What’s your name? Where were you born? Where do you live? And what’s your hobby?

Eb Lottimer. I was born in Bon Air Virginia. Currently living in Santa Fe New Mexico. I have been playing guitar and singing for the last 50 years, so I guess you could call that a hobby.

Where did you come up with the concept that just placed you as a Finalist in the screenplay contest? How long did it take you to develop it into the screenplay it is now?

Lucky Man is based on a true story about my younger years in music and the influences I had on my music at an early age. 5o years to live it, 8 weeks to write it.

From concept to finished draft, can you take us through your screenwriting process?

This script outline was unique in its structure due that it was about my life. So I intrinsically knew the story. I would write 10 to 16 hours a day until I had a first screenplay structure and then went through maybe 10 rewrites. Also, I had taken Robert McKee’s screenwriting course in Los Angeles in the ’80s and was very familiar with structure and themes, and the 3 act structure. I stuck pretty closely to McKee’s principles of storytelling. Then I have three people I trust to read my final draft, get notes, and do a polish. It has worked for me for the past 50 years of storytelling.

When did you realize that you wanted to become a screenwriter?

I began with music at age 9. I would write a song and play it on my guitar. My songs were stories that inspired me to then write poetry and eventually move into screenwriting.

Who are your biggest filmmaking/screenwriting influences? What about their style do you like or borrow?  

John Cassavetes, 1929-1989, Ingmar Bergman, 1918-2007, Taylor Sheridan, contemporary, William Goldman, 1950’s. I like writer/directors that dive into the emotional dynamics of us humans as we navigate through our many choices to react to our given circumstances.

Have you ever been obsessed with a movie or TV show? If so, which one? Why?

Vikings, Yellowstone, Osark, City on the Hill, too many to list. Features; Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans, Hostiles, Once, many more. I am fascinated with the human condition and what it takes for character development to overcome his/her limitations, which pushes the obsessed button in me. I will follow that character with all their flaws and ugliness for 3 seasons to watch them find, grabble and overcome their weakness.

What’s your favorite moment in cinema history? Why?

Could no more whittle down my favorite moment in cinema history than compete with Jeff Bezos’s savings account.  

Who’s your favorite character in cinema history

Jeremiah Johnson –  – in Jerimish Johnson or Maximus in Gladiator.

Why?

The absolute heroes’ journey.

If you could talk to anyone from any era, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Neil Armstrong – – Describe from the moment you opened Appolo 11’s door to stepping onto the moon and walking on its surface and what you felt.