Benito F Perez

What initially drew you to screenwriting, and what keeps you passionate about the craft?

My passion for screenwriting begins and ends with SPIRALMIND. I co-created SPIRALMIND and it is based on the critically acclaimed comic book series published by Markosia Entertainment in the UK.

Can you walk us through your creative process when developing a screenplay?

I begin by building a solid Three-Act Structure model. I then grab past stories & characters from the comic book series SPIRALMIND. I then introduce SPIRALMIND, the world he’s in, and the inciting incident that sets the story in motion. From there I follow the model to its conclusion.

Where do you find inspiration for your stories, and how do you decide which ideas to pursue?

When it comes to my stories, it all begins and ends with SPIRALMIND. We have multiple single issues, and graphic novels we use for inspiration.

What has been the most rewarding project you've worked on so far, and why?

SPIRALMIND.

Screenwriting can be a tough industry—how do you handle challenges and setbacks?

It is challenging, but what drives me to expect and handle those setbacks is a quote I fall back on from Andy Warhol, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide whether it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they’re deciding, make even more art.

In your experience, what makes a screenplay truly stand out to industry professionals?

That is an unknown to me, because if I could answer that, then SPIRALMIND would be in production now. The day it does happen, you can ask me then.

Are there any particular themes or messages you always strive to include in your work?

The central theme for SPIRALMIND is, as long as we live, we can rebuild shattered connections, confront a formidable foe, and make heart-wrenching choices for those we love.

How do you see the future of storytelling evolving, and what excites you most about it?

I see the production of storytelling using AI for quick and easy writing, but we still need the human creative spirit to take tool and make art. I’m excited to see what we all can come up with using AI as a tool.

What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters looking to break into the industry?

Refer to question number 5 – refer to the quote from Andy Warhol – just make art.

What's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you're excited about?

We have just completed our first SPIRALMIND graphic novel published by Markosia Entertainment based out of the UK. It is called SPIRALMIND: Pavane Mentis (we enclosed the cover) and we’re working our second. We also have multiple single issues we’re still completing for a compilation called SPIRALMIND: Carthusian War.