17 Questions with The Luck of the Irish Screenwriter Andrew Shepard Price
March 2015
|
By the luck of the Irish / IMDb, I discovered something recently. It wasn't a crock o'gold or that my family are leprechauns masquerading as humans or that I'm the heir to the Emerald Isle potato chip fortune (that one hurts).
Instead, like a whack of a shillelagh stick, I learned something mind-blowing: one of my co-workers wrote The Luck of the Irish. Wrote. it. As in, created it, as in, the reason it exists as we know it. Currently, Andrew Shepard Price and I share office space at the iconic game show Jeopardy!, where he works as the Segment and Graphic Supervisor, but back in the early 2000's, he was a freelance screenwriter hired to develop what later became a DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) for the ages. The Luck of the Irish premiered on The Disney Channel on March 9, 2001, making this wee little film 14 already! Saints preserve us! |
Andrew Shepard Price
|
|
|
 Timothy Omundson as Seamus McTiernan
There's so much to love about the story of half-leprechaun Kyle Johnson (his dad's from Cleveland) and his journey through his family's past to discover his present. For starters, that gold coin-suspending man-necklace that went on for days. 2001, you thought you were so cool!
The film featured memorable performances, including lauded actor and comedian Henry Gibson as spirited 200-year-old sprite Reilly O'Reilly (He was also the voice of Wilbur in Charlotte's Web. Let that sink in). Also, Timothy Omundson ("Galavant", "Xena: Warrior Princess") gave a fiery performance as far darrig Seamus, the villainous red-coiffed leprechaun with formidable basketball skills. |
"Caution: High Temp" is right: Kyle Johnson was adorable even during his "I Was A Teenage Leprechaun" phase! Spock ears FTW!
Is there anything better than that grand finale, though? Graduating from choreographed 5ive routines into a veritable "Lord of the Dance", teenage dreamboat Ryan Merriman got "jig"gy with it to showcase his newly realized heritage, step-dancing his way into our hearts once more. Naturally, a big "kumbaya" group sing followed, reminding us of the great melting pot that is 'Murica, as multicultural BFFs Kyle and Bonnie Lopez duet to "This Land Is Your Land" in front of a gigantic American Flag (is this a junior high assembly or the opening credits
to Major Dad, Disney?). If that's not the mark of a quality DCOM, I don't know what is.
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the film's anniversary, and on behalf of our early-Millennium selves, I asked Andrew to share his story on writing The Luck of the Irish.
He provides an honest, genuine example of what it's like to be a freelance screenwriter, and in true Hollywood fashion, can't help but mention the word "sequel"!
to Major Dad, Disney?). If that's not the mark of a quality DCOM, I don't know what is.
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the film's anniversary, and on behalf of our early-Millennium selves, I asked Andrew to share his story on writing The Luck of the Irish.
He provides an honest, genuine example of what it's like to be a freelance screenwriter, and in true Hollywood fashion, can't help but mention the word "sequel"!
Ryan "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" Merriman; Most recently, Ryan portrayed Ian Thomas on "Pretty Little Liars"
|
What is your background in writing? Was your goal always to become a screenwriter?
I never had formal or college training as a screenwriter. I actually went to college to be an accountant - a dream that my mother had for me to be a “professional”. I had good math skills, so that made it a relatively easy choice for her. For me, I had zero idea what I wanted to do, and in college, I discovered pretty quickly that accounting wasn't going to be in the cards for me. However, a business degree offered me the most electives, so I was pretty free to take various courses and discover what I did love. There was an experimental film series at college each week and that started my interest in film. After college, I traveled around the world for a few years and eventually settled in New York City where I worked a series of odd jobs. Eventually, I got a job at MTV, wrote some material for a show called “Remote Control”, and that was the springboard for my paid career in writing. How long had you been writing professionally before selling the script for Luck? I had been writing for about 10 years before I sold Luck. I had a few scripts that people took interest in but never sold. What was your experience being hired by Disney as the screenwriter for this film? |
I wrote a Christmas script that my lawyer loved, and she gave it to someone at Disney. The person at Disney liked it but thought it was too edgy. However, based on that script, they invited me in to pitch other ideas. My lawyer said they were interested in a story about a leprechaun and had me mull it over. I pitched the idea and, from what I remember, it all came together within a couple weeks. I wrote an outline, which they accepted. Then I went off and wrote the script. I did 3 drafts over a five-month period.
