Interview with Phobia Industries on 5/3/07
Q: Let me just start off by saying I saw the trailer on your site ThreeDecadesIn.com
and I enjoyed it very much, and I admire the way you're trying to get
the word out there with this sorta rebel grass roots approach. That's
a big reason why I wanted to talk to you.
RA: Wow, thanks that is really nice of you to say. Yeah, this is how I think I stand the best chance of being noticed. I have spent my life in this business as a performer, but I don't have enough of a "name" to just get my writing read so I figured I'd just take it right to the people so to speak. That's fine with me though I have always been on the outside of the mainstream why stop now? I don't know any other way to live.
Q: Is there one thing you wish you had done differently coming out of college?
RA: I wish I started writing sooner! I followed the path you're supposed to follow got a job was working professionally for a few years before I realized that wasn't for me. Then I left all that and started doing stand up comedy in New York City I was happy but I wasn't doing what I really needed to do and I started writing alot and well here we are. I'm glad I'm here now but I just wish I was here earlier.
Q: What makes good comedy writing considering today's comedy?
RA: Probably what has made for good comedy writing forever. Characters you like and care about in situations they need to overcome and which they never could have expected. Basically tell a good story with good people.
Q: What made you think the NYC stand-up scene was for you?
RA: What? Umm I don't know I don't think I can even answer that one. Sorta like why Bruce Wayne has to be Batman and troll filthy alleys at night. I can't explain it, but I need it.
Q: The movie is about becoming 30 yrs. old and how so many people especially guys have such a hard time with it, do you think that's so true?
RA: Yes, I absolutely do, that number messes with your head especially nowadays because in the past you were settled in to your life by 30 now that's just not the case. In modern America it's so unsettled that so many people especially men with the expectations put on them through society about income, have a tough time dealing with that day, that number.
Q: Really? So in Three Decades In, the character you play in the trailer Mark is that you?
RA: I mean yes and no. Certainly based around my life and I definitely drew on my experiences as well. He's also different from me in some ways too. Bottom line though, all in all without me there'd be no Mark, if you know what I mean.
Q: I hear you, between the trailer and the web site's extended scene's I really enjoyed the Stand-up related scenes, is that how stand up really is? Are those characters based on real performers?
RA: (Laughs) No Comment.
Q: OK then well since this is so authentic in many ways, is being 20, still being in college and all a big disadvantage even if you have a good story and ideas but not the best written script.
RA: I'd say no, I'd say live your life for YOU. At 20 you're probably limited in life experience but that doesn't mean you don't have a great story in you. Write it down, and run with it.
Q: Was there anything in your background that helped you become a better comedy writer?
RA: Yeah, self loathing. I always thought everything I did was wrong or not good enough, and if I risked everything I'd be mocked endlessly. (Laughs) Well, here we are, I guess I was right.
Q: I understand it is not a good idea to mix genres. In your opinion, are there exceptions to this rule?
RA: I'd say write what you know get noticed, and make someone money, and then you'll be able to stretch your wings I think.
Q: How much emphasis do you place on paradigms and screenplay structure?
RA: Paradigms? (Laughs) Check out the brain on Brad, (laughs more) Only Paradigm I know is Paradigm Talent Agency? I'm not with them, shocker!
I'm kidding, I'd say the "paradigms" are important, because these are things that just tell the story well. Many, many movies get made but as with any story you just need a beginning, middle and an ending. Sure you can get creative with these things if you want, but at the end of the day I think you do need them.
Q: What's the starting for you, characters or premise?
RA: That's a good one I think for me it's sort of both. I look at an overall premise then think to myself who would move this story and the characters, the main ones anyway, come into my mind pretty much immediately. So for me I'd say it's like 1 and 1A.
Q: Do you more often start with a funny situation and then let the whole thing explode on paper, or do you start with a complete story from beginning to end and fill in where it is lacking?
RA: That can depend, but usually I map out a loose story structure then let the situations kind of blow up and move the story along.
Q: Starting out, did you attend screenwriting conferences? If so, did they help?
