Ink and Iron

Unleashing the Unsettling Soul of a Screenwriter

By Jason D. Gregory

As adults, survival mode tends to become the default setting as we prioritize responsibilities and choose practical paths over the dreams we had as kids. Growing up, most of my friends wanted to be “Like Mike,” my dreams were rooted in the world of storytelling, and I wanted to be more like…Spike. But, the allure of the advertising world pulled me away, offering the taste of storytelling I craved but never genuinely fulfilling the fire that smoldered deep within me.

For years, I danced on the edge of creative expression, dipping my pen into corporate scripts that masked my artistic hunger. The art of advertising teased me with its financial rewards, but its glossy sheen could never satiate my thirst for raw, emotional storytelling on the grand stage of the silver screen.

In 2016, armed with my storytelling experience, a bachelor’s degree in film, and a relentless will to reclaim my dreams, I embarked on a journey of rediscovery. I returned to school to obtain my MFA in Film, and it became my sanctuary—an arena where I fought to reconnect with my true essence. Each lesson was an emotional awakening, peeling back the layers of conformity and revealing the heart of the storyteller that had long lain dormant.

Late nights became my confidant as I delved into the depths of film theory and technique. The challenges were unyielding, but my passion burned hotter than ever before. I felt the most authentic expression of my emotions: writing, rewriting, editing, sweating, regretting, pushing through, and striving to get my just due.

Film school became my salvation—a baptism of fire that purified my artistic soul. It was more than academia—an intimate, emotional journey of self-discovery. With every word I penned, I breathed life into characters that resonated with my struggles and triumphs. Each screenplay became a mirror to my soul—a testament to the depths of the emotions I had long suppressed.

Emerging from film school, I was reborn—a screenwriter with a vision unapologetically his own. I embraced my newfound energy and purpose and began feeding that inner child that was starving for more. The world of advertising had shaped me, but the world of film had stripped away the layers, revealing the true storyteller that lay beneath.

Having rediscovered my path as a screenwriter and reignited the fire of my passion, I now walk this journey with an insatiable hunger and unyielding dedication to storytelling. Embracing my true calling has awakened my desire to continuously grow, learn, and create. As I carve out my own niche, I am equally committed to guiding others on their paths. Teaching aspiring storytellers to embrace their dreams and nurture their creative spirits has become a profound source of fulfillment for me.

To all those who find themselves wandering, yearning for the courage to return to their roots, I urge you to embrace the emotional chaos that leads to rediscovery. Embrace change, pursue your passions, and get the fuck out of your own way! You will find the essence of who you are in that sacred space. For me, it was reintroducing myself to the storyteller that was dying to get out.