Who are you and what do you write?
I am a screenwriter who has written a few sports movies including Hardball, Coach Carter and Real Steel. I have a movie coming out called Flight that stars Denzel Washington and is directed by Robert Zemeckis.
I also directed a movie I wrote called Dreamer, with Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell.
Where and when do you write?
I write in the mornings in a little office above a hair salon in West Hollywood. My building is also connected to a synagogue and a fish restaurant.
Before having kids I used to write at home from midnight to 4 am. I loved that — the phone doesn’t ring. LA is very quiet at night; everything closes pretty early. Now if I’m not writing by 10am, I probably won’t write that day.
What software do you use?
I use Final Draft.
What hardware do you use?
A MacBook Air.
What (if anything) would you change?
If I could change anything it would be my stamina for the chair. Meaning, I used to be able to get in two three-hour writing sessions a day. Now a solid two hours is a good day.
Do something everyday, I try to tell myself. Just something everyday. Even if it’s just reading what you’ve written.