Meet Ron Yungul | Screenwriter, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ron Yungul and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ron, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
A friend once explained his motivation to pursue the arts: “It’s because I have no other tangible skills.” I won’t be quite as cynical, but there is some truth in that explanation. Creating is the only thing I am truly passionate about, long term. I had briefly entertained the idea of being a gag writer or a single panel cartoonist, but after taking a summer class in screenwriting before starting a graduate degree in filmmaking, I settled on screenwriting. Storytelling is my passion and film history my hobby. I’m trying to dabble in all genres save musicals, but i feel that comedy is my forte.

I recently wrote and executive produced a feature film, The War Between, which is now finished and currently being shopped around by a sales agent. My creative partner and I are currently in pre-production on our next film. I also have a TV series in development.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have struggled for years to gain a foothold in the film business and maintain the enthusiasm necessary to keep going when inspiration wanes, as it always will from time to time. I feel persistence and perseverance are the two qualities necessary to succeed as a writer, along with no small amount of luck. I think what I bring to screenwriting is a skill which is developed, not learned, combined with a visual sensibility which allows me to watch the movie playing out on a screen inside my head as I write. I think I bring a knowledge of classic movie storytelling and visual style to my stories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Burbank is a treat for a movie buff like myself, because not only do I feel immersed in the world of filmmaking whenever I go out for coffee or a meal because everyone has their laptop open to final draft and their latest and greatest script, but we are surrounded by studios: Disney, Warner Bros., and not too far away, Universal Studios. Not to mention the dozens of post production houses and supply stores.

If I had a week and unlimited funds to entertain best friends, I would take them to Universal Studios, maybe the Warner Bros. classic movie tour, coffee and breakfast at Aroma Cafe in Tujunga Village (a great place to people watch), and perhaps dinner at Castaways up in the Burbank hills. Another day, a hike through Stough Canyon, and perhaps a drive to Hollywood and dinner as Musso & Frank’s, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. A summer evening at the Hollywood Bowl would be a great way to cap off a week’s visit to my hometown and environs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The faculty at San Francisco State University, where I learned the fundamentals of film writing and production. Also, I want to give a special shout out to Lenny Shapiro, one of the founders of Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, who’s enthusiastic support and advice has gone a long way to providing me with the encouragement to keep writing and imagining. As a veteran film producer, his experience has been an invaluable foundation for my own sense of ambition and perseverance to keep writing and keep trying. And of course, my mom, who passed away in 2020, and was an ardent fan of classic Hollywood movies.

Website: https://www.thewarbetweenfilm.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsyungul

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdIcQjCo7rb3OV48spAMOw

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3459047/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Image Credits
photos courtesy of The War Between LLC