Interview: Jim Stansberry and Annika Tuneld — Part 2
For the next week or so, I turn attention to screenwriters, TV writers, and filmmakers who are on the front edge of making their mark in the business. Their insights, so recently on the outside looking in, reflect the excitement of breaking in, yet the challenges of attempting to carve out a career. Today: The writing duo of Jim Stansberry and Annika Tuneld.
Screenwriter Jim Stansberry grew up and resides along the famous New Jersey shore. He began screenwriting in 2006 and won the NJ State Film Festival Best Screenplay award in 2007. In 2009 he finished as a Finalist in the prestigious Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Over the next few years, several of his feature screenplays went on into development with NYC and LA based production companies.
Annika Tuneld was raised in Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast and on an island in the archipelago. With an education in graphic design and archeology, she started a new career as a screenwriter in 2010. Her first screenplay was considered for development with a Hollywood production company. In 2012, she was a finalist with her second screenplay in the Sundance Table Read My Screenplay competition.
Recently I sent some questions to Jim and Annika about their unique challenges, not only as a writing team, but one separated by the Atlantic Ocean.
In Part 2, Annika and Jim share some details about the sale of their script “Wildflowers” and some of the interesting dynamics that exist in their writing relationship:
Scott: Could you describe the story development and writing process for ”Wildflowers”?
Jim: When we realized we had almost identical ideas for a story, we merged both concepts. We decided to write a very detailed treatment — together- to see how a collaboration worked and if our different styles meshed.
Annika’s minimalist, “less is more” approach captures character emotion and evokes reader empathy very effectively. She has a very analytical mind, coupled with an intensely creative side which I find very rare. It must be a Swedish thing.
Our finished treatment had the resulting tone and freshness from the blending of our styles that we were hoping for. We showed it around to our screenwriting friends for feedback and while they responded favorably to our story and style, most strongly advised us to lower the age of the two main characters to “under 35.”
We chose to stick to our guns and do one for the boomers!
Annika: We set up horrible deadlines and knocked off the first draft in 33 days. It may seem like a performance but actually the whole process was — I live in Sweden and Jim lives in the US. We have a six hour time difference. Jim works fulltime as a chef, I’m a single mother, and the whole screenplay was written over Skype.
In December we sent a rough second draft to the Sundance Table Read My Screenplay competition and we ended up as 2012 finalists. After letting the screenplay, and ourselves, rest for a while (and work on our second collaborative story) we started to seriously query WILDFLOWERS in early spring of 2013.
Scott: How long did it take for you from the point you came up with the idea to date of sale?
Jim: Just under two years. After our initial drafts, we wanted to let it sit awhile and work on our new project. We finished a rewrite at the start of the year and began our query campaign. We sent a cold query to a production company that unbeknownst to us, did similar research on the lack of baby boomer generation material and were searching for a project like WILDFLOWERS.
Annika: As Jim said, just under two years. I sometimes think we could have started to send it out earlier, but I believe that things happen for a reason, and now we have a great production company that are so easy to like and so easy to work with. In spite of us being a little bit slow with getting the script out, the timing turned out to be great.
Scott: Working with a writing partner is a unique situation, but yours is even more distinct because one of you lives in the United States and one of you in Europe. Could you share a bit about your actual writing process?
Jim: It can be tough tough at times due to the time zone difference. I wake up a few hours early and Annika stays up late.
We did the entire script over Skype, writing together in a real time collaborative screenplay document. While we chat on Skype, we monitor our progress and make edits to the same document simultaneously.
We both see what the other is typing, allowing us to agonize over every scene, dialogue and word together.
We call it “Transatlantic Screenwriting.”
Annika: The time difference forces us to set up monster sessions where we write/work for hours without a break. It’s sometimes very hard. I’m almost always tired when we begin our writing sessions, as we usually start out when it’s bedtime for me. When I’m about to give up I remind myself that I’m responsible for what my life (present and future) looks like, and that no one but me will make my dreams come true.
Scott: How have your lives changed since you set up “Wildflowers”?
Jim: I instantly became more energized and focused with my writing. We have an excellent rapport with our producers, the whole development/pre-production process is a great eye opening experience. My primary goal now is getting WILDFLOWERS from script to screen. Consequently, I get up even earlier and Annika stays up even later.
Annika: My life has been even busier. I’m trying to take advantage of this fantastic situation in every way I can, and I’m trying to get my name out there with the help of my website. I’m working on two solo projects, I’m finishing one script with Jim and we’re also in a rewriting/polishing phase with WILDFLOWERS. In between I sit down, close my eyes and think about how I actually, after less than three years of writing, managed to get Hollywood to unlock it’s heavy front door.
Scott: What’s up next for you?
Jim: I’m very excited to pick up where we left off on our other script. I also have two solo projects in various stages. Plus, we have some very original ideas for upcoming screenplays that are suited for our “transatlantic” writing style.
Annika: Working on my two solo projects and finishing the script I’m writing with Jim. That one is another great story that we have high hopes for — an action filled love-conquers-all political fairy tale.
Scott: What words of advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters?
Jim: Read, write and never give up. Success will happen when you least expect it — and at the exact right time. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Use the internet and all it’s resources, including your most valuable resource — your fellow screenwriter.
Annika: Never ever give up and force yourself to write even if you don’t have the time, the inspiration, or can’t keep your eyes open. It’s a war sometimes, but you have to throw yourself into it (with a smile on your face). Remember that talent has nothing to do with location and that stubbornness DOES pay off.
One last note Annika and Jim:
We’ve gotten this far without a manager, agent, or a relative in the industry and we don’t live in LA. This is a very fulfilling and exciting time for us and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
No agent. No manager. No connections. Separated by the Atlantic Ocean. And yet Jim and Annika have prevailed.
If their story doesn’t give you hope, I’m not sure what will.
For Part 1, go here.
Twitter: @jimstansberry, @annikatuneld