Mike is one of those guys that you like right away. You can’t help it. He just grows on you. It could be that smile or can do attitude, but I believe it’s his sincerity. You see, Mike wants to see others be successful as he himself is becoming. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s creatively gone to some exciting places and taken on more than a few serious challenges which he’s overcome. Challenges which most people would give up on. He has proven that he is truly cut out for this career. I’d like to introduce you to him. This is Mike Rogers…
Mini-Bio:
I grew up and now live in Newport, Rhode Island. Although I’ve resided all over from New Mexico, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Colorado, to California. For some reason, I always find my way back to Newport.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid but not that long ago I decided to apply my full attention to screenwriting as a way to pass on my stories. Lately, I’ve had some really cool successes such as a Produced Short Screenplay for the 100hr Film Festival, I co-wrote a Short Screenplay currently in production in Toronto, and even had the chance to adapt a Novel to Screenplay which is currently being shopped by Galactic Pig Productions. I’m very excited where this path has taken me and can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Q: How did you stumble upon screenwriting?
I was an actor in High School and fell in love with the deceptive art of screenwriting. Back then, however, I had no idea how to approach the subject. But still loved it.
Q: Who/what inspired you into taking this path?
Like countless other self-starters out there, what got me off my butt and into a chair writing was the poor quality in television and movies available. Especially on Netflix. I thought I could do better and if I didn’t try, I would be completely unfulfilled.
Q: Who was the first person who believed in you?
When I was, gosh, no older than twelve, I wrote a story, inspired by The Hobbit, which started, “Thousands lay dead but before this bloody day would come to an end, thousands more were yet to die.”
My Dad loved it. Anytime we spoke about my writing he would repeat that line. I would have long forgotten it if he hadn’t remembered it since I was a kid.
Q: What was the moment you knew you wanted to be a screenwriter?
I honestly don’t know when I specifically decided it had to be screenplays, but it feels like it is something I have been waiting to do all my life but just didn’t have the patience or confidence to share my stories.
Q: How do you define success for yourself?
I try to produce a lot of material. So, if I see constant output I am happy. I use contests and producer contacts as success defining the path I am on.
Q: Give us a typical day in your life:
Are you an Early Bird or a Night Owl?
Early Bird (but up until 1:00am usually)
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Make the bed.
What do you do in the morning?
Mostly writing. If I get a good start by 9:00 I am writing through to 12:00.
What’s for lunch?
I drink a lot of coffee, eat a lot of banana and eat a big dinner.(I know!)
Do you have a pre-bed ritual?
I really don’t. Make sure the house stays up while I sleep and go to bed.
How do define a successful day?
Making important contacts on Facebook, a request from a Producer, or a Selection in a contest. I am not a page count person.
Q: What’s been the most important skill you've developed on your path to screenwriting?
To be concise. You aren’t allowed to be flowery, so you must use the language to create intriguing action and description in two sentences.
Q: What’s been the greatest challenge in your writing so far?
I have dyslexia. I actually went to a boarding school in Connecticut for kids with learning disabilities from 7th through 9th grade. I have never treated it as a disability and usually don’t even bring it up, but it makes it very difficult to remember grammar and the spelling of some words.
Q: What’s been the greatest reward in the choices you've made?
It is what I am supposed to do. I no longer feel like I have to chase a 9 to 5 career. I still have a day job, but that is all it is. It pays the rent while I write. For me, that was extremely freeing.
Q: What do you want to learn from a community of your peers?
How people are succeeding. Not specifically, but what they feel they are doing correctly to garner attention. A good supportive site where people feel they can share their ideas and opinions.