BPS 374: The Making Of Small Engine Repair with John Pollono

This week I brought on the show, playwright, screenwriter,
director, and actor, John Pollono.  I wanted to go down the
road a little bit about his remarkable journey in the business
which expands across theatre and short films. John is one of the
founders of the Jabberwocky Theatre Company in 2004 which became
the Rogue Machine Theatre in 2008 where he produced his earlier
plays. His big break came with his screenplay for the acclaimed
biographical drama film, Stronger which premiered at the 2017
Toronto International Film Festival.The screenplay, based on
Bauman's memoir Stronger, was number two on the Black List
(most-liked "motion picture screenplays not yet produced) in
2016.Stronger, starring multiple award-winning actors, Jake
Gyllenhaal, is the inspiring real-life story of Jeff Bauman --- an
ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to
become a symbol of hope after surviving but losing his legs in the
2013 Boston Marathon bombing and must adjust to his new life.This
project came along for John right after signing with Los Angelos -
based Creative Artists Agency. Producers, Alex Young and Todd
Lieberman were already familiar with Pollono’s work. And they were
on the hunt for something. That was when adapting Stronger became a
prospect.

At the time, the book was not yet published so he had a chance to
review the unpublished book. Producer Scott Silver was looking to
mentor a more junior writer for the Stronger film and fortuitously,
John was a good fit having grown up 20 minutes from where the
characters take place, he was the best candidate for the job. So,
with a follow-up pitch, the book’s film adaptation screenplay was
sold to Lionsgate.Writing Stronger (the film) was a double success
for Pollono. Not only was he mentored directly by the incredible
Scott Silver and receiving writing directions about theme,
structure, etc, but the project brought him some notoriety as well
by topping number two on the blacklist a year before
production. 

This interview was a pretty cool conversation and I did not hold
back getting John to share all the gems of the business he’s
learned and fun questions like what it’s like working with Frank
Darabont and working on the new Hulk Hogan movie currently in
production.

Enjoy my conversation with John Pollono.

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