Joey Grossfield
screenwriter to watch
Bio:
Joey Grossfield and Andrew Reuland are long time friends and collaborators based in New York City. Their award-winning short Western, Lightning In The Hand (directed by Grossfield, written by Grossfield & Reuland) played in competition at the 2014 Austin Film Festival and went on to screen at over 40 festivals, winning 11 awards. Their feature Western script Apacheria (written by Reuland, story by Grossfield & Reuland) won the Enderby Entertainment Award at the 2017 Austin Film Festival, and participated in the No Borders (U.S. Features) section of IFP Film Week 2017.
Joey Grossfield is Co-Executive Producer of the acclaimed A&E crime show, “The First 48.” Andrew Reuland recently wrote for the television series “Ballmastrz 9009” on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. They are currently working on their second feature script together, a modern suspense film set in the world of American Quarter Horse Racing.
How did you break in?
I worked for several years as a documentary editor while writing and directing my own short films. Documentaries are essentially written in the edit room, and the struggle to craft non-fiction stories was an invaluable boot camp for understanding how the elements of motion picture storytelling work.
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
That working in film is like boxing. It’s not about who’s the toughest, or who throws the hardest punch, it’s about who can get up.
What has been your hardest scene to write?
Apacheria takes place on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in southern New Mexico in 1896. It’s not a time and place that many people are familiar with. Deciding how to enter that world and give the audience what they need to know, and not more than they need to know, was tricky.
What do you feel was your turning point?
Directing the short Western, Lightning In The Hand.
What are you working on right now?
We’re working on a suspense film set in the world of American Quarter Horse Racing, and seeking financing for Apacheria with Joey directing.
What are your favorite movies?
My Darling Clementine, Straight Time, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Tender Mercies, The Passenger, The Ox-Bow Incident, Sorcerer, Throne of Blood, Duck You Sucker!
Who are your favorite screenwriters?
Michael Cimino, John Milius, Taylor Sheridan, Michael Mann, Andrew Reuland.
What is your most Memorable AFF Moment?
Walter Hill telling me he’d keep an eye out for Apacheria.