SCOTT THOMPSON & HAYES-HART THOMPSON
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
We both live just outside of Boston Massachusetts.
Hayes – Brighton, MA
Scott – Lexington, MA
 
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 idea of finding your true self despite societal pressures is incredibly important to us.  We first tackled this subject in a feature-length screenplay, two egg, which we intend to co-direct.  Before getting in over our heads, we decided to write a proof-of-concept short in order to both raise money for the feature and get some experience making a film together.

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?
Too long.  It took many passes to get to this point, but we started by pouring out a very rough, long-winded draft.  Then we began to pull a structure from that raw story, and outline the next draft before writing it.  We did this several times, trying to make each draft the best it can be, while keeping an open mind to the possibility we’ll need to rinse and repeat.  Since we already had the feature concept written, the real trick was figuring out how to create an impactful short, while remaining true to the tone, story, and characters of the feature.  We had done a great deal of backstory work for the feature, so we decided to attack the short as a prequal.
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What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
We both want to tell stories that matter.  Sincerely. This will be our first co-directing effort, but we’d like to keep telling stories that have an impact.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
There are so many.  Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele, Wes Anderson, and the Coen Brothers.  They’ve all been a huge inspiration.  Mostly because they consistently make powerful content through their unique voices.  They all pour an amazing amount of creativity into everything they do, while always remaining true to their voice and vision.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Oh, man.  That’s so hard.  We argued about this one for a while.  Where we can agree is with Winter’s Bone. That one is up there for both of us.  So, yeah, add Debra Granik to the writers that inspire.  Oh, yeah, and Short Term 12.  The short film was also a big inspiration for us because it was a proof-of-concept that was turned into feature.  Which means Destin Daniel Cretton should definitely be added to our inspiring writers.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
That’s tricky.  Writing is very humbling, so we admittedly don’t have all the answers.  That said, write a story you care deeply about and let the characters breath.  Keep it simple, clear, and say something that matters to you.  It takes so long to see something like this through, so the belief that you’re saying something that matters to you will keep you going whenever self-doubt creeps in.  Then you also have something you can keep investing yourself into regardless of whether or not you get the recognition you’re chasing.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Together, we’re currently developing the feature, two egg.  We’re definitely making this movie, but we have a long road ahead of us.  First, we need to make the short.