Dream Big

Student sells original feature film screenplay

Many writers dream of having their scripts turned into multimillion-dollar Hollywood productions, but for most writers, that dream never becomes a reality. David Gwin, a senior English major, has already made his mark on the film industry with his script, The 9th Circle, which could be released to moviegoers in 2002.

David Gwin is a third-generation JMU legacy from Stuarts Draft, Va. He was in-spired to start writing for television and film in the eighth grade, when he and a friend wrote a script for the TV series, Married With Children. Although Columbia Pictures rejected that script, Gwin was not discouraged.

At JMU, Gwin became interested in the subject of hell after reading Dante Ali-ghieri's Inferno, and he started writing his script for The 9th Circle. Gwin sought advice on medieval history from English professor Dabney Bankert, and the script went through several revisions in Gwin's screenwriting class.

Gwin also took his script to the American Voetrope writers' workshop, where he learned, "For every 10 people who like your stories, there will be 10 people who don't." Gwin completed his script last December and sent copies to several film companies.

The 9th Circleis set in 1289 during a period of civil war. The country is torn be-tween supporters of the Pope and those of the new emperor. The Pope is sent into exile and remains there for 11 years until he finds a scroll that tells him how the divine sword of Charlemagne was cast into hell. In order to regain his power, the Pope must find a warrior and an oracle that will help him retrieve the holy weapon. The task is far from easy, and the Pope must be wary of the emperor's imperial forces, who want to execute him for treason.

Although Gwin has taken liberties with some historical events he has put in the film, it is the mixture of real life, fiction and fantasy that he says will make the movie good "mainstream entertainment."

Macmillan Films bought the script in March and has moved it into pre-production, seeking a co-producer and additional financial sources. As the screenwriter, Gwin will receive 2 to 3 percent of the movie profits and will be allowed some creative input, even though filming will be on a closed set. Gwin is trying to sell his second feature film script, Apocalypse, and is writing a new version of the Dr. Faustus story, which he calls The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

By Marisa Domenech ('01)