Interview with Screenwriter Chris Beadnell, THE TRENCH

Get to know the writer:

 1. What is your screenplay about?

A moment in time during the fierce WW1 Battle of the Somme. It focuses on a decision made by a young soldier. A decision that, if he was to survive the war, he may have later regretted.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Action, Thriller

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

This would make a very short but intensely powerful film. The final twist is sure to have the audience walking out with a dilemma of conscience and a sense of what might have been. Or what might NOT have been.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Mercy’s consequence

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

The Shawshank Redemption

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

It took about 2 weeks. About an hour to write and then some hard core editing

7. How many stories have you written?

About 15. Quite a few others in various stages of completion

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

Probably Born in the USA funnily enough (as I wasn’t)

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

Keeping the script to one page. My first draft was almost 3 pages long! As a learning exercise it was great to study the script in such an intimate way to know what had to stay and what could be discarded. It was not an easy process

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Sport and humanitarianism

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

Very positive experience with Film Freeway. Allows for easy submissions all under the one platform

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I love showcasing my work in festivals all around the world and The Trench has been widely well received. I was very happy about the feedback I received from the U5mFF. The dream of course is for this little script to be one day produced.

Genre: War, Drama

After successfully shelling the German trench on the Somme battlefield, the British soldiers move in to clear the area of any enemy survivors.

Cast List:

Eason: John Fray
Carter: Gary Graham
Narrator: Val Cole
German Soldier: James Dooley