SIX OF THE BEST: J.R. Scarbrough

1st April 2012

Welcome to another edition of SIX OF THE BEST, the semi regular part of BRWC where we fire six questions at lovely people. This time, we talk to screenwriter J.R. Scarbrough.

What are you up to today?

I get up every morning and throw on clothes, grab coffee, make breakfast for two great kids and then add a few pages to whatever it is I am writing at the time. That’s what I am actually doing. Taking care of a family and living my dreams.

Is it easy being a screenwriter?

It isn’t something for everyone. I have worked really hard to get good at what I do. I would say that it is probably just as easy as painting or carpentry. It takes a lot of practice and education but it isn’t rocket science. Having a good story to tell is 90% of the battle and even if you don’t have a good story to tell there is a lot of that getting produced in Hollywood.

Has my film choices changed when I became a father?

What I watch with my children has always been toned down and with a rating that is suitable for family viewing. What I watch when it is just me is pretty much the same as always. I tend to enjoy horror and movies that have a higher meaning but remain close to reality. I don’t allow my kids to view too much ‘reality’ but they are starting to grow up so it is likely to change as they progress in their teen years.

What am I working on now?

I am working on a film entitled The Familiar Kind. It is a horror film that I intend to submit to Amazon Studios once Amazon reopens the contests I just wanted to try out that system and find all the flaws so that I can point them out to anyone who might consider signing their rights away to Amazon Studios.

I actually have several projects going on at the same time. I am also working on a coming of age tale about a day trader who lives in NYC and comes home to rural WV to make peace with his dying father. I called that one To See My Kin. I just enjoy writing and can effectively work on multiple projects at once.

The greatest screenplay is…?

That one is really tough. There have been so many good screenplays that I would be hard pressed to pick just one. I can say that Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men was adapted very well for the big screen. Most of Mr. McCarthy’s novels have been done very well in screenplay form. In horror I would have to say The Strangers is one of the best horror movies on the big screen.

I am also partial to Pulp Fiction and I really enjoyed Moneyball and Hugo. Film is really hard to pick a favorite in. I love everything about film and have spent my life and education on breaking into the industry. There are so many great directors and writers out there that I think it would be impossible to say what the greatest is.

Anything else you want to get off your chest?

I hope everyone stays tuned and watches as my dreams become reality on the silver screen. The day is coming and there is talk everywhere.

I love BLT’s and anything with cheese so naturally I love BRWC!

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