RA: No, I think I just drew upon my former writing career and my stand up background, knowing where the pulse of the people is and knowing how to pop a line or whatnot. Put them together as well heavily researching script formats and necessities, and there you have it, my writing style and background.
Q: So where did you learn the basics of screenwriting? From reading other scripts?
RA: Yes, I read alot of scripts as well as numerous books on screenwriting, mostly for structure and elemental points, the content is from me.
Q: Some of your favorite movies?
RA: Comedy wise, Dumb and Dumber is a classic, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World always makes me laugh for three straight hours, also pretty much any movie Bill Murray has done, that man is fantastic.
Q: You mention characters as a point of interest, yet comedy isn't the best genre to express characters?
RA: That's true-ish. I mean yeah in your average Chris Farley movie you laughed because Chris was so funny with his general character. Other comedies are funny because you really like the characters, for example Meet the Parents, Robert DeNiro is far different from Chris Farley I'd say, but we care about that character so we laugh at the situations based on that.
Q: How do I get started? What do I need to do to get my foot in the door as a screenwriter?
RA: I'm sure there's a million ways I know I went through the back window but if it works for me then that way or any other way you make it work. I don't really know I guess you can get entry level at a film company and hope you are liked and move up or whatever but so are alot of other people. I'm a believer in "make it work like that" whatever you can do or how you can figure it out, then that's the way.
Q: Are you now writing full-time and (pardon the tacky question) is it paying the bills to your satisfaction?
RA: I wish! I still have to do commercials, stand up, whatever the struggling NY artist has to do. If this project gets off the ground as I hope it will then I guess ask me again a year after that. Either way I'll still be doing stand-up but if this goes I'll get better spots (laughs).
Q: Should young college age writers out there major in film?
RA: I can't answer something like that for you. If you're in college just don't look at it as passing tests, try and look at it as learning things you want to learn, enjoy the process, I wish I had done that more.
Q: Any final thoughts for the readers out there?
RA: Yeah please support the project even if it's just a message board post, also support any local artists you see doing anything that makes you stop and think about anything even for a moment. These people are far to often not heard just support those who are doing it on their own and try and respect how hard that truly is. Artists or anyone else only go so far as the support they get.
RA: Wow, thanks that is really nice of you to say. Yeah, this is how I think I stand the best chance of being noticed. I have spent my life in this business as a performer, but I don't have enough of a "name" to just get my writing read so I figured I'd just take it right to the people so to speak. That's fine with me though I have always been on the outside of the mainstream why stop now? I don't know any other way to live.
Q: Is there one thing you wish you had done differently coming out of college?
RA: I wish I started writing sooner! I followed the path you're supposed to follow got a job was working professionally for a few years before I realized that wasn't for me. Then I left all that and started doing stand up comedy in New York City I was happy but I wasn't doing what I really needed to do and I started writing alot and well here we are. I'm glad I'm here now but I just wish I was here earlier.
Q: What makes good comedy writing considering today's comedy?
RA: Probably what has made for good comedy writing forever. Characters you like and care about in situations they need to overcome and which they never could have expected. Basically tell a good story with good people.
Q: What made you think the NYC stand-up scene was for you?
RA: What? Umm I don't know I don't think I can even answer that one. Sorta like why Bruce Wayne has to be Batman and troll filthy alleys at night. I can't explain it, but I need it.
Q: The movie is about becoming 30 yrs. old and how so many people especially guys have such a hard time with it, do you think that's so true?
RA: Yes, I absolutely do, that number messes with your head especially nowadays because in the past you were settled in to your life by 30 now that's just not the case. In modern America it's so unsettled that so many people especially men with the expectations put on them through society about income, have a tough time dealing with that day, that number.
Q: Really? So in Three Decades In, the character you play in the trailer Mark is that you?
RA: I mean yes and no. Certainly based around my life and I definitely drew on my experiences as well. He's also different from me in some ways too. Bottom line though, all in all without me there'd be no Mark, if you know what I mean.
Q: I hear you, between the trailer and the web site's extended scene's I really enjoyed the Stand-up related scenes, is that how stand up really is? Are those characters based on real performers?
