Screenwriter Spotlight: George Covic

What’s your name? Where were you born? Where do you live? And what’s your hobby?

Name: George Covic. Born: Compton, Ca. Live: Portland, Oregon. Hobby: Photographing, flying two and four-line stunt kites.

Where did you come up with the concept that just placed as Finalist in the screenplay contest? How long did it take you to develop it into the screenplay it is now?

The idea came from an article that read. It took about a 6 moths off an on to develop.

From concept to finished draft, can you take us through your screenwriting process?

First, I develop an outline. Then add all my plot points. Write a rough first draft. Then set it aside and do re-writes until have it where I want it. Then get feedback and do another re-write until it feels as complete as possible.

When did you realize that you wanted to become a screenwriter?

I always enjoyed writing/telling stories. I do that a lot with my still photography. Love photo journalism.

Who are your biggest filmmaking/screenwriting influences? / What about their style do you like or borrow?

Biggest influences: Rod Serling, Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Milos Forman, Scott Frank, Aaron Sorkin, William Goldman, Eric Roth, Lawrence Kasdan, Steven Zaillian.

Have you ever been obsessed with a movie or TV show? If so, which one? Why?

Harold & Maude, Cool Hand Luke, Shawshank Redemption, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Jaws. All classic stories and film making. learn something new every time I watch them.

What’s your favorite moment in cinema history? Why?

There’s just too many to list.But, I do like the moment that we find out that Tim Robbin’s character was digging a hole in the wall of his cell in The Shawshank Redemption.

Who’s your favorite character in cinema history? Why?

I love Ruth Gordon’s character in Harold and Maude and Jack Nicholson’s character in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.If you could talk to anyone from any era, who would it be and what would you ask them? I would talk to Steven Spielberg and ask him what is his process from start to finish.