Writing Duo Opens Doors

In the entertainment industry finding the right muse for a writing partner may be the hardest thing to connect to when wanting to create something original.

Arden Pryor is an accomplished Screenwriter, Director and Producer. He originally started his career as a stand-up comedian and character actor. As an actor he worked in both theatre and television. Notably he played Rebel Wilson's mother in FAT PIZZA. Since completing an Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting at RMIT, Arden has been developing his own projects and working behind the scenes on shows like SHAUN MICALLEF’S MAD AS HELL and TONIGHTLY WITH TOM BALLARD.

Most recently, Arden created and produced the all-female lead Foxtel sitcom FIX HER UP and directed the live comedy show FROM SCRAGS TO RICHES at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Arden also has a USA/Australian co-production in development, FOMO.

His friend, Jo Buckman started her writing career by dropping out of a Masters in Molecular Biology to become a radio copywriter. She quickly progressed to writing and producing television commercials, web videos and short films. Her first film, “A Trolley Named Desire” was selected for the In the Bin Short Film Festival and was shown around Australia. In 2012, she was a winner of the 50 Kisses Screenplay Competition for the London Screenwriters’ Festival and her short film You Never Bring Me Flowers was included in the final anthology feature. In 2014, Jo won the Kodak Nahemi Award for her commercial Once She Was Just Like You. She also had her first feature optioned by Compos Mentis Productions (it is now in active development). In 2017, she sold her second feature to a production company. Jo is now developing several TV shows.

Jo was born in the UK to a South African Mom and English Dad and mostly raised in Australia before she moved back to the UK in 2011. After lasting barely three winters there, she moved to L.A in 2014 where the weather is warmer, but the tea isn’t as good.

We sat down with Arden and Jo to find out what their newest project, “Closed Doors” was all about:

Tell us about your new project: CLOSED DOORS?

Arden – It’s a one-hour ensemble dramedy about women married to gay men or in unconventional relationships. Not marriages of convenience though, more religious like gay/bi Mormons trying to suppress their sexuality to live heterosexual lives.

Jo – It centers on a religious man who, while strongly attracted to the same sex, suppresses his desires and chooses to live life as a hetero “normal”. It also focuses on his family – such as his sister who has rebelled against the faith completely and now lives in a polyamorous relationship. It’s a close look at intimate and unconventional relationships.

How do you two know each other?

Jo - We studied screenwriting together at RMIT in Melbourne. Years later, I’d moved to LA and was volunteering at ScriptFest when I bumped into Arden again at the registration desk.

Arden – If our life were a friend-com, it would have been our meet-cute.

Jo – We started talking, hanging out and it grew from there.

Arden – When I returned to Australia to make my TV show Fix Her Up, we kept in contact and caught up whenever I was in Los Angeles. Eventually we started reading each other scripts and talking ‘shop’ about development.

Tell us a little about both of you.

Arden – I’m a screenwriter / producer from Australia. My background was originally in comedy. I started out as a stand-up comedian and character actor before moving into writing and producing full time. I’m best known for being the creator of Foxtel’s sitcom, Fix Her Up, and for playing Rebel Wilson’s mother in her first Australian comedy show. Yep, you read that right – mother. I’ve got several projects in development at the moment including a co-production between the U.S.A. and Australia.

Jo – I am a failed scientist. I dropped out of honors in molecular biology to become a radio copywriter. Radio copywriting was awesome for screenwriting as it taught me how to convey ideas and create emotional impact with as few words as possible. It also gave me a good ear for writing natural dialogue.

Arden – Wow! I never knew that.

Jo – I’m full of surprises. After radio, I started writing and producing TV commercials and web videos, made a few short films and it grew from there. In 2015 I wrote and developed a romcom musical feature in the UK with Compos Mentis Productions. Last year I wrote a screenplay for a LA based Production Company which will hopefully be green lit to go into production very soon. I’m now going out with a new pilot.

Why this project now?

Arden – It felt like a world we haven’t seen before and one that was ripe with story. I think as a society we’ve become afraid to talk about anything that makes us feel uncomfortable. Conversations are shut down like a “closed door” (sorry I couldn’t resist that one.) and this show is part of that discussion. I’m fascinated with the unusual and the peculiar, especially when it comes to relationships. I wanted to explore what it’s like for a woman to be married to a gay man, albeit one trying to live a heterosexual life. I’m not here to judge or endorse a particular lifestyle though, only to tell a story.

