Screenwriter Adam G. Simon Talks ‘Point Blank’ Ahead of Netflix Premiere

“A hell of a day. A hell of a pair.”

That’s the tagline for the upcoming ‘Point Blank’ film premiering on Netflix July 12. And you know what? We know one heck of a writer who penned the script!

Screenwriter Adam G. Simon started his career as a TV, film, and theater actor before writing and starring in his first film, "Synapse." He also wrote "Man Down," directed by Dito Montiel, starring Shia LaBeouf, Kate Mara, Gary Oldman, and Jai Courtney, and co-wrote a remake of the action thriller "The Raid" with Joe Carnahan. In 2021 he and his business partner at Boxcar Pictures Andrea Bucko produced "On Our Way," written and directed by Sophie Lane Curtis and starring James Badge Dale, Jordana Brewster, Michael Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Keith Powers. His most recent project in development is an action flick called "Hit, Kick, Punch, Kill," which he co-wrote with Maninder Chana. A film debut date has not been set.

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In addition to his experience screenwriting, producing, and executive producing on previous films and movies since, Simon also makes a cameo acting appearance in "Point Blank," which follows an emergency room nurse who teams up with an injured murder suspect to save the nurse's pregnant wife. Rival criminals and renegade cops stand in their way. Joe Lynch directed, and Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, and Marcia Gay Harden star.

Fred Cavayé also earned writing credits for character work on the film.

Perhaps the story is that much more thrilling because of Simon's hands-on involvement during production.

“I was on set almost the entire time, working really closely with the director and also the producers … so we were all talking, and whenever a change was suggested or there was a different idea, whether it was from them, any one of them or from a cast member, it would always come back my way and then I would make those changes, put it in, and it would be there,"

Simon explained during an interview at SoCreate's headquarters. This process differed from previous screenplays Simon sold, including "Man Down" featuring Shia LaBeouf, for which he said he handed over the script, and that was that.

That's what typically happens for feature screenwriters. It's rare to find the original writer of the script on the set or for that writer even to be invited. Once the writer hands the script over, the director takes things from there.

“Being on set was super helpful,” he said. “You know I’m writing a screenplay in LA. But then, they’re shooting it in Cincinnati. So, I don’t know what’s out in Cincinnati. I don’t know if what I’m putting down in the story, they’re going to have access to from a locations perspective, or even from a stunt perspective. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to pull certain things off. So being there, and being involved in the production is great because then I got to see what the needs were of production and then adjust accordingly.”

Simon is full of great filmmaking advice, so be sure to check out his other interviews with SoCreate, including:

Don't Be Precious and More Screenwriting Advice from Adam G. Simon

Screenwriter Adam Simon Wowed By SoCreate Screenwriting Software

Happy writing!