The Interview

Avatar's own Daniel Ribot talks to local writer/director Mehul Desai.

It is not often that a Leicester scriptwriter is showered with accolades by Hollywood. This very thing, however, happened to North Evington film-maker, Mehul Desai, by dint of winning the 2009 Page International Screen-Writing Awards.

He scooped the top prize of $25,000, against competition from 4000 entries from 58 countries. A veritable scoop, particularly as Mehul's script, like much of his work, is in the SF genre. His script, Progeny, was described by judges as "terrifying and thought-provoking", reminiscent of the Stanley Kubrick classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. It has also sparked a lot of interest from Hollywood agents, something that bodes well for the future. 

At the moment he is busy with another SF project; a short film with the title Extermination. Mehul describes it as "a war film but it's nothing grand and epic, it's all set in a ditch where these two soldiers are hiding. It's very short, probably only 5 minutes, focusing on their differing views on life and the fate of man. What interests me about the project is the chance to create (at least on a small scale) a future war scenario like the flashback scenes in the original Terminator. Dark, gritty, frightening." He plans to submit this film to the DV Shorts competition for East Midlands Arts and to Blank Slate in London. Making room in his busy schedule to answer my questions, he talked about his Science Fiction influences, Hollywood, Leicester and the craft of script-writing.

Daniel Ribot -- When did you first become interested in Science Fiction as a genre? What was the first SF book/film/TV show that really sparked your interest?

Mehul Desai -- I’ve always been a sci-fi fan. Growing up, all the movies I used to watch were things like Ghostbusters, Back to The Future, Star Wars, etc. I really got into Star Wars in my early teens, which was in the mid 90s. I was a huge Star Wars geek and that inspired me to write. I even remember trying to write a Star Wars novel when I was 13; it was set the day after Return of The Jedi, although I later found out that it had already been done.

In my late teens I saw Titanic (don’t care what people say, it’s a masterpiece!) and that reintroduced me to James Cameron’s films and his films got me REALLY excited about screenwriting and filmmaking.

DR --When did you decide to become a writer (of all things!), and an SF writer at that? 

MD -- James Cameron was the biggest influence when I was around 15/16. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in film or something creative in the media. My parents were very supportive, they didn’t try to push me into another direction. I think they had concerns these last few years, with university becoming a distant memory. Was I ever going to get a real job? But I think I was probably more concerned. For all those post-uni years I was doing odd freelance video projects here and there but it was never enough to make a living off of. Fortunately I landed a steady job at the start of this year and have been pretty comfortable since. Now I probably need to reassess the direction I’m taking.

DR -- Have you ever worked in collaboration with other writers or do you write purely on your own? Which do you prefer?

MD -- I've never written in collaboration. I'm sure it works for some, but personally I'd find it difficult. Both writers would have to be 100% synched on story and characters. I do show my scripts to writer friends after I've completed the first draft. Fresh eyes always help, not just to spot typos but also scenes or sections of scenes that can be cut out.

DR -- How would you describe the style of your work? (i.e. do you tend towards comedy, horror, melodrama, social commentary, action etc).

MD -- I like writing about character journeys, think it might be the Joseph Campbell influence. Whether it's in a serious setting or a more light hearted one doesn't matter. Some of my scripts are quite bleak but they're still always about how a character got from A to B, what factors effects their decisions and perspectives. I love the hero's journey but also the villain's journey.

DR -- You have worked on a number of projects for the BBC and now seem to be casting your net farther afield to the US. In which country do you see yourself working in future?

MD -- I haven’t had any real involvement with the BBC. They’re close to impossible to break into unless you know the right people. The only association I’ve had with them was one of my short films being shown on the BBC Film Network. But I think they were forced to put it on there because they were sponsors of the event the film was being made under. Oddly enough, I got an email the other day saying they didn’t like the film and they’re taking it off the site (phrased much nicer though).

It’s still very early days in terms of what opportunities will be available from the US. It might not amount to anything, just have to wait and see. But if things go well I’m kind of forced to look to the US since they have the power to make the kinds of films I write and am genuinely interested in.