Did Disney set any parameters for the content of the script?
What I wrote was pretty much the story I pitched and outlined. I was free to write whatever I wanted with a few caveats - they originally wanted Kyle to be raised by a single mother.
As the writer, when did your involvement with the production end?
My involvement ended when they took my 3rd draft and said “thank you”. I was never on the set or had any role in the production. However, from what I've heard, it’s a rarity for the writer to have that sort of access.
Was it difficult for you to lose creative control and know that others would be responsible for fulfilling your vision from page to screen?
Of course it bothered me. You always want to be the next great writer and feel no one can do your story justice (measured with an equal amount of feeling like a fraudulent hack). Working in TV, you learn pretty quickly that it’s a collaborative art. I've come to appreciate and, in some instances, desire that camaraderie. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, so having other people around stirs the juices and makes me want to work harder.
Did you watch the movie, and if so, did you like how it turned out?
I watched the movie but not recently. I thought it turned out great and was happy that it wound up hewing closest to my first draft.
The movie centers on heritage. Is that an aspect of life you feel strongly about?
I used his search for heritage as a jumping off point for what I hoped to be a more personal story. After reading my first draft, my wife kept trying to convince me I was writing about a boy discovering and coming to terms with being gay. I was more interested in a boy who has to rediscover himself. Since I’m not a leprechaun, I needed to find something about Kyle that I could relate to and make personal. Not to harp on my own life experience but for me, high school was very easy but college was like an ice bath. What once came easy needed work and who I thought I was no longer jibed with who I actually was. I wanted Kyle to have those personal feelings of security, followed by confusion, alienation and fear, culminating in a new-found confidence and joy.
Exemplifying that theme, one of the most-remembered scenes is Kyle's and Bonnie's duet to “This Land is Your Land” at the end of the film. What was your inspiration for that moment?
I didn't have that in my story at all, so it threw me for a loop when I saw it. I was a little annoyed at first, but the next time I watched it, I appreciated how that song brought a warmth and closure to the story.
I love the character detail that Reilly O’Reilly invented potato chips and its nod to Irish culture. How much research into Irish history and folklore did you do?
I did a little research into the culture - read books and watched some Irish dancing, as well as ate some of the food (the best part of research). However, I didn’t want to feel hemmed in by mythology and wanted my story to come from my own imagination. I used what I read as color but didn't go too deeply into actual folklore.
Do you have a favorite scene that you wrote?
I had a few inside jokes that I was pleasantly surprised made it into the film. My brother’s wife and family were from Cleveland, and they liked the shout-out in the end. I also wrote some stories for "Star Trek: Voyager" so I liked that the Vulcan reference stayed in. I also liked that the final battle [between Seamus and Kyle] was on the basketball court, because one of the early notes [from the studio] was that they didn't want a final basketball game in my later drafts.
Did you continue to write for television after Luck? What advice would you give to an aspiring screenwriter, especially considering the difficulty of getting one's scripts sold?
I continue to write, but my output slowed considerably as my family grew. I decided I wanted to be a father who spent time with my kids, so I worked hard on that aspect of my life. Now that my kids are getting older, I’m finding I have more time to think about stories. I’m currently outlining a new script which I hope to write this year.
If you want to be a writer, you have to write and rewrite - even my first draft of Luck was revised multiple times before I handed it in. I also used to belong to a writer’s group in which we met every week and read and critiqued each other’s work. I found that invaluable and would recommend that new writers form such groups.
Were you aware at the time it debuted, or are you aware now of how beloved The Luck of the Irish remains to those who grew up watching Disney Channel movies?
No idea whatsoever! I’m honored that Disney continues to air it. You always want what you've written to live a long life, but that’s more the exception than the rule.
How does it feel to have created one of the only films associated with the St. Patrick’s Day holiday?
I only wish Disney took me seriously when I told them I had a great idea for a sequel.
SAY WHAT?! We could've had "Teen Leprechaun Too"?! Start wishing on some rainbows, y'all - we can only dream of being so lucky! Until that magical day arrives, set your DVRs for The Luck of the Irish, rerunning today on The Disney Channel at 4:00pm EST / 1:00pm PST.
