ANDREW MACQUARRIE
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ANDREW MACQUARRIE

Can you tell us about your journey into screenwriting? What inspired you to pursue this career?
I started writing stories at a very young age. Maybe as young as five or six? Nothing remotely readable to anyone but my parents, but that’s where the seed was planted. I started writing prose/fiction in middle school, then wrote something resembling a screenplay for a film my friends and I shot as a project my senior year of high school. That was the first time I ever experienced seeing the things I wrote come to life in front of me. As unwatchable as that film would be today, it’s what got me hooked to this. 

Your stories often focus on themes of resilience and personal growth. How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
I like to tell stories of abnormal circumstances that explore normal emotions. Most of my stories are developed from long-term daydreaming sessions that usually begin with the question, “How would I react to that?” I’ve always been drawn to films or books that focus on relatable characters. Nothing against superhero or action movies, which can definitely be a lot of fun, but
it’s a bit harder for me to relate to people who have supernatural powers. I want to know what us “normal” people would do when we’re put in those situations. 

Could you walk us through your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
I’m a big proponent of pre-writing. I’ll usually put in several weeks, if not several months, of work before starting the actual writing process. Whether it’s research, or getting to know characters, or rearranging scene lists, or trying to poke holes in individual beats to see if they hold water, that’s what tends to make up most of my creative process. And, if I’m being honest,
what I find to be the most fun. The writing is no bore, by any means. But usually by the time I’ve finished my outline, actually writing the thing feels a bit more like a “paint by numbers” game. The outlining is where I get to take my biggest leaps and see how far I can push myself. 

When approaching a new screenplay, how do you organize your ideas before diving into the actual writing? Do you start with a detailed outline, or do you prefer to let the story unfold as you go?
Yeah, as above, I’m a big outliner. Not to say the story can’t change as I start writing. A lot of times as the characters start to develop more with dialogue and action, they end up quite a bit different than I’d initially expected. It’s a fun blend of starting with structure while still allowing things to unfold naturally as I write. 

How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt during your creative process?
I’ve learned the value of taking breaks. If I hit a wall or have a moment of writer’s block, simply “powering through” almost never pays off. Usually if I set my work aside and get out of my head a bit, more often than not when I come back to the work, whatever it was that was “blocking me” doesn’t seem so daunting anymore. 

What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
I do a lot of my pre-writing just on Microsoft Word or Google Docs. These days I’ve been using Google Docs more often, as the “living document” feature makes it very easy for me to update my notes on the go, even if I’m away from my computer. I definitely have quite a few “notes” documents full of rambling thoughts relevant to whatever I’m writing. 

Your screenplays have earned over 20 laurels in contests. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
I believe this was intended for someone else. I’ve earned a few laurels, but definitely not 20! Either way, I approach competition entries as opportunities to get a new, unbiased perspective of what I’ve written. Mom’s thoughts are always appreciated… but she likes everything I write!

Screenwriting often requires a deep understanding of character. How do you develop characters that feel authentic and relatable?
My pre-writing process is where I do most of my work developing characters. I find it very helpful to write out detailed biographies, including notes on their motives, their fears, their strengths and weaknesses. A lot of what I develop here doesn’t even end up in the script, but doing this work really helps me to better understand my characters and how they might respond
to specific situations. 

As someone with Mexican-American, Native-American, and Azorean heritage, how do your cultural backgrounds influence your storytelling?
I think this one was intended for someone else. However, as a Canadian I do tend to gravitate towards Canadian-centric stories. I certainly think there’s value in writing outside of your comfort zone. Having said that, culture influences so much of how we see the world, so it only makes sense that it would influence my writing too. 

The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence?
I think (and hope) that this is as good of a moment as any to really focus on the whole “quality over quantity” thing. With all these new technologies out there, it seems inevitable that there will be some churning out of as much content as possible. But I don’t think anything will ever replace those well conceived, thoughtfully written, complex human stories we all love so much. Kind of like furniture. Mass produced particle board tables and chairs certainly have value, but they’ll never replace the craftsmanship of a hand-made piece of furniture that someone has spent their life learning how to create. 

What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters trying to break into the industry today?
Pretty much the same advice I give myself all the time: thicken that skin and keep writing. As much as I thought I knew ten years ago, I’ve learned so much more since then. And most of  those lessons have come from “failures.” Each rejection is an opportunity to consider your writing from a different angle. And as much as it can sting at times, with the right amount of distance, it really does translate into better writing. 

What are the key skills a screenwriter needs to succeed in such a competitive field?
This is something I’m still learning myself, but resilience and persistence are the first things that come to mind. The challenges are immense, and more often than not it can feel like you’re climbing uphill and going nowhere. But having an ability to buckle down and keep pushing–through writer’s block and rejections and distractions–is really worth its weight in gold. 

How do you balance creative freedom with the demands and feedback from producers, directors, and studios?
This is something I have not yet experienced, so can’t answer with any authority. Having said that, any collaborative creative process is going to rely on good team dynamics, and good team dynamics thrive with compromise. It’s a word that tends to get a bad rap, but I think unfairly. I’ve learned firsthand through writing workshops the value of having a third-party, unbiased
perspective to look at my work and give feedback. Very often my natural reaction is, “No, youjust don’t get it.” But once the ego is checked, there’s almost always some real value in the feedback I’ve been given. I imagine it would be quite similar working with producers, directors, and studios. 

Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting career and how you overcame it?
As an amateur who is really just trying to make my way, I would argue that my biggest challenges have been a natural hesitancy to “take a leap.” Whether that be writing another screenplay, or submitting to new contests, or reaching out to professionals for feedback. Naturally, it’s all a bit intimidating to an outsider. But that’s where the thickened skin and
Persnicketiness really come in handy. 

What do you hope audiences take away from your work? Are there particular emotions or messages you aim to evoke through your storytelling?
I hope audiences take away a feeling of authenticity. Whether the premise of the story is grounded in reality, or a more absurd pseudo-reality, I really hope the emotions and humanity of the characters that make the story feel genuine. My favorite stories are the ones that make you laugh, then sort of sneak-attack you with heavy emotions in a way that leaves you unsuspectingly
in tears. If I can pull that off, then I’m thrilled. 

You’ve written both feature-length scripts and TV pilots. How does your writing process differ between the two formats, and do you prefer one over the other?
I think this is for someone else. Would love to venture into TV pilots one day, but for now I really enjoy features and shorts.
 
With several successful screenplays under your belt, what are your creative goals for this year? Any new projects or collaborations you're excited about?
I currently have four feature screenplays outlined out in great detail. I’d love to get rough drafts of each of them written by the end of the year!

What are your thoughts on diversity in Hollywood, particularly in screenwriting? How important is it to you to see more diverse voices and stories on screen?
Diversity is critical. Especially for those who haven’t traditionally seen backgrounds and stories resembling theirs represented on the big screen, having a voice that reflects their own is invaluable. And for the rest of us too! I’ve learned so much about other cultures just from consuming stories written by people of those cultures. 

How do you keep growing and improving as a writer? Are there specific habits, workshops, or feedback processes you follow to sharpen your skills?
I read voraciously. I do think you have to read good stories to write good stories. I also crave feedback. As much as it can be challenging to have something you’ve worked so hard on picked apart by someone who doesn’t have the same level of attachment to the story that you do, that outside perspective really does so much to sharpen my skills.
 
Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? Are there any dream projects or genres you’d love to explore?
I just want to keep writing! I don’t have any specific expectations for what this craft can become for me. I just really, truly enjoy writing. I hope that in five years time I love it just as much, if not more!

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