Interview

Bret Thurman

Screenwriter of UnChristmas in Bethlehem

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the screenwriter Bret for taking the time to answer our questions.

Whole team of Liverpool Indie Awards is wishing you the very best in all your future projects. We hope to see more of your exceptional work in the years to come. Thank you once again!

What inspired you to become a screenwriter, and what motivates you to keep writing?

I started writing scripts because I had stories to tell. UnChristmas in Bethlehem comes from my interest in anonymous Bible characters that step on stage, say two or three lines, and change everything. These people, like the shepherds and wise men at Christmas, have stories that should be told.

Can you walk us through your creative process, from brainstorming an idea to completing a script?

Brainstorming is a passion to tell a story, about Christmas or an immigration lawyer or whatever. That passion fuels the purpose to develop a storyline, create characters, and otherwise flesh out that story. Finishing the script is the hard part because, as they say, everything is always 90 percent done.

How do you develop compelling characters, and what makes them stand out in your stories?

I have issues developing characters. I must intentionally create female and nonwhite characters. Otherwise, all characters will be white men. However, once I create the character and the character’s personality, the rest is downhill.

Tell us about your latest project—what is the story behind it, and what themes does it explore?

My latest project was a departure for me. I collaborated on a legal thriller script which was based in Hong Kong. As a screenwriter, every new script is a stretch for me, and I like that.

How do you navigate the collaboration process with directors, producers, and other creatives?

This process is not easy because directors and producers have different agendas. Directors, and screenwriters for that matter, usually just want to make art and don’t care about the financial end. Producers normally want to make money and care little about artistic value. We must empathize with one another to successfully collaborate with one another.

Have you faced any significant challenges as a screenwriter? If so, how did you overcome them?

Everyone faces challenges doing anything. As a screenwriter, I often find myself staring at a blank computer screen not knowing what to type. But like any onstacle, there’s always a way over, around, or through this problem.

In your opinion, how is the role of screenwriters evolving in today’s film industry?

As a novice screenwriter I’m not sure I have an opinion on this subject.

What advice would you give to emerging screenwriters who are just starting their journey?

Write what you know and it’s not as easy as it looks.

What are your long-term goals as a screenwriter, and what impact do you hope to make in the industry?

Long term (hopefully not too long!) I want my scripts to become movies so I can share these stories with the people that need to hear them.

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