Zach Curtis asked Randall J. Funk:

Have you ever written something that you only later realized was inspired by an actual event or person?

Randall J. Funk Well, I've borrowed (sometimes shamelessly) from things that have happened to my friends and family, but I've usually done it with malice aforethought. I DID come across something that may have been inspired by a movie. Without spoiling anything, one of the plotlines in Death Lives Across The Hall is Joe's participation in the All-City Touch Football Tournament. His friend Mike is the key player on his team, not because he's skilled but because he plays so dirty, he intimidates the other team. I recently taped a podcast for a friend of mine in which we discuss "guilty pleasure" movies. Mine was Porky's Revenge. One of the plotlines in that movie revolves around the main characters needing their friend Meat to remain eligible for the basketball team's appearance in the state finals. Meat is the key player not because he's skilled, but because he plays so dirty, he intimidates the other team. When re-watching the movie, I thought, "Oh my God, is THAT where I got the Mike storyline from? Has that been buried in my subconscious for 30 years?" I guess I can't say for sure. I confirm nothing and deny everything.

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