About Me
THE BASICS:
I’m an optioned screenwriter working out of the Kansas City area. My main focus is thrillers and slightly absurdist comedy with heart. But, I believe becoming a better writer requires the ability to push personal boundaries, so you’ll notice a thorough mix of genres in my portfolio.
Born and raised in St. Louis, I’ve lived in multiple small towns around Missouri, and now Kansas. My projects often center on life in the Midwest -- highlighting the heart of the hard-working Midwest soul. My first script, a sitcom pilot OH, BROTHER!, placed second in the 2012 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition and was subsequently optioned. My most recent script, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR, was recently named a 2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist.
MORE:
A career in screenwriting is a test of will and determination. Even with mounds of each, nothing is guaranteed.
For me, the test began in 2011. After a short career in broadcasting, I made the switch to full-time screenwriting. An option quickly followed, along with a trip to LA to film a sizzle reel for the project. It was a whirlwind experience, and great fun. As with most sitcom projects, it didn't gain traction, and the project slowly faded. But, it was an excellent introduction into the business. (It's still a great script and concept, so...somebody, let's go.)
I followed that with several comedy projects. There was a comedy feature, along with multiple sitcom pilots, even an educational children's adventure series.
I began experimenting with thrillers, and my first thriller, THE HAND OF GOD, has attracted the attention of filmmakers from Chicago to North Carolina--even as far away as Nigeria, though it still remains available for sale.
I've since written a second thriller feature, 60 FEET UNDER. It's a commercial project, less independent in feel than THE HAND OF GOD. (ScriptBook.io listed 60 FEET UNDER #2 on their list of scripts with high commercial value.) And, I recently completed a feel-good comedy called WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR (very loosely based on my time as a small-town play-by-play announcer) which is already receiving interest amidst very positive feedback. (See Nicholl Fellowship placement above.)
In 2018, I took 2nd place in a March Madness-style writer's tournament, hosted by Simplyscripts. It was my first attempt at competition writing since 2014, following a period of concentration on skill-building. I found writing shorts to be amazing fun, and since have written over 50 shorts in various genres, testing my personal boundaries--even writing horror, which I'd never found personally or professionally interesting.
I wrote a creature-feature short that won. Optioned a romcom short to an international filmmaker. Again took 2nd place in the writer's tournament (2019, outright winning 2 of the 5 rounds), then followed that up with another win: a psychological horror/thriller short with a high concept that I'm developing into a feature.
Then, in 2020, I finally won the writer's tournament, boosted by a snappy little thriller named LINES. (Since filmed.)
Even scripts that didn't win found attention, including one horror short that was optioned to a director in Russia.
Turns out, I'm pretty good at writing horror. And, surprisingly, I've found I DO enjoy it.
And, really, that's what's been most interesting about the entire process: discovering new strengths.
I'm still a comedy writer at heart. Making people laugh is what makes my heart sing. But, watching others respond to new forms of my work has been an eye-opening experience. Making people cry. Tremble with fear. Making them angry or melancholy--I can do that.
Best,
Paul Knauer
PaulKWrites.com
I’m an optioned screenwriter working out of the Kansas City area. My main focus is thrillers and slightly absurdist comedy with heart. But, I believe becoming a better writer requires the ability to push personal boundaries, so you’ll notice a thorough mix of genres in my portfolio.
Born and raised in St. Louis, I’ve lived in multiple small towns around Missouri, and now Kansas. My projects often center on life in the Midwest -- highlighting the heart of the hard-working Midwest soul. My first script, a sitcom pilot OH, BROTHER!, placed second in the 2012 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition and was subsequently optioned. My most recent script, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR, was recently named a 2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist.
MORE:
A career in screenwriting is a test of will and determination. Even with mounds of each, nothing is guaranteed.
For me, the test began in 2011. After a short career in broadcasting, I made the switch to full-time screenwriting. An option quickly followed, along with a trip to LA to film a sizzle reel for the project. It was a whirlwind experience, and great fun. As with most sitcom projects, it didn't gain traction, and the project slowly faded. But, it was an excellent introduction into the business. (It's still a great script and concept, so...somebody, let's go.)
I followed that with several comedy projects. There was a comedy feature, along with multiple sitcom pilots, even an educational children's adventure series.
I began experimenting with thrillers, and my first thriller, THE HAND OF GOD, has attracted the attention of filmmakers from Chicago to North Carolina--even as far away as Nigeria, though it still remains available for sale.
I've since written a second thriller feature, 60 FEET UNDER. It's a commercial project, less independent in feel than THE HAND OF GOD. (ScriptBook.io listed 60 FEET UNDER #2 on their list of scripts with high commercial value.) And, I recently completed a feel-good comedy called WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR (very loosely based on my time as a small-town play-by-play announcer) which is already receiving interest amidst very positive feedback. (See Nicholl Fellowship placement above.)
In 2018, I took 2nd place in a March Madness-style writer's tournament, hosted by Simplyscripts. It was my first attempt at competition writing since 2014, following a period of concentration on skill-building. I found writing shorts to be amazing fun, and since have written over 50 shorts in various genres, testing my personal boundaries--even writing horror, which I'd never found personally or professionally interesting.
I wrote a creature-feature short that won. Optioned a romcom short to an international filmmaker. Again took 2nd place in the writer's tournament (2019, outright winning 2 of the 5 rounds), then followed that up with another win: a psychological horror/thriller short with a high concept that I'm developing into a feature.
Then, in 2020, I finally won the writer's tournament, boosted by a snappy little thriller named LINES. (Since filmed.)
Even scripts that didn't win found attention, including one horror short that was optioned to a director in Russia.
Turns out, I'm pretty good at writing horror. And, surprisingly, I've found I DO enjoy it.
And, really, that's what's been most interesting about the entire process: discovering new strengths.
I'm still a comedy writer at heart. Making people laugh is what makes my heart sing. But, watching others respond to new forms of my work has been an eye-opening experience. Making people cry. Tremble with fear. Making them angry or melancholy--I can do that.
Best,
Paul Knauer
PaulKWrites.com
Where is everybody?
Counting the number of people that are going to kick my butt on my first, and only, 59-mile ride.
Trying to look badass while headed to the easiest run on the mountain. Yes, the little kid is sticking his tongue out at me.
No snow on the board yet. Still feeling cocky.