In the immediate future I’m staying put, though. I’ve just sent off my application for "Digital Shorts" in the East Midlands. The project, which I will hopefully also get to direct, is another science fiction piece, very different from what we usually get in terms of Brit shorts -- Extermination. Hopefully the fact I’ve won an award for a science fiction feature script will work in my favour.

Concept Artwork for Extermination. A Film by Mehul Desai. Artwork by David C Ayling

DR -- Are you at all apprehensive about having your work subjected to the Hollywood machine or about how your work will be reinterpreted or rewritten? How hard do you fight for your vision and when do you back down a little bit?

MD -- I’m not apprehensive about Hollywood at all. It’s a business, they need to make money. I’ll do my best to push the kind of film I want, but I’m not that experienced so I’ll have to go with the flow a little. But, to be honest, the people I’ve been talking to so far are very friendly and they “get” the stories I write. Their enthusiasm is really refreshing after the rejections I’ve got from UK production companies, producers, etc.

DR -- In a recent interview with the Leicester Mercury you mention that the hero of your award-winning script Progeny was based on the actor Morgan Freeman. Do you usually model your characters on real actors/people? Is there anyone that, in your wildest dreams, you would love to play one of your characters?

MD -- I said Morgan Freeman because he was the first actor to sprung to mind. I don’t write characters with actors in mind, maybe as an after thought but never while I’m writing.

That said, I did model a character in Progeny on Richard Dawkins, or at least how I see Richard Dawkins.

I’ve never had dream actors for any of the characters I write. I sometimes think a recognised face can be a distraction. I want the story to be the focus and the characters to be the characters, not such and such playing such and such character.

DR -- What are your greatest writing/movie heroes? Which of them would you most like to work with?

MD --James Cameron (obviously), but over the years I’ve had many more filmmakers that have inspired me: Oliver Stone, Terrence Malick, Kathryn Bigelow, M Night Shyamalan. 

Shyamalan was a great inspiration for me. The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable came out when I was in college doing my first videos. Before M Night Shyamalan, I didn’t know of any western-raised Indians who wrote and directed films that weren’t associated with Bollywood. Also he was doing genre stuff.

In terms of writing, Stephen King was one of my first favourites but lately it’s been a lot of Arthur C Clarke and Carl Sagan. There’s also Joseph Campbell who really helped shape my perspective on life and the world.

DR -- This September Leicester-based writer Graham Joyce scooped the Best Novel prize at the 2009 British Fantasy Awards and you have just won the Page International Screenwriting Award. Can you think of any reason why Leicester has suddenly become such a hotbed of SF talent?

MD -- I didn’t know about Graham Joyce, that’s brilliant stuff. Writing a novel takes a lot more time, focus and dedication than screenwriting.

I’m not sure why Leicester is having success in terms of science fiction and fantasy writers. These are genres of escape so maybe everyone wants to escape Leicester – I’m kidding!

DR -- Do you think growing up/living in Leicester feeds into what you write?

MD -- I don’t think it has much. I think it’s more to do with the people I’ve met, the places I’ve travelled, life experiences, books, movies, a whole lot of things. I’ve never written anything that’s specifically set in Leicester.

DR -- How will you be using the prize money; to help you further your writing career or blowing it on something cool and/or insane? 

MD -- I think I’ve become more responsible the older I get so I’ll just put it away for a rainy day. In all honesty, I’m too busy at the moment to think about spending it on anything. Perhaps if I need to go to LA next year it will be useful. Have to wait and see.

DR -- What advice would you give to someone who thinks they have a great idea for a movie script?

MD -- Write it. Don’t be one of those people who say “I have a great idea” and then do nothing with it. Just write it. If you can’t get enthused enough to write it then it’s not really a great idea. Be passionate about the story and characters and don’t write to try and impress others. I’ve made that mistake in the past and it’s made the whole writing process a horrible experience. 

You have to write something that you’ll be proud of. So much so that it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t get made.

There’s a saying I read once, write out of inspiration and not aspiration. Take that as you will.

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Avatar would like to thank Mehul for taking the time out from his busy schedule to talk to us and we wish him every success for the future. Also, many thanks to Mehul for kindly providing us with the concept artwork for Extermination.