JOHNNY RUSSELL
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 PictureJohnny Russell
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Hi, I’m John Russell I live in San Diego, CA
 
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel?
The story was inspired by true events.  I grew up in Los Angeles a block away from Athens Park where the Bloods first started, and where I played Little League Baseball. I started this story off as a novel entitled, First Blood. But I found that many movies are produced starting with a script. With a few alterations, I adapted my own novel into a screenplay.
 
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
I worked on Neon 6 to 8 months. As far as a writing process, the one thing that I honestly think helped get script progression was the fact that it is an adaption of the novel that I’d already written, so there was no need for an outline. When my book was first published, the book’s critic’s reviews helped my script embody a positive resolution.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
Gotham Writers School taught me that unless you add an investigation, you don’t have a police story. I think that’s were a lot of films like this drop the ball. Making the audience think piques interests in the masses that come to the theater.  My ambition as a writer is to piques interests.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Michael Schiffer known for Colors, Crimson Tide and The Peacemaker
Jordan Peele the Oscar- and Emmy-winning director, writer, with blockbusters like Get Out and US.
Spike Lee Do The Right Thing
Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards and Kill Bill.
Tyler Perry Daddy’s Little girls, Why Did I get Married, Madea’s Family
These guys know diversity in films.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Avengers End Game
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Watch and listen to people around you. They’re giving you dialog for your next feature.
 
Here’s the logline: While his foes devise a diabolical plot to eradicate the world's inhabitants, he defends the planet taking them on head to head. So why are Earth’s authorities trying to stop him?