At an Industry Interview by Writers Boot Camp Founder Jeffrey Gordon (JG) with Michael Reilly, writer-producer of TILL — the feature film about the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year-old son, Emmett Till, who was brutally lynched in 1955 while visiting his cousins in Mississippi.

Among the most steady and most persistent Writers Boot Camp alumni–creatively and in business acumen–Michael Reilly focuses on screenwriting with an interest in social justice and anti-authoritarian issues. The story of his stewardship of the project is equal to the writing and artistic achievement.  Directed by Chinonye Chukwu, prior winner of the 2019 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, Michael produced his TILL script, co-written with Keith Beauchamp, along with producers Fred Zollo (QUIZ SHOW), Barbara Broccoli (007 franchise), and Whoopi Goldberg (GHOST, SISTER ACT). 

Here’s a key exchange excerpted from the interview:

JG: “Where does your drive come from?

MR: “The clarity of my motivation has been about stoicism. In my early years things felt finite to me. The people who impressed me the most are the people who suffered nobly. And in hindsight, I realize I followed that path.”

JG’s long-term relationship with Michael and his knowledge about his tenacity on the project through the years, led to further questions about process.

JG:  “In your additional role as producer, were did you maintain a writer’s perspective and make ongoing contributions to the script?”

MR: “So I read the script three times and provided notes. The last draft I read was two months before production….(As a writer) you just have to be infallible with your authority on the material.” But added, “All I have to say about form (in writing) is that it’s a launchpad and not an imprisoning force. So I feel like every story can be contorted and constrained into a structure where an audience will appropriately and accurately experience the information. If you’re not being understood, you don’t understand form. If you don’t understand form people aren’t going to give your great ideas credit.”

Finishing up on the thought, MR said: ““Since Writers Boot Camp, I still use every tool for every project. Period.” Comically adding: “And the one project I didn’t use the Tool Kit on— it felt like the shitty draft new writers ask me to read for them.”