Chicago Screenplay Awards Questionnaire

Who are you and where are you from?

Josh Taylor, born and raised outside of Baltimore, but now a fifteen year resident of New York City.

Where and when did you come up with the idea for your screenplay?

Sitting by the Hudson River with my fiance, I was brought back to a memory of a trip to a fortuneteller when I got the idea for a story. I wrote a novella about a fortuneteller who tells a heartbroken young man one very good thing and one terrible thing that will happen in a short period of time.  I adapted the screenplay from the novella.

Can you take us through your screenwriting process?

My screenwriting process always starts with the story, in prose form. It could be a short story, novella, or a novel. But typically, I find that my novellas or longer short stories are best suited to be adapted to a screenplay. From there, I have all the details I need, then it’s a matter of visualizing the cinematic movement of the story.

What made you want to become a screenwriter?

I’ve always loved storytelling, but have also always been in love with movies since early childhood.

Who are your biggest filmmaking influences?

Spielberg, Tarantino, Scorsese.

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

Yes, LOST. 

What’s your favorite moment in cinema history?

The Normandy scene from Saving Private Ryan.

Who’s your favorite character in cinema history?

Forrest Gump.

If you could talk to anyone from any era, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Bob Dylan. I would probably just stutter and mumble. He’s an absolute legend.