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

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been writing screenplays for twenty years now, and as my own experience expanded, folks started asking me for feedback, notes, insights. And I was happy to oblige. But over time, it became clear how much work was involved, certainly considering how I provide coverage. I’m super-detailed and nitpicky (editing as well as story/structure, character/formatting assistance), and that kind of focus can be rather time intensive. So five years ago (just celebrated Klugula Screenplay Consulting’s anniversary) I formed/founded my script consulting business. And I’m happy to say that it’s definitely grown. I’ve now got multiple repeat clients and in 2023, I partnered with FilmQuest (a genre film festival out of Utah) as an “official sponsor”, offering feedback packages to that festival’s screenwriting winners. Can’t believe I’d not thought of this connection before, but it’s been wonderfully successful!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started writing at age ten. Started screenwriting twenty years ago. I’ve found that my voice and experiences growing up in a somewhat dysfunctional family (who doesn’t have some chaos in their childhood?) have fueled my creative endeavors. Writing has definitely become what I call “cheap therapy”. I don’t shy away from making my scripts very personal, drawing from real-life events. I recently completed my first novel, “What the House Saw”, which pulls heavily from the time before my parents’ divorce when I was only six. Finishing a novel (it’s now in negotiations with an indie publisher — yay!) has been a lifelong dream, a MASSIVE drop in my bucket list. What sets me apart: I generally work in the horror genre, so by adding in family dynamics/dysfunction, the supernatural horror or zombie chaos almost becomes secondary to these characters getting past their own histories and issues, despite the horror around them.

As for how I got to this point professionally, I just kept at it. Am I world-famous, raking in a bajillion bucks a year? No. But I’ve made a name for myself. And as I approach a half century on this earth, I’m still pushing forward. Despite my wants to continue climbing the ladder to success, I would be writing even if it were just for myself… simply because I have to. Recognizing the reasons for why you pursue anything in this crazy business, keeps your motivations (and your head) clear.

Overall, I’m all about the process. If someone is coming into screenwriting with open eyes, all the better. It’s tough, it’s time-consuming and generally not a place where “overnight successes” thrive. You gotta enjoy it. Advice: get as good as you can in the craft, but don’t forget that networking and self-promotion are just as important. Being a wallflower at networking events, does you no favors. And coming from a confirmed introvert, it took me many years to get good at it. Practice makes perfect!

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.
Since I’m a movie dork and many of my friends are too, it’s all about filming locations in the LA area. Not far from where I live, the house from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Two houses used in filming “Halloween” exteriors, basically in that same neighborhood. Sure, you can hit Universal Studios or do the studio tour on the Warner Bros. lot, but standing outside the actual house where Nancy Thompson tackled Freddy Krueger, just prior to their final showdown — that’s damned nifty! I’m also a recent convert into the world of vinyl collecting. Amoeba Music is an obvious (and fabulous) go-to for record-hounds, but a stop at The Record Parlour is also very worthy of your time (amazing clearance bins). And since you’re in that neighborhood, St. Felix is a great place for atmosphere and tasty drinks/eats. And what stroll down Hollywood Blvd. and its Walk of Fame, would be complete without a stop at legendary filmmaker, George A. Romero’s star? Gotta pay tribute to the greatest while you’re out and about!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Several years back, I was a film critic for multiple outlets — a position which lasted seven years. That opportunity led to so many interesting and valuable connections, not to mention long-lasting friendships. I not only wrote reviews, I also covered festival carpets, wrote editorials, did celebrity interviews and had the opportunity to do fun set visits. Yes, I was working, but it also offered amazing networking opportunities for me as a filmmaker/screenwriter. On the critic side, watching hundreds of films and putting good and bad thoughts into my articles (had to be concise at 1000 words max), helped me to understand so much more about script-writing and the filmmaking process — which only served to enhance the quality of my own writing projects. Before I landed that gig, I wrote a horror film essay for Aaron Christensen’s (“Dr. AC”) essay collection, “Hidden Horror”. That led to an introduction to Don Sumner of Horror Freak News where I began my film critic journey — and the rest is history. I call my film criticism days “an interesting sidetrack” in my writing, but what a rewarding and helpful detour that’s been!

Website: https://www.klugiverse.com

Instagram: @klugula

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-klug-98b27984/

Twitter: @klugula

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.klug.98

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@klugula/featured

Other: https://www.klugulascreenplayconsulting.com

Image Credits
Johnny Call. Vanessa Puopolo.

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