BEYOND THE ONIROS FILM AWARDS®
Interview with Dennis Manning, writer of the award winning script ‘The Substitute Wife’
by OFA Team
1. Welcome back, Dennis! “The Substitute Wife” has been recently named a Winner in the category Best Original Script at the Oniros Film Awards. Could you tell us more about this project?
Thank you. Let’s go to HOLLYWOOD, 1953. Writers, producers, lawyers big estates, high hopes and the desire of one woman to take the place of a society socialite. A Film Noir classic. There’s thunder, rain, the butler, windy roads on a mountain side, and more!
2. Tell us a bit about your background. When did you start writing your own scripts?
I have been writing songs for nearly 50 years. I completed my 3rd musical as a collaborative effort this year, writing the music and lyrics. 3 years ago, I started writing scripts: “More Going Down”, “The Shaft”, “Undertow”, and now “The Substitute Wife.” My undergrad degree is in English and Marketing and I have my Masters in Training.
3. Where did you get inspiration for creating the story for “The Substitute Wife”?
After writing the screenplay for “The Shaft” I found I was still in a Film Noir frame of mind. I was backstage at the rehearsal of the new musical with the cast and one of the actors said of her boyfriend, “he has me and he has someone else on the side when I am not around. It is like she is trying to take my place.” And “The Substitute Wife” idea started flowing onto the page.
Dennis Manning and the official poster of ‘The Substitute Wife’ – www.danforthmusic.org/
4. What did you enjoy the most about writing this script? What did you find more challenging?
What I enjoyed the most about writing the script was the ending. I didn’t plan on where it went when I started. (I don’t want to give that surprise away) and, it became a Chekovian event for me, coming full circle as the script is set in Hollywood. I also liked fleshing out the supporting characters, of Caroline and Thiago. They quickly gained depth and added interesting color to the Film Noir setting. Challenging for me was not to reveal too much of the plot, too soon and balance that with keeping the audience waiting for the next big reveal.
5. Do you think there could be a sequel to this script?
Never “say never” and currently all the plot lines have been resolved. Perhaps a sequel would be “Claire’s Revenge.”
6. If you had the chance to turn your script into a movie, who would you like to cast?
EMMA STONE would be an excellent “Claire.” JAKE GYLLENHAAL would be perfect as “Bryce.” EMILY BLUNT as the writer and wife “Loraine.”
7. What is the message that “The Substitute Wife” conveys?
The story explores themes of ambition, greed, deception, and morality. It sends a message about karma and not taking shortcuts
8. What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?
I wrote a song last month while at rehearsal called, “The Woman On The Bench.” The lyrics, “What is she thinking about when she’s thinking? Looking somewhere far away from where she is now. She looks like a window in a house that longs to be opened….” The plot: A woman waits on a bench for a bus that will never come, her life intertwining with the secrets and stories of the townspeople around her, revealing the shadows that lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly quiet town. I am 50 pages into the script, so stay tuned!
