[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: For your new book Ashland, the idea started with the world, but you say you usually don’t start that way.
You usually start with plot?
Matt Harry, Author/Screenwriter/Instructor at New York Film Academy: I’m a very plot heavy writer.
I love the intricate plots.
I love thinking things out through plot.
I tend to start all my ideas with a concept, a scenario.
The idea for Ashland came about is very obvious to anyone who reads the description.
It’s a dystopian detective novel.
It was inspired by the COVID pandemic.
We were 2 weeks into it.
I was walking with my family through the streets of Burbank [California].
It was totally empty.
I had to figure out what story would do I want to tell in that world?
It was like 7 o’clock at night, totally empty.
I was thinking in my writer brain, how could this be worse, [laughter] you know?
And I was like, well, at least we can go outside, you know?
We have to wear masks and stuff, but at least we can still go outside.
If we couldn’t go outside again, that would be terrible.
And I was like, What if we couldn’t go outside again?
So that question immediately was like Why wouldn’t we be able to go outside again?
So I started with this whole concept of what this world would be and then I had to figure out what story would do I want to tell in that world?
In the world of Ashland, because it took me a while to even figure out, what is the thing that’s keeping people trapped inside.
Is it a virus?
Is it like an alien organism?
Is it something else?
Then I saw this video about these things called xenobots, which are programmable cells that can self-replicate…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Matt Harry has been writing since he was 10 years old. He learned to make movies at the University of Southern California, which was the closest he could get to attending Hogwarts in the real world. He has worked as an editor, screenwriter, director, producer, college professor, and pizza delivery technician. Matt has published six novels, written two immersive plays, and sold a TV pilot. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons, all of whom (thankfully) like to read.
BUY THE BOOK – YOU ARE A FILMMAKER: An Interactive Novel https://amzn.to/4wZO9Wt
MORE VIDEOS WITH MATT HARRY
About New York Film Academy:
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA’s global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
Nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
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