Eve's Promise is a feature script, written by Brad Catherman. It is a bittersweet dramedy as three families face stress and joy as they move into each other’s houses
on Christmas Eve, upsizing or downsizing depending on their life circumstances, while
redefining the meaning of being home for the holidays.
The multiple stories keep the narrative in a humorous and lighthearted manner and the complementary and individual struggles are both compelling and entertaining. The story as in most holiday films carries a message of unity, family, and love. It is our pleasure to interview Brad Catherman.
What draws you to writing scripts?
Of all the creative outlets that I could have selected, I would say that screenwriting chose me. In
the category of writing, one might otherwise be drawn to poetry, novels, blogs, advertising copy,
or instruction manuals on how to assemble IKEA products. One might be good at one, several,
or none, but each is a very distinct discipline and endeavor. But screenwriting appealed most to
my imagination as the intersection of writing, visualization, fantasy, research, lived experience,
wanderlust, and mining the depths of my emotional core.
How and when did you start studying screenwriting?
In truth, I began “studying” screenwriting at about age four when my grandmother and mother
read countless books to me, and then urged me to go outside and use my imagination to create
new worlds of my own. (So, my learning about “storytelling” predates learning Final Draft!
LOL). My only “formal” screenwriting training consisted of purchasing the 1982 paperback
entitled Screenplay by Syd Field, the godfather of the craft. I was working in the marketing
department of HBO in 1982 where there was a daily immersion in all things entertainment, and I
was hooked. My later marketing work at Turner Broadcasting, while gratifying, only fueled my
desire to be on the creative side. I just completed my 19 th screenplay, and have won awards in 37
screenplay contests, having never been produced (yet), but I have had screenplays optioned. I’m
now 67 years old, but now after my 40 years of screenwriting, I’m as excited as ever to continue
the pursuit. A screenwriter never stops studying the craft. (I’ve read about 500 biographies,
autobiographies, and other books on film - - does that count?) My first script was written in
1983 on a manual typewriter… where does the time go?!
What makes screenwriting stand out to you in the language of cinema?
One aspect of screenwriting that never gets old for me is the start. Day one of writing. Staring at
a blank page with the cursor blinking, daring you to produce something worthwhile that could
eventually involve thousands of people to make the movie, and perhaps millions more people to
be educated, inspired, and entertained. (The word cursor comes from the Latin word “cursorem”
which means runner.) My imagination kicks in, and I’m off and running! Nothing happens in
the long chain of film creation until the screenplay is completed. What awesome
responsibility.
Do you ever plan to direct and produce or direct one of your scripts?
No. I have no motivation to create in those disciplines, or act, but I greatly admire the talent of
those who do, as well as the skill of hundreds of other craftspeople who make a film.
Tell us more about your latest script and the inspiration behind the writing of
your script.
My producer who has an Option on a rom-com of mine urged me to have a Christmas screenplay
in my portfolio. I’ve written rom-coms, murder mystery thrillers, dramas, Western period,
Viking period, Civil War period, sports, hybrids of those genres, and more. My submitted
screenplay “Eve’s Promise” is a bittersweet dramedy as three families face stress and joy as they
move into each other’s houses on Christmas Eve, upsizing or downsizing depending on their life
circumstances, while redefining the meaning of being home for the holidays. Coverage has
favorably compared the screenplay to Love Actually, and the script has already won awards in
three contests although it was just recently finished. Maybe this is a Christmas gift that will
become my first sale!
What were some of the challenges of writing your script and the research that went into
it?
I love research. Across my other screenplays, I have had to research many periods in history,
criminology, forensic meteorology, medicine, music, military training, the Mafia, and much,
much more. But for “Eve’s Promise’ which is a story of three families at opposite ends of the
age spectrum, I just had to use my own lived experience to create the story. The screenplay was
infused with my 67 years of living in the areas of defeating cancer, pregnancy, childbirth,
marriages, death, job loss, job promotion, parenting, buying and selling “money pit” houses,
corporate greed and its politics, eldercare, hope, despair, triumph, love, and all the meanings of
my Christmases in between. If a screenwriter lives long enough, there is a wealth of stored
emotion to share with the world.
What is your cinematic goal in life and what would you like to achieve as a writer?
Screenplay contest judges, industry analysts, and coverage services have favorably compared my scripts to Braveheart, Love Actually, You’ve Got Mail, Noah, Silence, Crazy Stupid Love, Maybe
He’s Just Not That Into You, Network, The Departed, and “the films of Nicholas Sparks.” My
goal would be to continue to write at this level, and continuously improve my craft. A new idea
for a film pops into my head almost weekly, so I’m certain I won’t run out of material. I’m just
looking for that first big break!
What kind of impact would your work have in the world and why do you think these
themes are important in your script?
I want my work to educate, inspire, and entertain. All forms of art seem to have these three universal themes. In the specific instance of my Christmas screenplay Eve’s Promise, all three themes are prevalent. Who doesn’t need a little more Christmas in their life?!