Paul Guay – Screenwriter, Mentor

Paul Guay Film Connection Mentor

Legendary Los Angeles, California Film Writer

A screenwriter for more than 30 years, you could say Paul Guay has earned his share of success: His screenplays have earned $500 million at the worldwide box office. Guay conceived and co-wrote Liar, Liar, the movie starring the irrepressible Jim Carrey as a devious lawyer that can no longer lie.

At the time of its release, it was the sixth-highest grossing comedy in history, the second most successful film of Carrey’s career, and the highest-grossing film for Imagine ever. Guay also wrote Heartbreakers and The Little Rascals for the big screen.

Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, and Gene Hackman star in the former, while Penelope Spheeris directed a bevy of young actors (Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, Raven-Symoné) right along with Hollywood greats like Mel Brooks and Whoopi Goldberg in the latter. Guay also helped polish drafts for The Neverending Story and Mouse Hunt and wrote On A Pale Horse, based on the Piers Anthony fantasy book.

Guay’s work isn’t limited to Tinseltown. He stepped in the squared circle as a former consultant for World Wrestling Entertainment. More recently, he finished co-writing and will be an executive producer for Bruno Sammartino: The Living Legend. One of the godfathers of professional wrestling, his life before packed arenas was almost as unbelievable as his feats in the ring.

Another recent project Guay co-wrote and will co-produce is Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, a comedy-drama about one band that overshadowed The Beatles during their time in Liverpool. From the courtroom to the fantasy world to the wrestling ring to the birthplace of the British Invasion – Guay has written it all.

So while Liar, Liar may be his most recognizable effort, Guay’s well-rounded career makes him an ideal choice to mentor for Film Connection. When it comes to working behind the camera (or in front of a computer screen), the more you know the better off you’ll be. It’s one of the reasons Guay thinks so highly of the Film Connection curriculum.

Film Connection Mentor

“It’s an unprecedented and unequaled way to learn.”
-Paul Guay

Guay has been a mentor at Film Connection for more than six years and calls the one-on-one mentorship program we offer the best way for externs to learn the craft. Instead of a teacher at the head of the class, working directly off a syllabus, Film Connection mentors are able to assess strengths, areas that need help, and challenges that certain ideas may have.

That interpersonal touch that we feel externs benefit the most from just isn’t available in a classroom with 10, 20, or even 50 other students. Our curriculum is based on real-world experiences, not rarefied film movements and film theories. As a professional screenwriter, Paul Guay is one of the mentors that give our externs the kind of education they need to build an exciting career in the industry.