Monday, August 29th, 5pm-6:15pm

Interview with David K. Kessler, Writer-Producer, MINAMATA

with Writers Boot Camp Founder Jeffrey Gordon

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Join Founder Jeffrey Gordon (JG) for a One-on-One interview with friend of Writers Boot Camp, David K. Kessler, writer and producer of the Hulu feature film MINAMATA.  The film stars Johnny Depp, whose company also produced.  While David is experienced in writing and performing comedy, his shift to drama was inspired by the book Minamata about journalist W. Eugene Smith’s photographic exploration of mercury poisoning victims in Japan.  David’s recent transition from comedy and stand-up has led him to specializing in writing screenplays based on true stories.

Inspired by the book, David set out on a two-year quest to obtain the rights and life rights–and then adapted a spec script in only six weeks.  When Johnny Depp was alerted to the script and read MINAMATA, he “immediately realized it was special”.  The movie also stars Bill Nighy, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Tadanobu Asano.  It premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020 and screened at the Barcelona Film Festival in 2021.  The movie is currently trending and viewable on Hulu.

David’s follow-up project, DREAMERS, is based on the book John Lennon Vs. The U.S. about John Lennon’s immigration battle with the Nixon Administration, credited with setting the stage for DACA/The Dream Act.  He is also rewriting ADIDAS V PUMA about the two brothers who owned the competing athletic shoe companies.

JG’s interview with David via zoom will include ample time for Q&A.  Initial questions will be screened in advance with alumni granted priority.

We ask our Basic Training writers and Professional Members to send questions to jg@writersbootcamp.com.  

You may forward this invite to friends, colleagues and fellow alumni who will be interested in this topic, especially writers and filmmakers who will benefit from Writers Boot Camp’s support.

If you RSVP and then find you cannot attend, please let us know.  While the event is free, the staff and speakers spend much time and effort.