RA: (Laughs) No Comment.
Q: OK then well since this is so authentic in many ways, is being 20, still being in college and all a big disadvantage even if you have a good story and ideas but not the best written script.
RA: I'd say no, I'd say live your life for YOU. At 20 you're probably limited in life experience but that doesn't mean you don't have a great story in you. Write it down, and run with it.
Q: Was there anything in your background that helped you become a better comedy writer?
RA: Yeah, self loathing. I always thought everything I did was wrong or not good enough, and if I risked everything I'd be mocked endlessly. (Laughs) Well, here we are, I guess I was right.
Q: I understand it is not a good idea to mix genres. In your opinion, are there exceptions to this rule?
RA: I'd say write what you know get noticed, and make someone money, and then you'll be able to stretch your wings I think.
Q: How much emphasis do you place on paradigms and screenplay structure?
RA: Paradigms? (Laughs) Check out the brain on Brad, (laughs more) Only Paradigm I know is Paradigm Talent Agency? I'm not with them, shocker!
I'm kidding, I'd say the "paradigms" are important, because these are things that just tell the story well. Many, many movies get made but as with any story you just need a beginning, middle and an ending. Sure you can get creative with these things if you want, but at the end of the day I think you do need them.
Q: What's the starting for you, characters or premise?
RA: That's a good one I think for me it's sort of both. I look at an overall premise then think to myself who would move this story and the characters, the main ones anyway, come into my mind pretty much immediately. So for me I'd say it's like 1 and 1A.
Q: Do you more often start with a funny situation and then let the whole thing explode on paper, or do you start with a complete story from beginning to end and fill in where it is lacking?
RA: That can depend, but usually I map out a loose story structure then let the situations kind of blow up and move the story along.
Q: Starting out, did you attend screenwriting conferences? If so, did they help?
RA: No, I think I just drew upon my former writing career and my stand up background, knowing where the pulse of the people is and knowing how to pop a line or whatnot. Put them together as well heavily researching script formats and necessities, and there you have it, my writing style and background.
Q: So where did you learn the basics of screenwriting? From reading other scripts?
RA: Yes, I read alot of scripts as well as numerous books on screenwriting, mostly for structure and elemental points, the content is from me.
Q: Some of your favorite movies?
RA: Comedy wise, Dumb and Dumber is a classic, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World always makes me laugh for three straight hours, also pretty much any movie Bill Murray has done, that man is fantastic.
Q: You mention characters as a point of interest, yet comedy isn't the best genre to express characters?
RA: That's true-ish. I mean yeah in your average Chris Farley movie you laughed because Chris was so funny with his general character. Other comedies are funny because you really like the characters, for example Meet the Parents, Robert DeNiro is far different from Chris Farley I'd say, but we care about that character so we laugh at the situations based on that.
Q: How do I get started? What do I need to do to get my foot in the door as a screenwriter?
RA: I'm sure there's a million ways I know I went through the back window but if it works for me then that way or any other way you make it work. I don't really know I guess you can get entry level at a film company and hope you are liked and move up or whatever but so are alot of other people. I'm a believer in "make it work like that" whatever you can do or how you can figure it out, then that's the way.
Q: Are you now writing full-time and (pardon the tacky question) is it paying the bills to your satisfaction?
RA: I wish! I still have to do commercials, stand up, whatever the struggling NY artist has to do. If this project gets off the ground as I hope it will then I guess ask me again a year after that. Either way I'll still be doing stand-up but if this goes I'll get better spots (laughs).
Q: Should young college age writers out there major in film?
RA: I can't answer something like that for you. If you're in college just don't look at it as passing tests, try and look at it as learning things you want to learn, enjoy the process, I wish I had done that more.
Q: Any final thoughts for the readers out there?
RA: Yeah please support the project even if it's just a message board post, also support any local artists you see doing anything that makes you stop and think about anything even for a moment. These people are far to often not heard just support those who are doing it on their own and try and respect how hard that truly is. Artists or anyone else only go so far as the support they get.