Interview with Screenwriter Nick Perlman (A PORTRAIT)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Nick Perlman: A Portrait is about, Ian, a reclusive artist working at a plant nursery who struggles to find inspiration and Joseph who is a drifter searching for his estranged mother. When Joseph shows up at Ian’s door, both of their lives are irrevocably changed.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Romance, Drama, Queer Cinema

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

We need more films featuring queer characters whose stories don’t solely revolve around their queerness, and who don’t fall into stereotyped tropes. With this film, I hope to do just that: tell a universal story about finding love and acceptance from a queer perspective without having the entire story hinge on their queerness while illustrating their three-dimensionality.

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

“You matter.”

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

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

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

The initial pass was about a month long process but subsequent rewrites and fine-tuning have taken about a year.

7. How many stories have you written?

This is my third complete feature, but I’ve written and am writing numerous others which are at various stages of development.

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

This is an enormously difficult question. So I’ll tell you what I’ve been listening to while writing this story: All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun – Elizabeth Fraser and Jeff Buckley, Moon River – Frank Ocean, The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – The Walker Brothers, and The Exhibition – Kaki King

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

For me, it’s been knowing when to stop! Recieving feedback has allowed the story to grow in so many ways but the further in I get the less changes are needed – which should be a signal that it’s nearing completion. At this point I keep looking for things to “fix” but have to acknowledge that at this point, the story is what what it is and ask myself the important question of: “Did I succeed in my intent?” and “Is this the story?”

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

I’ve played music since a young age, but much more relavantly, like the character of Ian, I also paint and draw, myself. It’s a world I’m very intimately familiar with.

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

It’s been great! Easy to submit, make changes, and communicate with festivals!

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

I was absolutely touched by the initial feedback. The reader seemed to have a very personal connection with the material which is why I do what I do! 

Watch the Screenplay Reading: 

Ian is a reclusive artist working at a plant nursery and struggling to find inspiration. Joseph is a drifter searching for his estranged mother. When Joseph shows up at Ian’s door, both of their lives are irrevocably changed.

CAST LIST:

Joseph: Neil Bennett
Narrator: Shawn Devlin
Elizabeth: Carina Cojeen
Ian: Colin Sandquist

Submit via FilmFreeway: