Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gary Dover. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Gary, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

For the past 21 years, I have navigated the world of screenwriting—a journey that feels remarkably similar to the archetypal path described in Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey.

My entry into this field was entirely accidental. Years ago, while working as an environmental sales representative traveling across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico to sell laboratory fume hoods, I stumbled upon an article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. It noted that actor Red West had opened an acting studio in Bartlett. Thinking that the skills involved in sales—a profession that is, in many ways, an act—could use some polish,

I asked my employer if they would sponsor a workshop. To my surprise, they gave me the green light.
When I met with Red, he insisted I join the advanced class. Whether he saw potential in my sales background or was simply impressed by my enthusiasm, I’ll never know. What I do know is that I was a disaster as an actor. I lacked range, struggled to memorize lines, and possessed exactly one marketable skill: portraying a “redneck” sheriff. I shamed the craft.

However, during that time, I found myself captivated by the scripts we were reading. I began tinkering at home, drafting short scenes and eventually showing them to Red. He responded with genuine encouragement, urging me to pursue screenwriting. He never had to tell me I was a terrible actor—I could see it in his eyes.

To this day, I still have the VHS tapes Red made of our sessions. Every now and then, I pull them out to show friends and family as a gag; they universally agree that my performance was nothing short of legendary for all the wrong reasons.

Gary, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I dove headfirst into the world of screenwriting with raw ambition but zero roadmap. I immediately embedded myself in a local writers’ group, soaking up every critique and lesson. I practically moved into Barnes & Noble, camping out for hours on end to devour every foundational text I could find, determined to master the mechanics of the craft.
Eventually, I took the plunge on my first feature-length spec: CABINCONTROL. It was an adrenaline-fueled action thriller about drug runners tearing across Tennessee in souped-up Mustangs—picture Thunder Road colliding with Blow. I poured hundreds of hours into that manuscript, convinced I had a winner.

Like a greenhorn, I launched an aggressive campaign to get it into the hands of industry heavyweights. The result? Over fifty professional reads, and fifty soul-crushing rejection letters.

The hard truth was that my craft simply wasn’t at the level required to sell. But that’s where my background in professional sales became my secret weapon. Rejection didn’t derail me; it provided data. I treated every “no” as a masterclass, refining my voice, tightening my dialogue, and relentlessly leveling up until my writing could finally command the attention of the industry.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As a seasoned screenwriter and producer driven to transform raw, visceral Southern storytelling into high-stakes, cinematic experiences.

My mission is to bridge the gap between gritty, authentic human struggle and grand-scale entertainment, leveraging decades of professional grit to deliver stories that command both investor attention and global audience captivation.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

Many independent writers and producers view NFTs and blockchain as a way to bypass “traditional gatekeepers”. The goal is to move from a system where a few studio executives hold all the power to one where filmmakers can go directly to their audience for funding. For those struggling to get a green light in the traditional system, this offers a potential path to creative control.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Movingonfilms.com

Image Credits

Gary Dover