Jo – I’ve always wanted to explore poly-relationships – my former roommate got married and she ended up in a poly relationship. It was fascinating to watch it all evolve. We have this image of poly relationships being so uncomplicated, sexy and freeing. They often start that way but the truth is – it gets messy. Relationships are hard and the more people you’re having relationships with the harder it gets. But I think it’s fascinating that people can put aside their jealousy to even try!

How did the project come about?

Arden – I pitched this idea of a gay-man trying to live a straight-life – but sort of being open about his preferences to his wife.

Jo - And I told him about my experiences with my polyamorous roommate (who is still a good friend of mine to this day). From there it took on a life of its own.

Arden – It felt like we had halves of the same story.

Jo – The two stories dovetail very well. At the core it’s really about sexual desire and suppression and this fear of not being accepted for craving something that’s not “normal”.

Arden – I love the polarity of these two siblings. One trying to stay with their faith and the other completely rejecting it. There is so much conflict right there and that’s without even talking about the other characters.

What is the most difficult part in putting it together?

Arden – I’m in Australia at the moment and Jo is in Los Angeles. The physical distance and the time difference makes it hard to collaborate.

Jo - We’re both busy juggling other projects as well which doesn’t help. Also, I’ve been living in LA for 4 years now and I now speak fluent American. Arden still uses words like “boot” and “lollies” – so I constantly have to translate.

Arden – I’m still dealing with the fact that Americans don’t use the word “fortnight”.

Jo – Ah. I miss using that word.

What is the easiest part in collaborating on it?

Jo – Well it’s Arden. And it’s me. So that’s easy. We have the same sensibilities (writing-wise), we’re both quirky and we’re both on the same page. Well same page, different countries.

Arden – One of our first conversations was about tone. Big lesson I learnt from previous projects is tone is everything. You can have the same idea but if the tone is different it won’t work.

Jo – I like to explore dark subjects in a light way. To me, humor, is what makes dark stuff palatable.

Arden – And my background is originally comedy, so that was the direction I wanted to go in too. Besides the lightness makes the dramatic moments hit all the harder.

Jo – It’s fun because underneath it all, we’re both kind of dark souls – but in a fun, light way. So this suits our temperament.

Why do you think people still suppress their true desires?

Jo – Fear of rejection. Of not fitting in. Perhaps also fear of themselves – what would happen to them if they unleashed everything inside of them.

Arden – Rejection is a very real concern and despite how much we like to think society has moved forward, it’s definitely a possibility. As a gay man, I remember how difficult and scary it was to come out. It’s not easy, there are challenges. Especially when you come from a religious and/or ethnic background.

How does society and religion play into the suppression of your characters’ true life desires?

Jo - Religion and society can give us a good foundation to live honest and productive lives – but they can also impose unrealistic expectations on people who don’t fit into the norm, which creates an enormous amount of internal pressure. Losing a community that you love being a part of because your true desires don’t fit with their expectations can be devastating.

Arden – In the past I think it was easier for people to compartmentalize their lives but we’re now in the era of social media. It’s getting harder and harder to keep things private and let’s be honest, things have a habit of seeing the light one way or another.

Why do you think Gay or Bi men married to women think that living a heterosexual lifestyle is easier or better?

Jo – This is complete speculation on my part but I imagine that when your sexuality isn’t socially acceptable, that fear of being constantly judged or hounded every time you walk down the street, go shopping, go out to dinner etc., would be a powerful motivator to stay silent. I also think that perhaps while they have suppressed their desire to have sex with other men, they do genuinely enjoy the company of their wives and having a family. So perhaps in their minds, it’s an acceptable trade off. I am passing no judgment here.

Arden – Exactly! I think there is genuine affection between the couples, albeit maybe not in the way they really want or need. There’s a tug-of-war going on inside them between who they want to be and who they really are.

Why do you think people’s deep dark secrets are always great fodder for plays, TV and film?

Jo - It creates great internal conflict and great internal conflict makes great TV. And the mystery of not knowing is what engages us as an audience. I always wished I didn’t say immediately what I was thinking and would be more mysterious. Then people would find me more intriguing.

Arden – Everyone likes watching a deep dark secret being revealed, as long as it’s not their own. Add a character willing to do anything to keep their secret and you have the start of a fun ride.

Where are you heading with this project?

Jo – World domination. I like to aim high. Falling short of that – obviously we’d like it on TV and shown around the world 24-7.

Arden – Keep your ears on the TV box (or laptop screen).

Jo – We’ll use this project’s success as a jumping point to establish our own production company, called “Buck-PryorLand” or “Pryor-BuckLand” (we’re still arguing over this) and make more amazing shows that will all air one after the other.

Arden – Definitely “Pryor-Buckland.”

Jo – Ah-uh. Sure.