It’s A Screenwriting Thing Presents: An Interview with Marshall Ferrin, screenwriter, film and TV
Bio: Mr.Ferrin is a highly qualified international business professional by virtue ofexperience working with Small and Medium Enterprises, US and foreignGovernments and trade associations in international management, marketing andsales in Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. Mr. Ferrindesigned and implemented the global market entry of the long-distancetelecommunications services and VOIP computer telephony software of twostart-up U.S. technology companies.
Mr. Ferrinprovided management and business development leadership for the MasonEnterprise Center’s international Business Accelerator, one of twomultinational incubators in the USA designed to assist both foreign companiesand USA firms forge successful business partnerships in the Americanmarketplace. Mr. Ferrin served in Afghanistan as the Senior InvestmentAdvisor/USAID, seconded to the Afghan Investment Support Agency,www.aisa.org.af Mr. Ferrin completed an assignment as Aid Coordinator, Officeof the Governor, State of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
He is nowworking with the Branson Entrepreneurship Centre, advising entrepreneurs inJamaica successfully starting and growing their businesses. https://bransoncentre.co/ Marshall is currently focused on writing scripts forthe film and TV markets and working with potential investors. Please go to www.marshallferrin.comfor info on his many award-winning screenplays.
Deliah Lawrence: What isthe core premise of your most recent script, and what inspired it?
MarshallFerrin: Current script, the six-episode series LAFAYETTE, is about oneman, two revolutions. What began as a battle for liberty became a vindictivequest for power.
DL: Whatgenre does your script fall into, and how does it stand out from similar filmsor TV shows?
MF: LAFAYETTEis a historical drama that is directly related to the current struggles forLiberty, Freedom and Human Rights. The story explores how the best intentions of and effort to effect positive political change can go terribly wrong.
DL: Canyou summarize the main character(s) and their journey?
MF: The maincharacter, Lafayette, achieves great success in the American Revolution butfaces unexpected challenges when he tries to transplant it to his home country,France.
DL: Arethere any screenwriters that have influenced your style?
MF: Thewriter of “The Patriot” and the AMC TV series “TURN Washington’s Spies.”
DL: Haveyou done any market research to see how your script aligns with currentindustry trends?
MF: Yes. Iresearched many historical drama series, e.g. “The Vikings,” “TURN Washington’sSpies,” “The Tudors,” “John Adams,” and “Franklin” that are available on AmazonPrime, HBO Max, and Netflix and found that, with the exception of “Franklin”there has been over five years since we have seen a new one. We are overdue. Also,a series that espouses a heroic story, albeit with tragic results is a good fitfor the shift in political culture that we are currently experiencing in theUSA.
DL: Whatsimilar successful films or shows would you compare your script to?
MF: Again,“TURN – Washington’s Spies” and “The Patriot” come to mind as well as the film“Braveheart.”
DL: Haveyou considered independent film festivals or streaming platforms as potentialdistribution channels?
MF: Yes.Lafayette – the Series has won Best Script in 8 screenwriting competitions andnominations in 7 other competitions.
DL: Whatadvice would you give to aspiring screenwriters?
MF: Write astory that is both familiar to the audience but also contains something verynew and interesting.
DL: If youwere hosting a dinner party which three screenwriters, past or present, wouldbe your dream guests and why?
MF: DavidMamet, James Cameron, DavidFranzoni and John Logan. All have had great success in getting theirhistorical/period dramas scripts made into films.
DL: Whatare three fun facts about yourself?
MF: I had abit part as a “Hanging Judge” in my Proof-of-Concept film, for my screenplay“The Royal Executioner.” I played the comic lead in Gilbert & Sullivan’splay “HMS Pinafore.” I invented a new cocktail, The Mulberry Juice Rum Punch whileserving at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
DL: It’s beena pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy gettingto know you and your work.
MF: Thankyou. Also, please note that readers that are interested in possibly investingin Lafayette, the Series and/or The Royal Executioner can obtain moreinformation by going to: https://www.gallopingentertainment.com/product/lafayette/ and https://www.gallopingentertainment.com/product/royal/
Lafayette Trailer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOXzhm2xeUReNZ9MaZkbMF03jn2jAeu3/view?usp=drive_web
The Royal Executioner:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iElThAI65DNwtpb6GW50_t7wc57KF7rv/view?usp=drive_web
