Interview - Screenwriter Robert Borden

Robert Borden is the writer of THE KANSAS CITY SHUFFLE, a thriller screenplay about a man and a woman who wake up to find their hands zip-tied together and a hood over their heads. Where are they? Who did this to them? And what do "They" want?

We spoke with Robert about his background as a screenwriter.

How did you first become interested in writing?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I had a poem published in third grade. Since then, my writing has improved, and now I eat vegetables. I gave up poetry for prose in high school because I’m not a masochist. Then in college I gave up prose for screenwriting. Wait, maybe I am a masochist. I spent many years as a comedy writer and show runner, but now I’m focused on making films.

Who or what inspired you to write this particular story?
Financing inspired this film! That’s a horrible answer so let me explain. I have another script I wrote that I’m attached to direct. It even has an actor attached. It’s been in “development” for over six years. Six years! I’ll spare you the details, but that arduous process inspired me to write a film that would be easier to finance—and that meant limiting the number of locations and characters, but it was a fun challenge, not a restriction. Then, in the process of writing, I found a theme that resonated with me. I could spell it out for you, that would ruin the surprise ending of the film.

What movies or filmmakers would you consider your greatest influences as a screenwriter?
Tarantino by way of Billy Wilder. At the risk of being pretentious, Billy Wilder was my first inspiration. But the odds of making comedies and satires nowadays are not good—I refer you to the six years of “development” in the previous answer—so I’ve moved on to thrillers and horror films. For this film, because it’s a heist movie that jumps around in time, I think people will be reminded of “Reservoir Dogs.” Spoiler alert: everyone keeps their ears.

How much planning and outlining went into your process of writing this script?
I did quite a lot of planning because the script plays with time, flashing backwards and forwards over the course of the heist.

What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters who are working their first script?
Finish the damn script no matter what—put it away—write another one—then go back and reread the previous script with fresh eyes. The longer you wait, the more honest your read will be.

A big thanks to Robert Borden for his time and congratulations!