This week we’re excited to bring you an interview with screenwriter Shane Weisfeld from Toronto, Canada. Shane is the co-writer of the feature film Freezer, a one-location crime-thriller which was released on DVD earlier this year. He became a produced writer for the first time at the age of 38 after years of rejection. He says: “It’s taken over 16 years for me to get to this point but I’m glad things happened for me this late because I cherish any success all the more knowing what I’ve put into it.”
Shane talks screenplays, stamina and shares the lessons he’s learnt along the way…
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
I love doing me – which is writing. I love improving by putting the necessary work into it and learning. I was born with a pad and pen (in my left hand) but the key is really being active in what I do and not just sitting around thinking or wishing it. However, I also love the struggle, because it really defines who I am. I actually love getting rejection because it makes me stronger; getting knocked down and bouncing right back; doing the daily grind and perfecting my craft one day at a time. So it’s not just a matter of loving it when you make a living at it, you have to love everything involved in the pursuit – even all the crap that comes with it.
2. How hard has it been to break into the film industry? Tell us about the journey you’ve been on…
Trying to break into the film industry is like trying to scale Mount Everest, wearing flip-flops. It’s been exponentially hard to get to this point and it doesn’t get any easier – and I’ve still got a long way to go. I’ve learned so much about what I’m capable of because of this crazy journey. This wild ride has seen highs and lows and everything in between, and it has taken much more than talent and hard work; what has gotten me here and will continue to propel me is relentless perseverance, sheer tenacity, indomitable determination and hardcore discipline.
3. Why have you stuck with it? What keeps you going?
I’m in that very tiny percentage of people who have a burning desire to do something for a living, no matter how long it takes or how much rejection there is. It goes beyond just loving the craft of writing. What keeps me going is knowing that my goals will be reached, in both big and small increments, over time, as long as I stick with it and never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever quit. It comes down to the measure of my emotional and psychological stamina. Am I a quitter? Am I someone who will settle and compromise for something else? Am I someone who goes for the fast and easy results? Am I someone who can’t take a plethora of rejection? Or am I someone who will fight tooth and nail for what he wants? Someone who’s willing to go the distance, knowing where my true strength lies and paying those dues that will result in my own definition of success and hard-to-earn respect.
My infamous rejection pile! I’ve kept every single letter since the first in January ’98
4. What did you do before this? How did you feel back then?
I’ve been a writer my whole life and don’t remember a point when I wasn’t writing. Before I took up screenwriting there were other writing and creative outlets. Anyone who knows me knows about another thing I was doing for so many years where I was being myself and telling stories, because, as Rakim used to say, MC means move the crowd. I always knew that, when I’m writing, I don’t need to be doing something else, and pursuing it as a career – and not a dream – would mean serious energy, effort, sacrifice and thick skin, which I had already been building.
5. Tell us more about Freezer… what’s it about and how did it come to fruition?
Freezer was my first produced credit as a screenwriter starring Dylan McDermott, Yuliya Snigir, Peter Facinelli, Milan Malisic, Andrey Ivchenko and other great actors. The whole story takes place in a… freezer!
It came to fruition through mounds of persistence, collaboration and a very small window of opportunity. It was written partly out of frustration, love of the genre and following the marketplace.
The script was first conceived in July 2010 and by January of 2013 the baby was born before the cameras, and it was released exactly a year after filming. The turnaround was pretty fast by industry standards, and I feel lucky and thankful that it all came together so well, considering it was also my first legit script deal.
Scenes from the film
6. What is a typical writing day for you like?
Every day is writing day for me. If I’m not writing, I’m rewriting, and if not that, I’m generating ideas, concepts, loglines and characters. I prefer to write in the early morning and I actually write in long-hand first and then when I type it up on the computer it becomes a second draft because I’ll start doing edits. I come from the David Mamet school of writing.
7. Where do you find your inspiration?
People who struggled for years and who made something from nothing are my inspiration – in any industry or livelihood. I’m also inspired by people who love what they do, who have worked hard at it and who never take it for granted. On top of that, inspiration comes from knowing that goals will be reached as long as I continue to strive for them. As the saying goes:“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
8. What role does play take in your creative process? What do you do to get your creative juices flowing?
I actually don’t consider writing to be fun. Honestly, writing is hard, laborious, strenuous work that requires hair-pulling solitude. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing, but I don’t necessarily have a good time doing it and staring at blank pages! That being said, my creative juices flow when I challenge myself to show my true personality and voice, when I try and come up with something as original and unique as possible. I definitely don’t have a smile on my face when I do it. I do get a little smirk and sigh of relief when I’m finished a script though, but still, that’s just a first draft. Then the rewrite begins. Oh boy. But you know what? I don’t know how to do anything else, and frankly, I don’t wanna do anything else.
9. Whose work in film do you most admire? Who’s your role model?
I admire a lot of people, especially those who do what they want and make smart choices. John Sayles, David Mamet, The Coen Bros., Alexander Payne and Spike Lee are amazing writers and filmmakers who have a very unique vision and voice. Steven Knight, Peter Morgan, Ronald Harwood and Paul Attanasio are screenwriters I greatly admire. In terms of an industry exec role model, there’s a producer out there by the name of Cassian Elwes, who spent years as an agent in the independent world and made a lot of money. He doesn’t take on films because they’re commercial or easy to market or thinks they’ll make money – he champions them because he’s emotionally attached, loves the story and wants to give writers and filmmakers the chance to break through. You don’t see a lot of producers doing what he does. It just so happens that some of the films he has done have gone on to make a lot of money and win awards.
10. What’s next for you?
I’m currently writing two new features. I’ve got some bites on an original, dramatic TV series pilot of mine, and I just made the cut in some writing competitions. I’d love to do more speaking engagements too because I love motivating and inspiring people.
11. What’s your ultimate dream?
To be stranded on an island with Salma Hayek! That word “dream” gets tossed around a lot, but for me it’s always been a career goal – this screenwriting thing. I simply want to be a working writer in this business. Over and above that, I’ve got other big goals such as having one of my films premier at TIFF, Cannes or Sundance, and producing as well. Directing has never been an aspiration of mine, I’ve always had the mindset more of a producer – the guy who finds the right material, works with writers to develop it, gets the elements attached, then sells the film at markets and festivals. Everything from the ground up.
12. What advice would you give someone who wants to break into the film industry?
If you’re totally serious and it’s something you can’t see yourself not doing, then go for it, but be prepared for years of rejection and no progression. I’ve found there’s usually two main extremes on how you break in – you either get lucky right out of the gate by being in the right place at the right time, or you spend years and years working at it before something finally happens. There’s middle ground of course, but if anything, be ready for the long haul, be willing to work harder than the next person and remember that opportunities might be scarce and small, but they’re still springboards for something bigger so don’t become a victim of your own ego or expectations.
Shane’s snapshot…
Happiest moment: On the subject of film – being on set of my movie and watching the whole crew and actors work because of this thing I wrote.
Most inspiring film seen: The Color of Paradise (Majid Majidi)
Most inspiring book read: I Am Malala
Best light-bulb moment: One time during TIFF, watching a film called The Lives Of Others, and afterwards giving a standing ovation (which I never do), and shaking my head saying to myself ‘this is why I love film and don’t want to do anything else as a career.’
Director you’d most like to work with: William Friedkin
Anything is possible… what’s your wish? For all the great stories and voices in the world to be heard and reach an audience.
Quote you live by: “Figure out what you love to do, as young as you can, and then organize your life around figuring out how to make a living at it.” – Pat Williams
