Juano Moscardo Rius
screenwriter to watch
Bio:
Juanjo Moscardó Rius was born in 1980 in Valencia, Spain. Following a degree in engineering, he becomes a screenwriter. He has worked in a number of tv shows for a spanish TV broadcast (RTVV). Now he is focused on the big screen. His first feature film,”Family games”, was released on 2016. “Paella today”, his second feature film, will be released this year. Now, he is producing his third script “Instant love” that will be released on 2018.
On the side, he has also been working as a script consultant and a script editor for a Spanish television broadcast company for the last six years.
Credits:
With love: – Paella Today (2017), Family Games (2016), First time (Web doc) (2012), Shakingcocks (short) (2010), Another Oportunity (Tv) (2009),
How did you break in or get your start in screenwriting?
Following my Msc in screenwriting, I was contacted by one of my teachers to work on a Spanish TV show and I got lots of experience from that. By then, I was made a finalist in the biggest screenwriting contest in Spain with my first script “Family Games” and some producers got to know it and showed interest. As a result, I had my first feature film released last year and, this year it will be released in august by HBO in the US.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
The three most important tips are: work, work and work harder. And to write is to rewrite.
What’s the hardest scene or project you’ve ever had to write? How did you navigate the challenge?
I had to rewrite family games when the director that had been hired decided to drop off just three months before the shooting. We had to rethink most of the scenes because we just got half of the budget. At the end, in one month I had to write a brand new script from scratches. And I managed the whole task with work, work and more work.
What was a major turning point in your career?
When I decided to start writing with other screenwriters and directors instead of doing it alone and then trying to sell my on spec scripts to production companies. I’ve learned so much from my co-writers or directors, and the scripts are better for sure.
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on three thriller and horror projects following my three comedy scripts.
On the one hand, we are about to close the deal with THE ROAD OF LIFE, a II world war spy thriller that made it through to the final in AFF. Thanks to the contest we´ve had many offers to choose from, something unusual. On the other hand, I have just finished writing a horror script with the director Ivan Sainz-Pardo, and we are going to start showing it to production companies.
Finally, I´ve started working as producer and I am currently producing two scripts of mine. One, “Instant Love”, will be shoot this year, and the other one “Vultures”, “Fargo” meets “Manhattan Mystery Murder” has received a State development aid.
What are some of your favorite movies?
El Verdugo (The Executioner), El Día De La Bestia (The Day Of The Best), Tesis, A Prophet, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, Fargo, Memento, Matrix, Willow, Celebration, Eat Drink Man Woman, Schindler’s List, Vertigo, El hijo de la novia, Wild Tales,..
Who are some of your favorite screenwriters?
Rafael Azcona, Jorge Guerricaechevarria, Quentin Tarantino, Charly Kauffman, Billy Wilder, M. Night Shyamalan, Juan José Campanella and Fernando Castets, Woody Allen, Thomas Bidegain and Jaques Audiard,…
Share a memorable experience at Austin Film Festival:
I was listening to Nancy Meyers in the AFF, and remembering all the great movies she had done, I thought she would be the perfect director for the American remake of FAMILY GAMES.
So I armed myself with courage and greeted her at the Driskill Hotel bar. I pitched my movie, and she absolutely loved it. Then we talked all night long about it and how the American version might be, which actors could play the main caracters…. Obviously, none of this happened because I did not even approach her: I am a screenwriter. I’m a shy. Yes, I missed my big opportunity, because she really was there, next to me… AFF gives you the chance to talk with very talented and accessible writers willing to share their experiences and the profession we all share. And one last thing: Nancy, please, watch the movie in August, on HBO, and call me…!! Remember: FAMILY GAMES!