28 - Mark Bomback (Defending Jacob)

Writer and producer Mark Bomback (Live Free or Die Hard,
Wolverine, War for the Planet of the Apes) joins host Jenny
Curtis with special co-host Dana Gourrier for a Hollywood
Unscripted ‘Stuck at Home Special’ to discuss his illustrious
career as a screenwriter and his first time as a showrunner with
Apple TV plus series Defending Jacob.


Jenny, Dana and Mark discuss how being at home during quarantine
has affected and influenced them as artists. (1:00) Mark shares
his experiences in Westchester, NY – as it was a Coronavirus
epicenter – and how life is becoming ‘the new normal’. (3:15)
They share experiences on how you have to include these new
experiences and current events when shows go back into production
and how you tackle these new challenges to stay relevant.


They move on to discuss Mark’s newest endeavor: being showrunner
for Defending Jacob (4:37). Mark shares what brought him to the
project, how ‘It’s not the kind of movie we make anymore - it’s
more in the train of television.’  And how reading the book
drew him in and made him want to work on it. (6:13) Mark expands
on this sharing how he develops a screenplay from a book, and how
he makes the changes and how when you retell the story in the
most cinematic way possible , it sometimes results in changes to
really experience the story and characters.


Dana asks Mark who his biggest influences are (9:36) and Mark
explains why he’s been influenced by these people and what he
believe the role of the writer is.


Mark explains his experiences and change when you become the
showrunner (from the writer) writer and the challenge of being
both roles at the same time. From casting to crew, you’re
involved in every decision(13:20), the evolution of the show from
the beginning of being hired to creating the cast, including how
Chris Evans became part of the project (15:55).


The conversation goes back to Defending Jacob (20:00) as the
hosts ask Mark if he believes - Jacob did it?


Mark shares his experiences of how he started in the film world
(25:00), including his first job and how his perseverance and
determination – along with taking a few free jobs, and making the
right connections – kept him working and his experiences working
on a multitude of projects helped him truly develop his skills.
He explains that on Live Free or Die Hard it helped develop
relationships for a long-lasting career.


Jenny asks mark about part of his job as a writer – doing
rewrites (34:47) - and what it’s like not being recognized for a
lot of his work. Mark answers with what he loves about those jobs
and the most important job of the screenwriter - how you make
everyone happy, the joy in rewriting versus your own ideas
(39:33), and the privilege of objectivity.


Before ending, they discuss a shared connection between host Dana
and Mark (43:00), having both worked The United States vs Billie
Holiday. Mark explains how he evolved to Executive Producer role
on this film and bringing on Suzan-Lori Parks.


They wrap the show with Mark sharing his favorite memories from
the production of Defending Jacob (47:03).


Executive Producer: Stuart Halperin


Producer: Jenny Curtis


Music By: Celleste & Eric Dick


Learn More: Hollywood Unscripted


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Produced and Hosted by: Jenny Curtis


Co-Hosted by: Dana Gourrier


Executive Producer: Stuart Halperin


Theme Music by: Celleste & Eric Dick


A CurtCo Media Production 


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