highlight of my career was my first spec sale. It was a screenplay I wrote titled `Jailbabe.com'. Which ultimately would become the movie `Bringing Down the House'. Working with Steve Martin was a dream come true. Now the highlights are just continuing to work at my dream job. It's a privilege to work in this business. I never lose sight of that.




How are creative conflicts (if any) between you and the director handled?
Creative conflicts always arise when you are collaborating with so many different people. I have had the good fortune of working with directors who are sensitive towards the writer. But when they do arise...as a writer you stand your ground but not so much that you turn people off. Be willing to hear out the other side of a disagreement. Maybe there is something good? Maybe there isn't. But part of a writer's job is to be flexible. Be able to make changes when you might not agree with them. Believe it or not your words are not written in stone. And if you believe that they are...you won't work too long.


What advice can you give to aspiring writers?
My advice to aspiring writers is to write all the time. Don't just write one screenplay...write another and another. Never rest on your laurels. Never waste too much time chasing a script that's dead. Get on to the next. Always be moving forward.