Part 1.

I knew I wanted to be screenwriter........

when I first saw Jaws in a local movie theater when I was 11 years old (yes, even as a kid you could walk in and watch an R-rated movie with no problem back then!). I was blown away by the story, the pace, the conflict, the characters (especially the great Robert Shaw), and of course that incredible ending.  That is when I fell in love with movies and ever since that experience I’ve wanted to create a movie of my own (even though it took me two years before I would stick my toes in the ocean again).  I especially love creating characters, and in my stories I love confronting them with impossible dilemmas, like in Returning Stanley.

I know I've succeeded........ 

when a professional in the industry decides that a story and characters that I created in my head and on my laptop should be seen on film. That would be an exciting day.
 

My inspiration to write Returning Stanley.....

came when I was watching the Penguins beat the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals. The next day there was a news report about how each of the Penguin players would get to take the illustrious Stanley Cup trophy home with them for a day, and could bring it anywhere they wanted. I saw one player with it in his backyard at a barbecue, and I thought oh my God, what if it got stolen?  That would make a funny movie. But then it hit me that trophy is a one-of-a-kind; it is literally the Mona Lisa of the sports world.  If you stole it, you would probably be the most hunted person on Earth. And then what would you do with it?  What would be funny, I decided, would be a movie about trying to return it, without getting caught.

Once I had that basic concept down, I knew it had to be based on Long Island, where I grew up, and had to involve the guys from my neighborhood.  Not two particular guys, but the exact type of guys that I knew in my town.  In my neighborhood, there were dozens of Dannys and Angelos' lovable, funny, warm people who, let’s say, sometimes would make questionable decisions.  Also, Returning Stanley allowed me to combine two things I love, sports and mob movies!

Part 2.

FilmMakers Magazine: What inspired you to write?

Patrick Bonner: My family inspires me to write. They fill me with joy and there is a lot of laughter in my house. That is the best fuel for creativity I can think of.

FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to write your first script?

Patrick Bonner: When I decided that I was going to write my first screenplay, and had the basic concept of Returning Stanley in my head, the first thing I did was read as many screenplays as I could get my hands on. I started with some of my favorite movies and those by my favorite writers. I easily read over 50 screenplays before I put pen to paper. I also read a few books on screenplay writing that were enormously informative (my favorite being Save the Cat! By Blake Snyder). From there it was writing outlines and taking notes until I had the screenplay structured the way I wanted.

FilmMakers Magazine: Is this your first script and how long did it take you to complete?

Patrick Bonner: Returning Stanley is my first screenplay, and it took me about a month to complete my first draft. The night I finished I clicked save, shut the laptop, and went to bed very proud of myself. The next day I opened the file and scrolled to the end, 137 pages. Then I realized the work had just begun.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?

Patrick Bonner: I know a lot of writers do, but I really don’t. With my hectic schedule, it is often difficult to set aside a certain time and place to write. But when I have an idea and a creative path in my head, I can go on very little sleep and can dive into my projects with a lot of energy. So a lot of times I find myself writing in the very early mornings, and late at night. I also place deadlines on myself, which I find to be very helpful.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?

Patrick Bonner: I certainly do. These contests give a voice and a platform to writers who otherwise would have no access to the industry. They give unknown writers recognition and exposure to a wide audience, and they have the potential to launch a career. Also, the people who run these contests deserve a lot of credit for providing the opportunities that the contests offer.

FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the FilmMakers International Screenwriting Awards / Screenplay Contest?

Patrick Bonner: Filmmakers enjoys a reputation for being one of the best screenwriting contests available, and it really comes through in terms of providing exposure to its Winners, Runners-Up and Finalists. I also really liked the fact that Filmmakers has multiple levels of winners (First Round Qualifiers through Winners), which means that a lot of writers can use their placement in the contest to market their work.

FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?

Patrick Bonner: Boy, there are so many. But try Annie Hall by Woody Allen, especially if you love comedies. I’ve read it about five times. There isn’t a wasted word in the entire script and it is flat-out hilarious. 

FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?

Patrick Bonner: In addition to screenwriting, I enjoy sports and physical fitness. I especially love basketball – playing, coaching and, along with Spike Lee, watching every New York Knicks game for the last 30 years.

FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?

Patrick Bonner: My favorite screenwriters are Ethan and Joel Coen. Their stories are creative, intelligent, witty and downright entertaining. The scripts are so vivid that the words force the film to play in your head, you can see the characters and scenes right on the page. Just incredible writers. I’ve read every one of their screenplays that is available on the Internet and sometimes I think I enjoy the scripts as much as the movies.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?

Patrick Bonner: Woody Allen. I am a huge fan of his wit and intellect and I am admittedly biased in favor of his New York-based settings. One of his lesser known movies " Broadway Danny Rose" happens to be one of my top ten favorite movies.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?

Patrick Bonner: Because I love comedies, I would pick Will Farrell. A good friend once told me, don’t try to analyze funny. Did you laugh? Well then it’s funny. Will Farrell makes me fall out of the chair every time he appears on the screen, the perfect comic actor. For anything else, it would be Robert DeNiro, my favorite actor of all-time.

FilmMakers Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?

Patrick Bonner: The thing that has helped me the most is being open to criticism, and using it to take hard look at my work. Movies are written and created by experts, but they are watched by ordinary people who ultimately make the final decision about whether the movie is good. That’s why I find it very helpful to hand drafts of scenes to friends and family and ask for feedback. If a potential audience member doesn’t get it, you may need to re-write.

FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?

Patrick Bonner: I am currently working on two new screenplays, a crime thriller called Go in Peace, and a second comedy called Going Viral. I also hope to use my finish as a Runner-Up in the 2013 Filmmakers Screenplay contest to garner some interest in Returning Stanley.

FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from now?

Patrick Bonner: Successful husband and father. Successful screenwriter. In that order.