The Black List Interview: Van Billet
Today, we talk to screenwriter Van Billet about how the past, present, and future have shaped his life as a writer. Van’s script, SAVING PARADISE (fka PENCIL TOWN) was discovered via the Black List website in 2018 and arrives in a theater or VOD platform near you on September 3rd — cheers to you, Van!
The Past
What was the first film that had a major impact on your life?
Growing up in Philadelphia in the 1960s, there was a theater close to my home that showed classic older movies. Every Saturday, I would buy a ticket early in the morning, and sit in the theater until nightfall. That’s where I saw Frank Capra’s MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. I was mesmerized by those films. SAVING PARADISE paid homage to them.
Was there a single film that made you want to be a screenwriter? How else did the decision to pursue that career evolve?
Two Paul Newman films, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID adn COOL HAND LUKE were instrumental, but Barry Levinson’s film, DINER, convinced me that screenwriting was what I ultimately wanted to do. Whether I could do it (from skill and financial standpoints), was a completely different issue.
Most writers have to have “day jobs” in order to stay afloat. What was the strangest job you ever had before becoming a writer?
Screenwriting is my second career. After graduating from college and law school with significant educational loans, I had no viable path to earn a living as a screenwriter, so I “temporarily” began a career in high finance. Well, after getting married, having kids, taking out a mortgage, and getting used to a certain lifestyle, “temporarily” became years, and years became decades. But I never took my eye off the end game; reading many “how to” books and writing in my spare time.
With my kids out of the house, and the mortgage paid off, I shocked my wife, family, and co-workers when I pulled the plug on a successful career in private equity so I could follow my dream. There was no shortage of well-meaning people who told me that I had a better chance of getting hit by lightning than having a screenplay make it to the big screen.
The Present
How do you find ideas and how do you choose which ones to work on?
My years in the business world provided me with the idea for SAVING PARADISE, which is based on a true story about a nearly bankrupt family-owned pencil factory that is the heart and soul of a small town. The story centers around the employees who fight a David and Goliath battle against private equity, who want to move to plant to Asia. My next script, YALE, another true story, is about how my family was affected by my philandering deadbeat absentee grandfather, who was a bizarre, charismatic, charming, larger than life strip club comedian. I’ve been told that the role of Yale could be an award winning part for a seasoned actor in his mid 60s to mid 70s, like Ray Romano, Henry Winkler, or an actor of that ilk. YALE will go into production in early 2022.
Walk us through a normal day of writing for you. Any special habits to keep the muse happy?
I write my spec scripts from 5AM until about noon. For my scripts that are in pre-production, or the scripts that I am editing for others, I get notes from the directors and producers, and do that work starting in the late afternoon. Re-writing my own work or editing someone else’s is vastly different from spec writing. I try to separate them. Taking my mind off of writing, I get to spend time with my two grandchildren or play golf.
Which films are keeping you inspired at the moment?
Although there is so much great content in the market (and I watch a lot of it), old habits are hard to break. I gravitate to TCM. Those movies still inspire me.
If you could make one film, with no restrictions in place, what would that film be? I recently completed a spec script called CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. The story centers around an airplane that blows up on the tarmac at JFK airport. A veteran FBI agent with an ax to grind, is forced to team up with an inexperienced analyst to solve the case, but as the biased veteran hones in on a Muslim suspect, the analyst discovers evidence that may point in the direction of corporate corruption. It’s a timely thriller that takes many twists and turns. It’s not a big budget film, but it is “larger” than my other specs.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a writer?
I’d be playing golf seven days a week. But that’s not going to happen anytime soon. There are too many stories in my head waiting to be written.
Dinner with three of your favorite writers and/or filmmakers, dead or alive. Who’s coming to dinner? Who picks up the check?
Frank Capra, William Goldman, and Aaron Sorkin. I’d sit back, and just be a fly on the wall. I would pick up the check.
The Future
How did you first hear about The Black List?
From a friend who recommended that I post SAVING PARADISE (it was called PENCIL TOWN at the time.)
Since using The Black List, how has your career been impacted?
After I first posted PENCIL TOWN, it received several mediocre reviews, and each reviewer had their ideas for improvement. I went back to the drawing board, made some significant changes, re-posted, and lo and behold, the script hit the “8” mark. Before I knew it, I received numerous emails from directors and producers requesting meetings. I took many meetings, but the one that stood out was with director Jay Silverman and producer Bethany Cerrona. Bethany had read the script on The Black List, then passed it to Jay. During that meeting, it was clear that we all had the same vision for the film. Better yet, I was convinced that they were going to make the movie. And even better yet — they wanted to retain me to do the re-writes. Jay is a great filmmaker, and has become a close friend. It was a homerun all around — thanks to The Black List.
Any tips for writers interested in the site?
Be thick skinned. Most of the feedback you get will be negative. Listen to the feedback, and then go re-write. Be prepared to re-write many many times. Re-post the revised script, and then be prepared to do it all over again. Don’t ever give up!
Many thanks to Van! Don’t miss SAVING PARADISE on September 3rd!
