John: My first paid television job was on a wonderful sketch comedy series called ILL-ustrated for VH1. Tevya: What was your first “real” screenwriting gig? But that’s such a different world, and not one I’m really in. John: I have not, though I do have a novel that I’d love to see published. Tevya: Have you published, or attempted to publish any books or other forms of writing? I wrote lots of spec features, was in a sketch comedy group where I was generating a huge amount of material every month, and became determined that I would do it as a living, which soon happened. After moving on from the theater company, I eventually had to cop to the fact that I was writer and that I loved film and television. ![]() John: I was running a Shakespeare company I’d founded right out of college, and started to want to do original shows that didn’t exist, so I had to write them. Tevya: How did you get started screenwriting? Writing is a faith exercise, and every day I’ll chant to hear the voices of the characters and let them tell their stories through me. And, amazingly, Scott knew all about the SGI because he did his mission in Japan! SGI Buddhists have a shared mission for world peace which we believe can be achieved through each person in the world becoming their best self-wise, compassionate and courageous. When I first met with Scott Swofford, the Executive Producer on Granite Flats who is a practicing Mormon, I did something I don’t often do in a show business meeting-I talked about my faith. There are many types of Buddhism, as there are many types of Christianity, but our practice is based in the Lotus Sutra, which teaches that everyone has unlimited potential or what we would call a “great self,” which we can draw out by chanting the title of the Lotus Sutra, “nam-myoho-renge-kyo” and helping others to do the same. John: For the past 19 years, I’ve been a practicing Buddhist and member of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a lay Buddhist organization. Tevya: Tell us a little about your faith and spirituality, such as what it is, and how did you came to it, and what role it plays in your life & writing? John: Yes-we are so fortunate to work together on this. Tevya: I had no idea you were married to one cast member and father of another. We also have a hilarious dog named Luigi. Susan Andrews on Granite Flats, and we have wonderful two sons, Charlie, who plays Timmy Sanders on the show, and James, who is 9 and isn’t yet in show business (his choice). I’m married to Maia Guest, a brilliant actress who plays Dr. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago and a suburb of New York City, got my degree from Tufts University in English and Drama, and I’ve been working as an actor, director, producer and writer in theater, television and film since before I even finished school. John: First off, thank you so much for your enthusiasm for Granite Flats! Tevya: Hey John, to get us started, tell us a little about your history: where you grew up, education, work experience, family, etc? There are no spoilers in this interview, so read freely. He provides some great insights on writing, work, and life, and how they interact with faith. Plummer is not LDS but is a deeply spiritual, practicing Buddhist. ![]() I felt an interview was in order. As you’ll find out, Mr. I asked some questions on a Facebook post from the official Granite Flats page, and was surprised to receive answers by John Christian Plummer, the sole writer of Season 3, as well as Scott Christopher who plays “Frank” in the series. It’s pacing was just a little faster-something I’d said was needed all along. It all just seemed a little sharper, quicker, and more gripping. I felt like season 3 was where the show really matured. I finished Granite Flats season 3 and was hungry for more.
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