Meet Trevor Munson | Screenwriter/novelist/screenwriting instructor

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

Hi Trevor, why did you pursue a creative career?
I knew I wanted to be a writer from an early age. My writer origin story started in first grade when I attempted to write and illustrate a science fiction story I’d made up called Martians battle Martians, in which two species of aliens battle it out for supremacy on Mars. As excited as I was to tell this story, I knew I was doing a bad job. I was frustrated because I didn’t have the vocabulary or the grammar skills to depict the images and ideas I saw in my head on the page. Although I didn’t know it at the time, looking back I realize that was the day I decided to become a writer and I’ve been pursuing it ever since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

A tribal member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians, I grew up in New Jersey and Texas, and moved to Los Angeles after completing my MA in literature to pursue a career as a screenwriter without really knowing anyone in the business.

My writing career started as a result of my spec script Lone Star State of Minddoing well in the Nicholls Fellowship and Slamdance screenwriting contests. This led to me getting my first agent and eventually to the movie, which starred Joshua Jackson and Jamie King, being produced by Sony ScreenGems.

Despite a fast start to my writing career, I found myself thrown into the world of professional screenwriting with little practical knowledge or experience, and I was fortunate enough to meet mentors (like Nina Sadowsky and Ron Koslow) early in my career, who took an interest and shared their knowledge and experience to help me get up to speed.

Over the years since I have done most jobs that a writer in Hollywood can do. I have written novels (Angel of Vengeance) which I adapted into a television show for CBS (Moonlight), written features on assignment for studios, and pitched and been paid to write original ideas for multiple television series and movies.

I get most excited about writing genre stories (crime, dark comedy, westerns and horror) with strong themes of social commentary that have something to say about the current world in which we live. I currently have a western based on the life of Joaquin Murrieta, the underlying historical figure that Zorro was based on, set up at Thunder Road Pictures, and I am producing an indie horror spec that I’ve written that delves into themes and issues stemming from the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Alongside working in traditional Hollywood, I’m also a big believer in empowering yourself by finding ways to make work outside the traditional system which has so many gatekeepers and people in power whose favorite word seems to be “no”. As a result, I think it’s important for filmmakers to find ways to say “yes” to themselves. For me that meant beginning to write and produce projects to take to the festival market. It’s been a great joy to share my work and make meaningful connections with other talented filmmakers.

On top of my own writing and indie-filmmaking, I also consult on scripts and teach MFA screenwriting for the University of Southern California and Television Writing for UCLA. Teaching screenwriting has allowed me to work with young filmmakers with an eye toward helping them craft the most powerful and effective version of their scripts. It has put me back in touch with the reason I fell in love with writing in the first place, and allowed me to become a mentor to others to pay forward the gift that others extended to me when I was getting my start.

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.
One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is having access to Griffith Park. Several times a week I try to make a point of getting some exercise out in nature somewhere in the park whether it be on a remote trail, playing tennis, or taking in the amazing view at the observatory.

As a foodie, I also love access to the wide variety of amazing restaurants and cuisines available in the city. Regardless of the day trip, you can bet that a favorite dining spot will be worked into the mix. Some favorite spots include: Yucca Tacos (a taco stand with a James Beard award on Hillhurst), Malibu Seafood after a day at the beach, or Eagle Rock Deli (for excellent cannoli, pasta sauce, and sandwiches) literally any time I’m in the area.

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?
Two great mentors in my life are novelist/ educator/producer/force of nature, Nina Sadowsky, and showrunner Ron Koslow (Moonlight/Beauty and the Beast).

I feel deep gratitude to both for taking the time to share knowledge, experience, and opportunities with me at various points in my career.

Instagram: @trevor0munson

Twitter: @TREVORMUNSON

Image Credits
For the strike image of me and my partner, Bonnie Discepolo, in front of the Warner Bros Casablanca sign please credit Associate Press photographer Christopher Pizzello.