In the Writer's Chair with Dead Already's Dwayne Alexander Smith
by Shannon Fay
Lyon is a cocky New York cop who has to deal with a creepy voodoo curse and a shrink who doesn't believe him in Dead Already. Writer Dwayne Alexander Smith takes us behind the scenes, from the dark streets of New York City to his current home in sunny California.
First of all, thanks for doing this interview. Could you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be writing Dead Already for Seven Seas?
Dwayne Alexander Smith: I'm a screenwriter living in Venice Beach. I moved here from New York City to pursue a career in screenwriting. In the past five years I have worked on projects for numerous studios. Currently I am writing the remake of Scanners for Lionsgate.
Dead Already was a screenplay I wrote when I was still back in NYC. In fact it was that screenplay that broke me into writing professionally. What I mean is, because of Dead Already Lawrence Mattis of Circle of Confusion agreed to become my manager.
I am working on other projects with Jason at Seven Seas. He asked me if I had any screenplays that I thought would make a good manga. Dead Already involves action and witchcraft and some very cool characters. I thought Jason would dig it and he did.
The rest is history.
What kind of changes did you make to the script of Dead Already to adapt it from a film script to a script for a manga series?
DS: Besides submitting the script, the only input I've had is giving my opinions on how the characters looked. That's it. The artist has been free to interpret the screenplay as he pleases. So far what I have seen is spectacular. I'm very happy with how the book is turning out.
Were you into anime and manga before working with Seven Seas? Do you have any favorite manga series?
DS: I've been a big fan of anime ever since I saw Akira so many years ago. I love Cowboy Bebop.
I haven't had much exposure to manga until recently. My background is totally screenwriting. I have picked up several titles and I am enjoying them all. I enjoy manga more than American style comics. I think the story telling in manga often has more depth. For me story is number one. I know most people would say art but for me it's the story that keeps me turning the pages.
How do you split your time between writing screenplays and writing Dead Already?
DS: Dead Already was already written years ago so I didn't have to split my time at all.
I write everyday for about six hours.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
DS: When I'm not writing I either go to the movies or play poker. Both relax me and take my mind off of my work for a little while. Because most of writing takes place in the mind, you often keep thinking about a problem even when you're not actively working. So I try to find activities that totally take my mind off of writing. Movies and poker do it the best for me.
How many volumes do you think Dead Already will need to tell its story?
DS: I think Dead Already will be two volumes.
Do you see yourself continuing to write Dead Already after the current script is drawn?
DS: I would love to write more adventures for the hero, John Lyon. He's a real badass and a fun character. I suppose if the books become popular there will be more stories.
Do you have any other stories that you would like to see as manga?
DS: I wrote a screenplay called Zillion about a super rich private investigator that I think would make a great manga. The main character, Mathew Zillion, uses his unlimited resources and custom made gadgets to solve crimes. He's like a mix between Richie Rich and Batman.
A lot of your stories seem to be dark, supernatural mysteries. Are there any genres you'd like to try writing but haven't gotten to yet?
DS: I also write action comedy. I love musicals and I plan to write one at some point. Unfortunately, I don't think a musical will translate well to manga.
What's your advice for aspiring writers?
DS: Read a lot.
If you want to write novels... read a lot of novels.
If you want to write screenplays... read a lot of screenplays.
If you want to write Manga... read a lot of Manga.
I know it sounds simple but it's very important to read what's out there and understand what publishers and producers are buying. Reading also helps to put you in the mindset to write that particular type of material. All the best writers do this.
You mentioned that you are working on other projects for Seven Seas besides Dead Already. Anything you can tell us about?
DS: I am writing a new Speed Racer series that will be coming out in Manga style. I am also writing an original manga called Heist School, about a sassy young girl who attends a secret school that teaches the criminal arts.
While a lot of people are very fond of the Speed Racer anime, a lot of younger fans have never seen the show. How do you write a story that appeals to both long time fans and newbies?
DS: Hmmm. Good question. My approach was to come up with a story that would incorporate everything the fans, myself being the biggest one of all, love about the Speed Racer world. The cars, the gadgets, the characters, the two fisted action, the cool races. The trick was to fit all that stuff in and still have a solid page turner. I think that if I have accomplished what I set out to do, the long time fans will be happy that all their favorite stuff is there and the newbies will get caught up in the Speed Racer magic.
We'd love to hear from you!