What’s your name? Where were you born? Where do you live? And what’s your hobby?
Gary Giudice. I was born in New York City and I still live here. My hobbies are reading, binge watching true crime docs, and (sometimes) exercising.
Where did you come up with the concept that just placed as Finalist in the screenplay contest? How long did it take you to develop it into the screenplay it is now?
My friend Santo came up with the concept. It was such a compelling premise it only took me about 2 weeks to write.
From concept to finished draft, can you take us through your screenwriting process?
I wrote from page 1 forward because Santo had done such a great job developing the ending so I knew where it needed to go. Once I developed the gentrification angle then it was just a matter of stacking the obstacles against Scratch and building out the rest of the supporting characters.
When did you realize that you wanted to become a screenwriter?
I started taking screenwriting classes 3 years ago.
Who are your biggest filmmaking/screenwriting influences? What about their style do you like or borrow?
I have an affinity for NYC filmmakers. Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and Sidney Lumet are some of my biggest influences. Screenwriting-wise, I like Steven Zaillian, William Monaghan, Eric Roth, and William Goldman. I like their melds of entertainment with realism and humanism.
Have you ever been obsessed with a movie or TV show? If so, which one? Why?
I am obsessed with “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. I think it’s one of the most innovative and hilarious shows ever created.
What’s your favorite moment in cinema history? Why?
Michael Corleone becoming The Godfather. It’s an extraordinary melding of theme, story, character cinematically.
Who’s your favorite character in cinema history? Why?
I like Charlie from Mean Streets because he is the first character I ever saw that reminded me of me and my friends.
If you could talk to anyone from any era, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Ernest Hemingway. How do you edit and rewrite your manuscripts on a typewriter?
