PAUL HIKARI
The Interview
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I think I found it on FilmFreeway amidst all the other contests I entered, and I figured, might as well. A year later, it popped up again in an email, so I thought I might as well enter it again. Suffice to say, I didn’t expect my script to get such glowing feedback this time around. Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Los Angeles county, California, USA Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting? Back when I was in college, I started writing the story for King of Blades as an online short story loosely based on the TV show, “Deadliest Warrior”. I was studying Film and Video Studies at the time, so at some point, I figured I could do more with that story. From there, it evolved into the story it is now, although I gotta say, looking back, I suppose it was a way to remind myself that you can only go so far on your own in life and you don’t have to hide your pain from others. I’ve always found myself to be most comfortable writing screenplays instead of novels or short stories. It’s more free form and to the point that way. My journey into screenwriting is pretty much the same as my journey into voice acting: taking something that others might see as worthless and making something worthwhile out of it, and ultimately making people happy with the result. 
If you have produced a Pitch Deck, Sizzle Reel, or Trailer, what was that process like for you? Did you have professional help, or has it been a DIY task? How long did it take to produce?
I drafted my pitch deck and then went to a professional to produce and finalize it. I think the process took about two months. CLICK HERE TO SEE "KING OF BLADES" PITCH DECK How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? I believe that every creator has a certain word that describes a unifying theme to his or her work. For example, James Cameron’s word would be love; Steven Spielberg, innocence; Quentin Tarantino, vengeance; Christopher Nolan, ambiguity; Hayao Miyazaki, harmony; Katherine Bigelow, pain; and George Lucas, loss. Mine is unity. I find myself telling stories where, while there may be one or two central narratives and there may be a main character, in the end, that character’s achievements are a combination of their own efforts and the help received from others, not just one or the other. And everybody involved has their chance to pitch in. In a way, it’s basically me telling myself over and over again that I can’t do everything on my own, even though I often feel like I have to do so. I need help just as others may need it. What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? I don’t really have a writing routine so much as I have a writing vigil. Ideas just come to me, and I typically write them down or take pictures to capture them. Then, I plant them into my work in progress and try to figure out where they go and how to make them grow and fit in. I often abandon works that I think aren’t getting anywhere only to use ideas from them to further advance the works I do stick with. Often, I have outlines of works that I think I’ll finish, but more often than not, I end up deviating from these outlines over details. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? At this point, I’d say about 10 years. It took time, effort, and lots of notebook pages, feedback, rewrites, and contest entries…and yes, I did have an initial outline, but I deviated from it, adding and throwing out details and plot threads as needed. Even now, I think of certain things I could change to make it better. How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? I try to work on something else, like voice acting or just writing or drawing random thoughts. Failing that, I just stop working and occupy myself with other things. Music, long walks, picking up trash, cooking, whatever comes to mind. What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? Anything that lets you write and format scripts is a must. I personally still use the free version of CeltX despite its obsolescence. I also need something to capture any ideas that come my way, be it a notebook and pen or a phone. Sometimes, I listen to music or audiobooks while writing. 
How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? Which contests have you entered...and how has your work been received overall? Have those contests been helpful to you in your writing?
I used to just enter contests willy nilly, hoping to get noticed. Now, I’m a lot pickier over which ones I enter, looking more carefully for feedback and contest legitimacy. “King of Blades” has overall been well received, more so with each draft I submit. In fact, it’s even won quite a few, including the aptly named Screenplay Festival in 2023. Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? To date, I’ve struggled to market my screenplay to anybody out there beyond screenplay competitions. That’s when I managed to come across this screening room via email. After a moment’s hesitation, I figured, what have I got to lose? So, I joined. Another challenge I’ve faced was deciding whether or not to change software, and if so, to what. Then, I realized, wait a minute. I’m doing just fine right now, so I don’t need to worry about that just yet. And so, I’ve stuck with CeltX. If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”...how are you managing that? As a voice actor–which I do consistently enough to call it a day job–I prioritize that work first, then write whenever I have time and energy to do so. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? Seeing “King of Blades” released as an animated movie and finalizing my next project or two while making a substantial living as both a screenwriter and voice actor.
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
The same thing as my ultimate ambition as a voice actor: involvement in something that wins an Oscar for Best Picture. The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Have you used A.I. in your writing; if so, how have you used it? Until AI becomes sentient, it’s not going to replace human artists in any meaningful capacity, and any and all attempts to do so will only be met with failure. What it can do is aid the creative process. Giving ideas, suggesting edits, making enhancements, making placeholders, etc. I’ve used AI to try to write dialogue for several projects that I’ve since abandoned. Suffice to say, I wasn’t happy with the results. Now, I’ve limited AI use to just helping me get ideas for my next project. Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? Peter Jackson: The majestic spectacle, memorable characters, keen attention to detail, and epic action of his Lord of the Rings trilogy are a feast for the senses for sure. Hayao Miyazaki: His overarching theme of harmony and the emotional connections between characters–even between heroes and villains–really drive home the value of life and how we are to live as a species, to say nothing of his stellar animation. Quentin Tarantino: That he’s able to utilize multiple perspectives in his movies as well as he does is just one more reason to love them. This, combined with his witty dialogue writing makes them feel that much more real. Mel Brooks: I’m a sucker for 4th wall humor, surreal humor, and snappy dialogue, and Mel Brooks has it all in spades throughout his movies. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? The Lord of the Rings trilogy What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters or filmmakers? You will mess up along your journey. A lot. I know I certainly have, so hey, you’re not alone. What matters is what you do after that. Do you give up? Do you lash out? Or do you take the time to reflect on what you did wrong, how you can do better next time, and then act on that? If you picked the third option, congratulations. You’re that much further along, and as long as you keep improving, you’ll keep moving. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) I’m the main male voice actor in many manga dub channels on YouTube, my favorite of which being “Etra-Chan Saw It!”, a variety dub channel featuring a cast of characters re-enacting crazy scenarios from romance to revenge to Looney Tunes-esque comedy. ● https://www.youtube.com/@etrachansawit6932 I also play the English voice of a detective who finds himself stranded on a deserted island in Italy in an indie horror game called "Poveglia: The Island of No Return," now in early access and soon to be released in full: Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) ● https://www.paulhikari.com/ ● https://filmfreeway.com/PaulIm ● https://bsky.app/profile/paulhikari.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT01YZBdIYaJRhz4Na2bivg 
|