Did Disney set any parameters for the content of the script?
What I wrote was pretty much the story I pitched and outlined. I was free to write whatever I wanted with a few caveats - they originally wanted Kyle to be raised by a single mother.
As the writer, when did your involvement with the production end?
My involvement ended when they took my 3rd draft and said “thank you”. I was never on the set or had any role in the production. However, from what I've heard, it’s a rarity for the writer to have that sort of access.
Was it difficult for you to lose creative control and know that others would be responsible for fulfilling your vision from page to screen?
Of course it bothered me. You always want to be the next great writer and feel no one can do your story justice (measured with an equal amount of feeling like a fraudulent hack). Working in TV, you learn pretty quickly that it’s a collaborative art. I've come to appreciate and, in some instances, desire that camaraderie. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, so having other people around stirs the juices and makes me want to work harder.
Did you watch the movie, and if so, did you like how it turned out?
I watched the movie but not recently. I thought it turned out great and was happy that it wound up hewing closest to my first draft.
The movie centers on heritage. Is that an aspect of life you feel strongly about?
I used his search for heritage as a jumping off point for what I hoped to be a more personal story. After reading my first draft, my wife kept trying to convince me I was writing about a boy discovering and coming to terms with being gay. I was more interested in a boy who has to rediscover himself. Since I’m not a leprechaun, I needed to find something about Kyle that I could relate to and make personal. Not to harp on my own life experience but for me, high school was very easy but college was like an ice bath. What once came easy needed work and who I thought I was no longer jibed with who I actually was. I wanted Kyle to have those personal feelings of security, followed by confusion, alienation and fear, culminating in a new-found confidence and joy.
Exemplifying that theme, one of the most-remembered scenes is Kyle's and Bonnie's duet to “This Land is Your Land” at the end of the film. What was your inspiration for that moment?
I didn't have that in my story at all, so it threw me for a loop when I saw it. I was a little annoyed at first, but the next time I watched it, I appreciated how that song brought a warmth and closure to the story.
I love the character detail that Reilly O’Reilly invented potato chips and its nod to Irish culture. How much research into Irish history and folklore did you do?
I did a little research into the culture - read books and watched some Irish dancing, as well as ate some of the food (the best part of research). However, I didn’t want to feel hemmed in by mythology and wanted my story to come from my own imagination. I used what I read as color but didn't go too deeply into actual folklore.
Do you have a favorite scene that you wrote?
I had a few inside jokes that I was pleasantly surprised made it into the film. My brother’s wife and family were from Cleveland, and they liked the shout-out in the end. I also wrote some stories for "Star Trek: Voyager" so I liked that the Vulcan reference stayed in. I also liked that the final battle [between Seamus and Kyle] was on the basketball court, because one of the early notes [from the studio] was that they didn't want a final basketball game in my later drafts.
Did you continue to write for television after Luck? What advice would you give to an aspiring screenwriter, especially considering the difficulty of getting one's scripts sold?
I continue to write, but my output slowed considerably as my family grew. I decided I wanted to be a father who spent time with my kids, so I worked hard on that aspect of my life. Now that my kids are getting older, I’m finding I have more time to think about stories. I’m currently outlining a new script which I hope to write this year.
If you want to be a writer, you have to write and rewrite - even my first draft of Luck was revised multiple times before I handed it in. I also used to belong to a writer’s group in which we met every week and read and critiqued each other’s work. I found that invaluable and would recommend that new writers form such groups.
Were you aware at the time it debuted, or are you aware now of how beloved The Luck of the Irish remains to those who grew up watching Disney Channel movies?
No idea whatsoever! I’m honored that Disney continues to air it. You always want what you've written to live a long life, but that’s more the exception than the rule.
How does it feel to have created one of the only films associated with the St. Patrick’s Day holiday?
I only wish Disney took me seriously when I told them I had a great idea for a sequel.
SAY WHAT?! We could've had "Teen Leprechaun Too"?! Start wishing on some rainbows, y'all - we can only dream of being so lucky! Until that magical day arrives, set your DVRs for The Luck of the Irish, rerunning today on The Disney Channel at 4:00pm EST / 1:00pm PST.
|
|
