Terry O'Brien
Newmarket
December 01, 2008 01:30 PM
Teresa Latchford
Screenwriter Terry O'Brien got his big break.
The Mount Albert resident grabbed the $15,000 Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Award for his original feature screenplay Flesh&Blood. It follows the journey of urban teenagers entering the wilderness to rescue an older brother from juvenile boot camp. The tale begins as a heroic adventure, but develops into kidnapping, murder and a fight for survival.
"In the tone of Deliverance, this is a coming of age story with brutal consequences," Backroad Films Corporation says of the screenplay.
Liz Alani of Final Draft Inc. presented Mr. O'Brien with his award in Hollywood last month, which included an invitation to the CineStory Retreat in Idyllwild, Cal., where the screenwriter got the chance to work one-on-one with industry mentors such as scriptwriters Mark Fergus (Ironman) and Joe Forte (Firewall). During the intensive four-day workshop, he was provided with script and career advice.
CineStory producer Amy Salko Robertson, whose recent credits include The Oh in Ohio, starring Parker Posey and Danny DeVito, calls Flesh&Blood an engaging, action-packed thriller to which Terry brings a refreshingly honest and original voice.
He is a very talented, hard-working and modest man, said Andrea Mullan, friend and co-producer of Mr. O'Brien's National Screen Institutes Totally Television program Cabbagetown, a quirky half-hour comedy TV series about an outrageously corrupt family of scam artists who resort to every comical dodge and swindle conceivable to make ends meet.
"I think his work is very good," she added. "He really has what it takes and he stays positive with such a passion."
He is dedicated to his work, putting in a solid six hours of writing even when he is on vacation, she laughed. To her, Mr. O'Brien's creativity and integrity, not to mention his talent, makes him a joy to work alongside.
"To tell you the truth, I was happy just to be in the top three," Mr. O'Brien said of the award. "The third place winner was called and it wasn't me, then the second, again it wasn't me. I was a little surprised to be first."
He describes the award as a validation of what he has been doing for the better part of 12 years. The recognition has opened doors of opportunity for the local screenwriter, having landed readings of his work that may not have taken place without the accreditation.
"It raises some eyebrows in the industry," he explained.
He always loved to read as as childhood, but after high school, he wasn't a teenager with a career plan. He travelled the world, hoping it would open his eyes and give him experiences that would help him choose the right career path for himself.
"I had no idea you could study film," he said, noting he discovered this while searching through post-secondary course selection books. So his love of movies led him to university and motion picture studies."
His first indie feature as writer and director, Stolen Heart, was created on a shoe-string budget, he said, but despite being a low budget film, he was invited to more than a dozen international film festivals, garnering two best feature film awards before it was purchased by HBO and TMN.
"I think everyone has themes they are attracted to," he said when asked about his inspiration. "I like things about real issues, family and everyday people who are in over their heads."
He finds inspiration and support from his family who live on a small farm in Mount Albert, where his wife is a horseback riding instructor. He has stayed in York Region for the love of the people and the community.
"Anything you can hit with a hammer is my domain on the farm," he chuckled, when asked about his chores. "I have a great life."
He is working on the adaptation of a novel and spends his spare time playing squash or golf.
"The award is great, but it lasts about three minutes," he said. "It's the desire and the devotion that keeps you going."
Big Break is a global screenwriting contest, created in 2000, to support upcoming screenwriters with cash, prizes and A-list executive meetings. The final judging is determined from thousands of international entries and done by a panel of industry professionals.