Interview with Winning Screenwriter Devan Gavin (RAVE WAVE)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about?

Devan Gavin: Rave Wave is an animated action drama about a young man, TJ, resigned to a life he doesn’t want because, when you grow up as an orphan, you learn it’s better to go with the flow than fight the system, even if that system is wrong.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Sci-fi Action Drama

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

Look, we’ve all felt lost…alone…afraid – now more than ever, we’re afraid of what the future holds and what choice we have in it.  This show is about letting the world dictate your life or choosing to make a change, and choosing not to be alone – even if that means opening yourself up to pain.  For me, I grew up in a family that moved around a lot and gave me little freedom in how I lived and this project came from my own desire to inspire others to find their voice because I too had to make the choice to not just accept the hand I was dealt, but reach for more.

Much like Tj, my relationship with my family left me defeated by those close to me, clinging to what I was hated for, and isolated to everything but music.  I may not have his superpowers, but my life has given me a creative mind to see worlds where man evolves through technology, monsters can be heroes, and growing up finally gets a guidebook.  I’ve spent years dreaming of what other worlds would look like and how they could be built.  My hope is that this show connects with others who feel powerless to the struggles life throws at them and inspires the belief that, although our struggles may differ, we can ease the suffering and nurture our talents to build something better together.

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

Character-driven

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

Spirited Away

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

2 years

7. How many stories have you written?

12

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

“Mama Look at Me Now” by Galantis

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

In the process of writing this screenplay, I faced continued conflicts with my mental health as I maintained my demanding college schedule, only to graduate during a pandemic.  Nevertheless, I persisted in my goal to understand my characters, my message, and myself in order to bring out the most potential from my script.  I am still fighting my inner demons and growing as a writer, but facing these challenges with a strong sense of determination and creative thinking reminds me that no obstacle is too great to be overcome.

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

I have a passion for mental health that extends into a love for music and how media can assist in the development of a healthier and happier sense of self.  Many problems today arise from unhealthy social behaviors brought on by feelings of fear, sadness, and especially isolation.  By better understanding why people think the way they do and applying that knowledge to the media they take in, I believe it is possible to encourage a deeper understanding of each other to grow and advance as a united community.

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

The site has been easy to use and understand.  It feels very user friendly.

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

My influence to enter the festival was seeing a professional reaction to the piece and understanding the parts of the script that required adjustments.  I’m glad my character development translated well in terms of each character suffering from their own trauma that can be explored in future episodes.   The feedback is quite useful in adjusting descriptions, grammar, and visuals to more appropriately depict the themes I am attempting to voice.

Watch the Screenplay Reading:

TJ is a superhuman in the budding world of new technology, questionable morality, and an endless line of people dragging him into the role of a superhero to help fix their problems while, admittedly, improving his powers.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Allison Kampf
TJ: Geoff Mays
Lana: Kyana Teresa