Interview with writer Paula Murrain
Welcome Paula we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.
First off, Who is Paula Murrain and how did the passion for writing start ?
Writing, specifically screenwriting was inevitable. Movies have been part of my life since I was very young, I vividly remember watching Star Wars, Jaws II, Death Wish II, and The Car as a child. Some of these movies are classics, some of them are forgettable, many were completely inappropriate for a child but they all made lasting impressions. My interest in film and film making was put on hold while I pursued an entirely different career in Public Health. I never thought a career in screenwriting was attainable or part of my future. I believe my passion for writing was bubbling underneath the surface all of this time. I didn’t realize my potential until I was published for the first time in 2011.
Can you tell us about your previous work ?
My previous work was very technical. I wrote journal articles and technical playbooks about subjects such as the health affects of the exposure to biological, chemical, and radiological incidents. My intended audience had to make major decisions about protecting the public based on the information in the material I created, so the information had to be concise and relevant. I apply the same the bottom line up front strategy to my current works.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: Loyalty
How has writing helped you express yourself while also providing a therapeutic effect to challenge your creativity ?
Writing allows me to marry my technical writing skills with my love of storytelling. Seeing a story go from an idea to a finished work is very therapeutic. I create an entire world with complex and lovable characters interacting with each other for a common purpose. My favorite part of the screenwriting process are table reads. Hearing the action and dialogue read aloud is so satisfying.
What should the audience know beforehand about our protagonist, Chris Morgan ?
Chris Morgan is one of my favorite protagonists. Chris is a culmination of many of my past colleagues I worked with at the Department of Homeland Security. He is perfectly flawed, he appears to have it all together but as the story progresses we see that he has insecurities and doubts about his abilities just like the rest of us. I feel the audience can relate to the challenges he faces.
What inspired this suspenseful action drama ?
The idea for Loyalty was inspired by my past work with Homeland. I was part of a team that worked extensively on studying the health affects of Fentanyl. Fentanyl is synthetic opioid additive cut into street drugs. So many people have died or have been affected personally by a Fentanyl related death. I wanted to create a story showing the coordinated effort of all of the local and Federal government agencies working hard to stop the flow of this drug into the country.
Coming from a Public Health and Management background. Are the overall themes you want to explore related to your experiences or completely new ?
Yes, the overall themes I explore are related to my experiences. My background and experiences made me who I am today. I believe it adds realism to the story. I sprinkle elements of myself in all of my works.
The overall theme for Loyalty is directly related to my Public Health and Emergency Management background.
What is the target audience of your work and what is the message they should convey ?
The target audience of Loyalty and many of my other works are those who enjoy thrillers with an interesting ensemble of characters working together against injustice. My goal is to have the audience cheering for the “good guys”. Yes, this has been done before but I believe my approach to this genre is a unique one.
Is there any advice you would give to upcoming authors and screenwriters ?
My advice to upcoming authors and screenwriters is to write something, anything everyday. Jot down every idea and every dream that stays in your head, there is a great story brewing. Be observant. Interesting dialogue and a hilarious scene can be found in everyday scenarios.
Any future projects incoming ? Along with personal aspirations.
I’m happy to announce I’m working on a book adaptation with a writing partner. We are developing a limited series about a Washington, DC detective, based on a novel by SF Phillips. I’m really excited about this project because I’m working collaboratively with a great partner and we are taking this story to a fun and intriguing place.
That was the interview with our beloved creator Paula Murrain. Our community is rising everyday, new talented filmakers and screenwriters get onboard. Be sure to check the rest of our interviews and why not schedule one for yourself to promote your work. To publish an interview simply submit on the INTERVIEW OF YOUR FILM category on our Filmfreeway page.
