TOM FRANEY

 Picture
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Atlanta, GA

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?
I like the idea of high concept stories where literally everything is at stake. Faithful tells the story of a quick descent into the apocalypse and the characters’ struggle to get through it. But every aspect of the series is an allegory for a deeper, spiritual concept. Only a TV series could tell this story properly. It’s too long for a movie or novel.
 
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?
This pilot episode took me about a year before it was ready to enter contests. My process for writing anything starts out with notes. These are notes or plot points about the entire series. At some point, when the story becomes clearer, I outline the series and each episode. I’ll write a scene or part of a scene that may be in a later episode and just continue to slowly fill in the blanks. When I think I have enough plot points I’ll start working on individual episodes.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate ambition is to be part of a team that creates an interesting work of art.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
I think Vince Gilligan has done amazing work. The character arcs on Breaking Bad inspired me to become a better writer. The changes each character underwent were methodical and always believable. When I watched that show I realized I had a lot more work to do!
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Breaking Bad
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
I like to enter a few contests early in the writing process just to get feedback. I always take the criticism seriously. The solutions they offer are not necessarily valid because the judges don’t know what will happen throughout the entire series, but the problems they point out always need to be addressed. I focus on the problem and figure out why it’s a problem and then go about fixing it my own way. The feedback I’ve gotten for Faithful has been a tremendous help.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I have some ideas about a few movies I would like to start working on, but my entire focus will remain on the TV series, Faithful, until it’s complete.