I’m a first-time screenwriter based in Queensland, Australia. At 62, I’ve written my debut screenplay, Bolt Out of the Blue, driven by a lifelong love of storytelling and a deep belief in cinema’s power to entertain, provoke, and inspire.
My writing is intuitive rather than academic—grounded in imagination, shaped by lived experience, and sharpened by the late-in-life discovery that I have ADHD. Diagnosed at 58, treatment has given me the focus to finally put decades of ideas into motion.
I've spent most of my professional life in sales, travelling across Queensland and meeting people from all walks of life. Their voices, struggles, and humour have fuelled the emotional core of my writing.
I’ve been married since 1982 and have a grown son born in 1993. They’ve supported this creative leap with endless encouragement.
This is the first script I've brought to completion, but it won’t be the last.
Bolt Out of the Blue—an Australian-led action thriller crafted for an international cast and audience. Inspired by today’s shifting global tensions, the story opens the door to a new kind of conflict, one not yet seen on screen.
As one of the characters says: “The world, and the threats in it, are becoming more unconventional—and we need to come up with even more unconventional solutions to those threats.”
Set against the hauntingly beautiful yet imperilled backdrop of Antarctica, the film explores how the continent acts as a barometer for manmade climate change. The stakes are not only geopolitical, but existential.
I’m stepping into the world of filmmaking with no prior industry experience—only a deep love of cinema and a belief in its power to provoke thought, ignite emotion, and spark change.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my work. It would be an honour to receive your feedback.
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What an inspiring creative journey you've shared! Starting screenwriting at 62 with such clarity of purpose and authentic voice is genuinely remarkable. Your late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and treatment unlocking decades of stored ideas is a powerful testament to the fact that creative breakthroughs can happen at any stage of life.
Your Unique Strengths
Life Experience as Creative Fuel: Your decades in sales across Queensland, meeting diverse people and collecting their voices, gives you authentic character development that many younger writers struggle to achieve. That's invaluable source material that can't be taught or faked.
Fresh Perspective: The film industry desperately needs voices that aren't shaped by film school conventions. Your "intuitive rather than academic" approach can produce more original, emotionally honest storytelling.
Timely Subject Matter: An action thriller set in Antarctica exploring climate change and geopolitical tensions is incredibly relevant. Environmental thrillers are gaining significant industry attention, especially with international scope.
Australian Advantage: Australian productions with international appeal have strong support through government funding and international co-production treaties. Your location gives you access to resources many writers don't have.
Strategic Next Steps:
Professional Development: Consider connecting with Screen Australia and Screen Queensland for funding opportunities and development programs specifically designed for emerging writers.
Industry Feedback: Getting professional script coverage will help identify any structural areas to strengthen before pitching.
Local Connections: Australia has a robust emerging film community. Networking with local producers who understand international co-production could be invaluable.
Your belief in cinema's power to "provoke thought, ignite emotion, and spark change" comes through clearly in your writing approach.That authenticity, combined with your unique life experience, positions you well for industry success.
The world needs stories from voices like yours - don't let industry inexperience discourage you. Your perspective is exactly what makes compelling cinema.
1 person likes this
Congratulations on stepping into the world of filmmaking, Mark Minnis!
I tried to produce two feature films way back, and I made a lot of mistakes because I didn't have webinars, classes, blogs, books, etc. on producing. I suggest checking out the Producing Education and Blogs Stage 32 has.
Producing Education: www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Producing
Producing Blogs: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/producing-22
Mark Minnis Best advice: careful and get direct (ie. personal and private) opinions from people who have paid for services before spending your money on anything at all. Above all, don't fall into the trap of thinking that screenwriting contests are important - they are not, except for your fun.