As a screenwriter what do you start with? The opening scene? The final scene? A seemingly random, yet pivotal scene in the middle? A title?
It’s very different, depending on what kind of idea it is. And I must be honest, I am still quite new to this whole “script writing world”, and I have been under the wings of my director Kasper Juhl, who have taught me a lot, the last couple of years. - I really love it so far. But to answer the question: If it’s an idea for an abstract more arthouse-inspired script, it’s very random where I/we start. Then it’s just about getting the feelings down. Otherwise - if it’s a story where we wanna try to “follow the old fashion film rules” we first of all start with a long brainstorm, to figure out how the whole universe and the characters should be. And when we know how we wanna tell that story, and what feeling it should have, then we start to write a treatment from the beginning to the end - trying not to spend too much time on it, just to get the scenes down. Afterwards we finally start to write the dialogue and delete unnecessary scenes again, adding some new ones, and so on. But overall, it all starts with a feeling and a curiosity we want to express.
How do you collaborate as a screenwriter? Do you use certain methods?
We talk a lot, discussing all the ideas for the script. While writing we sit next to each other, speaking out loud what we are writing. Sometimes, when we find it difficult to write a scene, it can be helpful to walk away for a little while, and maybe one of us stays, trying to get something down. Otherwise, we might skip that one for the day, and move on to the next scene.
How particular is your dialogue? Is it the easiest or hardest part to write? Do you allow for improvisation?
Sometimes it’s the easiest and sometimes it’s the hardest. I feel it all depends on the mood for the day, what type of scene it is, and on what we know about the characters so far. And YES - we allow that. We both think that improvisation is gold. Especially if you have great actors on board on the project. It can help in putting on much more spice and shades to the scenes. And it can help in making the scenes more natural organic and real. You often get something more unique, because it gives the actor more freedom to explore the character.
What direction is most essential to you as an actor?
I think the most essential direction I personally can get, is when it’s kept simple. I love when directors know exactly what to say, in order to give me the feelings that they want me to express. The worst thing you can do to me is to lock me up with thousands of words, directing me on each sentence, and to “play the scene” for me yourself. Cause then I instinctively try to do as you do, and that is not good, because then I fall out of character and become a stiff mechanical robot, instead of being naturally present, inspired, and fluent. It literally kills my creativity. The best thing for me is, to have lots of meetings before the shooting day, so I know what you want, and you know, what I can give you. It gives much more freedom and space to be playful on set.
How important is the ending of a horror, or dark genre film?
For me the ending means almost everything. It totally breaks my heart if the whole movie seemed to be a masterpiece, and they just drop the ending on the floor.
What are your five fave films that deal with vengeance?
Carrie, Oldboy, The Last House On The Left (2009), Joker, Prisoners.
Sarah Roy, star and co-screenwriter of Zebra Girl