Kevin Michael Irvine
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​Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Palm Springs, 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?
A trip to South of France inspired this story, GODFORSAKEN: A STORY OF THREE MARYS. In the town of Axe-en-Provence (also near Vincent Van Gogh’s inspirations), we heard the legend of how three women named Mary had survived on a boat with no paddle, sail, or rudder after they had been expelled from Jerusalem. Of many theories, the women were Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany (sister of Lazarus, rich businessman), and Mary the mother of crucified Jesus of Nazareth. Since yours truly had not heard this story and the characters had only been “supporting” in earlier films, since female actors always plead for substantial “women’s roles,” and perhaps most importantly, since it would be an “original,” it was a perfect fit. Also visually, for me, this was a movie. (If interested, check out Sts. Maries de la Mer shrine in South of France and, interestingly, the Bayeaux Tapestry from 12th Century, which depicts the Marys).   
 
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?
So far, it’s been four and a half years. In the beginning, it began as a flashback where the Marys reach land in South of France (Roman Gaul) and reveal the story through dialog. Instead, a traditional three-act structure told the story much better starting from the beginning. My background as a filmmaker tempted me to use cards, but instinct took over. No cards.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
Write a good movie.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Robert Bolt for his intellect, Charles Lederer for his wit, Ernest Lehman for his commercial successes, and that lucky team that wrote CASABLANCA, just because.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1962), BEN-HUR (1959), EL CID (1961), A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
After copyright/WGA registration, etc, do not be afraid to put the project out there with the Screenplay Competitions which, for me, have been indispensible.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
At the moment, re-working a few stories: two detective screenplays set in NYC and an expensive sci-fi feature set in the Mediterranean about a computer program that everybody in the world wants, but nobody can get – an action piece, very visual.

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