Writer/ Producer Statement
What does a cancelled trip to Las Vegas have to do with the creation of The Pragmatist? Well I canceled my vacation a couple of years ago because I was sick. And being a person who likes to turn a negative into a positive I said to myself, “okay Jeff, no trip to vegas? Then write something you wouldn’t have written if you had gone.” And so The Pragmatist was born. But why this script? Well I had just finished binge watching Dexter… Again! I am a big fan of vigilante, anti-hero and superhero shows. Arrow, The Blacklist, Xena: Warrior Princess and Nikita. I love them, but being a writer I also have thoughts on what I would do with such a show.
I also had access to a brilliant and charismatic actor who I have been friends with for twenty years in Jack Maxwell, whose abilities I wanted to showcase. So combining elements of some of my vigilante favorites, I wrote The Pragmatist.
When I finished it, I wanted to get the script to Jack and to director/producer Peter Paul Basler to gage their interest. I met Peter in 2007 when he was brought on to be a producer for a live web show about the entertainment business called Filmnut, that I was cast to host. We worked very well together. Peter left after season 2 of 5 because his directing/producing was picking up steam.
I said to myself (as you can tell, I like to talk to myself a lot!) if I can get Jack and Peter interested in The Pragmatist then I’ll go for it!
To be honest, not only did they love it, but, at first, they were more passionate about it than me! In their own way they kept pushing me. And the more they pushed, the more it inspired me to do what I could to help make it happen!
Putting the rest of the cast together was a blast. I had met Adrienne Wilkinson years ago, when she was a guest on Filmnut. Did I mention I’m a HUGE Xena: Warrior Princess fan? Adrienne had played Xena’s daughter Livia/Eve… I have a little geek attack just thinking about working with anyone from Xena! She took to the script right away and put Peter and I in touch with Crista Flanagan. Crista is sooo funny! Comedic actors often do great when switching to something more dramatic, and I loved seeing her in the role of Jessica.
Peter worked 2nd unit on the sci-fi show, Z Nation, and that was how we got the script to Natalie Jonjaroenlarp. It took a minute to get the pronunciation of her last name right. Natalie is a bundle of energy who got the script right away and couldn’t wait to be a part of it! (And now saying Jonjaroenlarp is kind of easy!)
I love it, and am humbled when listening to Natalie and the other cast members explain the concepts/meaning of the script and why they like it. They get it. And it shows in the work. Cast and crew were totally committed to making this thing and I am so appreciative of everyone’s efforts!
We made The Pragmatist as a short film but we’re not done yet! After taking run at Film Festivals in 2021, I’ve also written a pitch deck to promote the project and Peter and I will be pitching it as a TV show.
Stay tuned for updates!
Jeff
Jeff Schubert 