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Screenplay by: J. H. Wyman

An Exclusive Interview with the J.H. Wyman, writer of The Mexican

SSI: What influences inspired you to become a screenwriter and/or filmmaker?

J.H.: Albert Camus. Krzysztof Kieslowski. Robert Bresson.

SSI: How did you learn the craft or perfect your talent as a screenwriter?

J.H: Rewriting. From time to time, I write stories that I never intend to produce. Some of these stories have no right to be produced, others are very pretty and would make wonderful films. The point is that I write them for no other reason than to write them. It's pure. I'm taking no one's money, so I am able to experiment. It doesn't matter if anyone sees them, or feels them, or reads them, or comments, or criticizes them, it makes no difference. They are experiments...a riff...a joy...my art. I am looking for a more efficient manner to expose the philosophy I'm trying to put into words and images...I search for new ways to express myself, to discover unique methods to reveal my plots...some work, and some don't, but I keep trying. I keep rewriting. Most people don't like to rewrite. Utter nonsense. You must.

SSI: What was your first big break?

J.H: When David Geffen, Jeffery Katzenberg, and Steven Spielberg read "The Mexican." They committed to making the movie with or without movie stars.

SSI: How did the project The Mexican come about?

J.H: I wrote The Mexican and thought, yes we will try and make this one. Originally, I first set it up with another company, a smaller company, but we couldn't make a deal. I ended up buying back the rights, and reassessing the situation. Eventually, my investors, with whom I had another film that I was writing to direct, read The Mexican and asked me what I wanted to do with it. I had a lot of offers to buy it outright, but I didn't want to sell it for various reasons. One of which, I wanted to maintain creative control, and as a rule, you can't do that when you take money. We agreed to set it up together, and we both felt it would be at the seven to ten million dollar mark. We all knew it was a very unique film, (read: independent and small).

We sort've had our hands tied in that way -- I mean, we had to be responsible financially. We had no idea that it was going to get made at the budget level it ended up getting made at once Miss Roberts, and Brad Pitt agreed to be a part of it.

SSI: What memorable experience stands out while being on the (The Mexican) set?

J.H: Watching [Director] Gore Verbinski call "action" for the first time.

SSI: What do you want moviegoers to walkaway with after seeing (The Mexican)?

J.H: That was unique. I felt something, and I want to talk about it.

SSI: Are there any exciting scripts currently in the works?

J.H: Gore (Verbinski) and I, are currently in pre production on our next film, "Project 3" (we number our working titles) for our production company Smashing. Revolution Studios is financing, Sony distribution.

SSI: In what ways has Movie Magic Screenwriter been useful to your craft as a screenwriter?

J.H: I've been using Movie Magic Screenwriter since it went to market. Movie Magic Screenwriter just made everything faster...better...it's the next evolutionary step...it rocks!

Anyone who works on our team, works on Screenwriter. Period.

SSI: What helpful advice can you offer aspiring screenwriters eager to break into the entertainment business?

J.H: Believe in yourself. Believe in what you say. Tell the truth. Go write.