Interviews

The Spec Script Library

Screenwriter : Dan Bivens

Dan Bivens of Etowah used to live in the swamps
" but it was too damp" so now he's opted for a house
in Etowah, USA

. . .

What is your passion?

Screen writing and my children
(not necessarily in that order, of course)

What is your pride?

Same as my passion.

What is your greatest fear?

That my ex-wives will come back ... yikes!!

What does adversity do to you?

Pisses me off ... THEN it causes me to work that much harder.

What is your best quality?

My ability to work on two or three screenplays simultaneously
AND finish them quickly.

What is your worst quality?

My impatience with myself. I'm my own worst critic,
which is why I'm glad I have partners.

What irksome habits do you have?

Aside from growing fangs at night, turning into a bat, and sucking blood, probably watching far too much TV during breaks from my screen writing.

If you could have your time again, what would you do that is different?

Go to college a lot sooner and realize I need writing partners
rather than going it alone.

What would you like to change about yourself?

My weight and thinning hair.

About others?

Everything.

How important is goal setting to you?

I don't know, I'm still setting it. Just kidding.
It's EXTREMELY important! Without a goal ... the loftier the better ...
no screenwriter will ever make the most of their talent.

What goals do you have?

For our writing group, Martian Productions, to become the Amblin Entertainment of the 21st Century! And we WILL, too!

What is your ultimate goal?

Is ruling the world a little over the top?

What heroes do you have?

I LOVE superheroes, but if you mean flesh-and-blood: all the great sci-fi masters, and most especially Harlan Ellison. Not only is Harlan a bona fide genius in my book, but he don't take crap from anybody! I can relate to that.

What inspires you in others?

Tenacity and self-confidence.

What inspires you in yourself?

My partners' confidence in me.

What will be written on your headstone?

"Roses are red, Violets are blue, D'Lynn is dead, so screw you!"
At least, that's what I'd want it to read to all those who doubted me and my talents. Otherwise, I'd just want it to say, "I never gave up on my dreams and my dreams never gave up on me."

What does success mean to you?

Critical acclaim, public acceptance, and financial security ...
in that order.

How do you measure success?

By the selling of screenplays and the feedback from partners, producers,
and more importantly from the public.

What are your pet hates?

Snakes, spiders, and maggots ... especially maggots, because
they're so hard to buy food for.

What are your pet loves?

Dogs and cats. And, naturally, writing, writing, writing!!

What do you think of pets?

I love anything that is warm-blooded and has fur ...
which doesn't include my ex-wives.

When are you happiest?

Writing.

When are you hardest to please?

When I'm NOT writing.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Breaking wind in study hall as a kid.
But it was still cool!

What's the most exhilarating thing you have done?

Joining forces with my writing partners to create
Martian Productions.

What is it about screenwriting that gets your fired?

The creation of people and situations that become more real
than my own world. Perhaps they ARE real ...

What screenplays have you written?

Along with my partners: MARTIAN PASSAGES (a sci-fi), PLANET SCANNERS (sci-fi), LET'S TALK! (a comedy), and THE 3rd DAY (a fantasy drama), all of which are currently either in the hands of producers are on their way
to producers.

What is your favorite pastime?

Writing ... and, during my breaks, watching TV, videotaped movies, pay-per-view, and going to the theater for those "special-event" movies.

What is your favorite motto?

Never, ever give up ... no matter what!

If you would like to contact Dan Bivens
please mail him

. . .

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