Interview: Eric Heisserer (2012, 2014 Black List)

This weekend, the horror movie Lights Out rolls out in movie theaters across North America. Starring Teresa Palmer and Maria Bello, directed by David F. Sandberg, the screenplay was written by Eric Heisserer. I thought it was a good opportunity to reprise a 2013 interview I did with Eric and reach out to him with some questions about Lights Out.

Here are links to the six installments of the entire interview:

Part 1: “I’m a bit of an autodidact, so I picked up Final Draft software and a couple of screenplays that I purchased through bookstores. I had an idea of what a script was supposed to look like, and I started writing.”

Part 2: “I’ve been keen to work new muscles as a screenwriter, and every year, I at least attempt to write a screenplay in a genre that I haven’t done before.”

Part 3: “What appealed to me is that it’s a polarizing issue. Therefore I feel like it’s something that is worthy of exploration.”

Part 4: “That’s my new mantra, my new mission is that whatever I write, I’m writing something that, in reading, the director knows exactly what kind of movie it is.”

Part 5: “When I’m writing a scene, and if I’m blocked, it’s typically because there’s nothing in the scene I’m excited about.”

Part 6: “Write as much as you can. Write any and all of those things…screenplays, short stories, novels. The more you understand the language in the world, the better.”

I sent one final question to Eric about the upcoming movie Arrival, starring Amy Adams, which is scheduled to debut in November 2016:

Scott: In our 2013 interview, you talked about working on the screenplay adaptation of the Ted Chiang short story “Story of Your Life”. Three years later, that has transformed itself into the movie “Arrival”, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whittaker, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The movie premieres November 11, 2016. I know you’re a big fan of Ted Chiang’s writing and especially this story. Looking back on this particular journey in your life as a writer, what lessons did you take away from your experiences?

Eric: Great question.

Always follow your passions. Even if the thing you want to write/adapt is not at all like anything else in the market. Even if you get the reaction that it’s “too sophisticated” or “too strange” or too anything. If you love it, write it. That love will be felt on the page, and those are the strange, sophisticated movies that make it all the way.

Eric is repped by UTA and Art/Work Entertainment.

Twitter: @HIGHzurrer.