Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christan Van Slyke. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Christan, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I have always had an affinity for filmmaking as a whole, since I was young. But more specifically, back in 2008, after working on a slew of indie films with some wonderfully talented crews in Seattle, and on the production team for The Details, LD Entertainment, I learned that writing was my home in the industry. I have written since I was a wee one- short stories, poems, songs, etc. (I believe my mom still has some of those in safe keeping) I just didn’t know what avenue I wanted to take with that creative gift at the time. I’m a very “by the book” and organized individual when it comes to my writing, so I opted to take some screenwriting classes, to really learn the art of the screenplay. In 2010, I earned my Master Screenwriting Certification through Gotham School for Writers. I think that if I had learned earlier on that writing was my specific interest in the film industry, I would’ve been able to get started even earlier with schooling and on set experience. Today, as a parent of VERY busy kiddos, I find the challenge is being able to focus on my writing when needed. So I have learned to be very self-disciplined in that area. I have certain times of the day that I write. I also never start writing a script until I have a completed outline or synopsis to write from. This helps me stay on track and utilize my time most efficiently.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a multi-international award winning, optioned screenwriter, based in Texas. I am represented by the wonderful Nuala Quinn-Barton and her companies Mania Entertainment and The Film Co-Operative for which she is the Development Executive Producer for some of my works in progress, like Lover Haters Club, my coming of age feature, set to include the talented Anna Stadler, Megan Reneau and Rachelle Henry, Curbside Service, my holiday dramedy feature the Cannes-SRFA Winner that was recently featured at Festival de Cannes in the Cannes Film Market Catalog 2023, set to star the lovely Laurine Price and include Megan Reneau.
I have been grinding and learning the ropes of the film industry since 2008. I got my start back in Seattle while living up there for a stint. I joined some fantastic indie productions to learn the ropes and try out a variety of positions. I then discovered that writing was truly what I wanted to spend my time focusing on and where I felt I would be of most benefit in the industry. I have had many scripts optioned, produced and have many in development and in production currently as well. I am quite accustomed to writing on paid assignment and under time crunches. If ever there is a need for a script, I have many completed ones available and can write quite quickly, please feel free to reach out to Nuala or myself. I am The Film Co-Operative’s go to writer. I have been blessed with receiving over 600 wins/accolades via film festival circuit for screenwriting on this journey so far, including some notable wins at Cannes-SRFA, New York Film Awards, Hollywood Gold Awards, Florence Film Awards, Austin Spotlight Film Festival and many others. I enjoy exploring all genres really, aside from horror/slasher type films. I would say my personal favorites or specialties to write would include romcom, dark comedy, fantasy and apocalyptic types though. I have been the staff screenwriter for 7 production companies and film/screenplay juror for Waco International Faith & Film Festival and International Cinema Center 2019-2021.
I have collaborated with some brilliantly talented individuals along the way as well as gained some irreplaceable friends. Some of my most notable collaborations over the years: I am the staff screenwriter for All Dog Entertainment, owned by Sandra Williams. She and I have been collaborating on many projects, including the hugely successful festival short, D After C that starred her and the talented Eric-Lee Olsen. We are also in development with our first feature film together titled, Reclaim & Rescued which is set to include the lovely Anna Stadler and the upcoming and talented Frankie Galvez. I am so thankful and excited to work with these fine individuals on this project about a small-town animal sanctuary that hangs in the balance when its beloved owner suddenly passes away. Another fantastic collaboration is with Wayne D Burdette Jr. with Moonless Media and DreamFrame Productions. We have written several features together, some of which are in pre-production and filming stages. He recently optioned my dark comedy, apocalyptic pilot episode for “End it on This” which is in pre-production stages. We are also now live with our crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for our faith-based feature, “Faith, Hope, & Grace” a hugely relatable story about the power of forgiveness. That is set to resume filming late August/September this year. Check out www.faithhopegrace.com for more info! “God’s Christmas Miracle” a fine holiday faith-based film, is in the works with Gary Wales at Nevis Studios as well! Truly blessed to work with such fine individuals. Good collaborations are key to any successful production in my opinion. Networking and collaborating, putting creative minds together, are essential in our industry. I have been so blessed with the opportunity to have collaborated with so many talented individuals. I am grateful to each of them for their encouragement, guidance and wisdom.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
My immediate answer to “what is most rewarding about being a creative” is the ability to create these limitless worlds to share with the audience. There are literally no bounds when it comes to writing. The ability to share a piece of myself (most of my writing is from my own life experiences) with the audience and join them on a journey of self-reflection, discovery, love, loss- whatever the film subject matter is pertaining to. What a blessing it is to be able to utilize this writing gift and have it turned into a visual medium for the world to enjoy. And to help the viewer through a situation, perhaps providing better understanding of it or to simply know they aren’t alone in what they are experiencing is most rewarding of all.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My personal goal is to create character driven, relatable stories that I can share with the viewers that in turn encourages or inspires them to utilize the message and apply it readily to their own lives. I intend to create relatable stories that leave a lasting mark, encourage a generation, inspire creativity and/or growth within each viewer. My goal is more than just creating a film for popularity or status. There is much more at stake in this life. These are important messages that need to be shared and absorbed. I hope to be useful and viewed as a light in an often times dark world. There are more important things going on in this life than likes and status. If my stories help lead someone through the dark tunnel to the light, through recovery, out of a depression, whatever the situation may be- then I would say I have been successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3578545/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christanvanslyke/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christan.vanslyke.1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christan-van-slyke/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ofchristansmind/status/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnKpzG9uWSFnPgavv78A2Qg
- Other: https://thefilmco-op.org/christan-van-slyke/