ON THE RIGHT PATH

Q&A with Screenwriter Phillip Murphy ’01

By Robin Gottlieb

“I always loved watching movies, it’s my number one hobby,” remarked Phillip Murphy ’01. That’s why it’s no surprise that Murphy is now a screenwriter. In 2021 he co-wrote his first produced feature film, “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, and Antonio Banderas, which was a sequel to the 2017 action comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.”

Murphy attended Roanoke College, where he was a history major. An internship at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles inspired his interest in the entertainment industry. Eventually, Murphy partnered with his late brother, Brandon, and they sold their first screenplay in 2011. The brothers moved to Los Angeles full time, selling movie scripts and television pitches, as well as rewrite and adaptation work. Now with one blockbuster under his belt, Murphy is steadily working on a few other projects, including a horror rom-com and a thriller. In addition, he produces his weekly podcast, Camp Goodboy.

What led you to become a screenwriter?

Working as an intern at Sony Pictures was a game changer. Even though I was the “lowest man on the rung,” it was such a fun experience and planted a seed that this could be an area of work I wanted to pursue. After college, I first explored a career as an actor, but soon discovered I was not very good. I then tried improvisation, but I tended to write what I wanted to say, which is not what improv is about. This led me to stand-up comedy, which allowed me to both write and perform. I did stand-up for four years, then one day I remember watching a movie, and something about that moment inspired me to write my first screenplay. The screenplay was terrible, like all first screenplays are, but the seed that was planted in 2002 began to sprout, and I knew I was on the right path.

From where do you find your inspiration?

When you do something on a regular basis, you end up thinking that way all the time. So whether it’s watching a movie and reimagining that premise in another way or going on a bunch of bad dates and finding a premise, which I recently did, you can always find something. Also, I’m a very observational person, so once I have an idea and I’m writing it, I go to the filing cabinet in my head and there’s no shortage of details, memories, and conversations that I’ve had or heard to pull from when creating a world, character, or situation.

How has the loss of your brother, screenwriter Brandon Murphy, affected you both personally and professionally?

Brandon and I wrote together for ten years, but we had started writing separately and enjoyed it, so professionally it has been an easier transition. Personally, it has been devastating. He was not only my brother, but my best friend. However, I’ve been filled with so much gratitude that I not only had an incredibly personal, but also a very prolific, artistic relationship with him that not a lot of siblings ever get.

How has the film industry changed since COVID?

It’s harder than ever to get an original idea off the ground. That was the case even before COVID, and the pandemic enhanced it even more. Whether it’s a book, a comic, a remake, a reboot, or a sequel, there must be that built-in audience already in place. Also, gone are the days of selling a pitch or a premise and the endless development that came with that. People want scripts that are ready or as close to ready as possible, and even then, it’s still a crapshoot. It’s really forced everyone, especially writers, to up their game.

What’s your advice for pursuing a career in the film industry?

Don’t have a back-up plan, otherwise you will always have one foot out the door. You have to be all in.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time under the Mountain?

Just the entire experience. Being on my own for the first time, the more challenging curriculum, interacting with kids from all over the world, the mandatory study hall, having to do three sports. The time management that I learned at Berkshire has carried with me ever since I graduated, but the cherry on top was doing it all at this beautiful, picturesque setting. The experience as a whole was so surreal, and I will never forget it.

1995

Bradley P. Hunt colgate1399@gmail.com

Ayren Moskowitz Pfiefer writes: “Recently got together with two dear friends and classmates, Touré Folkes and Geoff Chait, both from our Class of ’95 in Redondo Beach, CA (where Geoff lives). We don’t get to see each other often as I live in San Diego and Touré lives in New Orleans, but it was great catching up.”

1996

Katie C. King katiecking@yahoo.com

Jules A. Lemire juleslemire@gmail.com

Dylan B. Mattes dylan.mattes.nyc@gmail.com

Seth J. T. Sanders sjtsanders@gmail.com

Nakia Howell-Turner writes: “It was great seeing another Bear ‘two times over’ Randi Hines ’20. We were together for Homecoming at Cornell University. I’m Cornell Class of 2000 and Randi is future Class of 2025!”

1997

Kristina Thaute Miller kthaute@yahoo.com

Matt Berritt writes: “I was appointed vice president at Endeavor in 2021.

Endeavor, formerly WME IMG, is a global leader in sports, entertainment, and fashion operating in more than 30 countries. It is the parent of a number of subsidiaries with leadership positions in their respective industries, including WME, IMG, NYFW and UFC. Collectively, Endeavor specializes in talent representation and management; brand strategy, activation and licensing; media sales and distribution; and event management. I lead media relations for Endeavor’s PR arm 160over90, where my clients include Amazon, Bose, Audi, Adidas, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hollister, Marriott, MLB, T-Mobile, Ubisoft, USA Today, Visa, and Vivino, plus spirits by Jamie Foxx and Mark Wahlberg. For nearly a decade, I’ve represented Pamela Anderson.”

Shirley Susilo writes: “After Berkshire, I attended Parsons School of Design in New York City from 1997 to 2002, earning a B.F.A. in communication design. I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta with an M.F.A. illustration degree in 2022. My thesis project from SCAD won the Red Dot Brand and

Design Award, of the international design industry. My work can be viewed at www.sushirley.com.”

1998 25th

Lauren Levin Budz lauren98@aol.com

Malinda L. Lareau mlaurenlareau@gmail.com

Jeff Soule writes: “Howdy All! Just up here in Vermont at Jay Peak, watching the rain and leaves fall. Started a new biz called Treepole—Vermont-only sustainably harvested wooden ski poles that are also plastic-free. Please take a look on YouTube and Etsy, simply search ‘Treepole.’ Please come see me here at Jay for the ski season. All the way up at Jay Peak. Peace ‘n love to the Bear family. Jeff aka Baggo.”

1999

Michael D. Gutenplan michaelgutenplan@aol.com

George S. Scoville III gscovillempp@gmail.com

2000

Matthew D. Boynton boynton_matt@yahoo.com

Sarah Scheinman Hulsey sarahscheinman@hotmail.com

2001

Shannon M. Flynn flynnshannonm@gmail.com

Peter A. Kearney, Jr. pkearneyjr@gmail.com

2002

Jaclyn Brander Marshall jbrander@gmail.com

Matthew P. Sposito matthew.sposito@gmail.com

Elizabeth Scoville writes: “I married the love of my life, Josh Doyle, in Nashville, TN, over Labor Day weekend! My older brother, George Scoville ’99, served as one of my ‘bridesmen.’ Susan and Don Morley made the trip to rejoice in our wedding celebration! I traveled to Ecuador with Mr. Morley in the summer of 2001, and he’s been a mentor to me ever since. The past few years have been busy for me as a licensed mental health clinician providing care to children, adolescents, and adults throughout the pandemic. My private practice is thriving, and I’m looking forward to bringing Josh to visit the Mountain soon!”

2003 20th

Robert Morgan Ralph robertmralph@gmail.com

Emily Eisen-Berkeley Wenner writes: “Hello Bears! We had a long, hot summer in the Hudson Valley, but we finally celebrated the dream we’ve been working on for the last five years—the opening of Lasting Joy Brewery. We’re just 45 minutes from campus in Tivoli, NY. Besides that, we took our four kids (ages 12, 10, 8, and 5) to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for a two-week RVing trip. Alex and I remember our time under the Mountain fondly. You never know what will come of romances kindled there!”

2006

Courtney J. Kollmer courtney.j.kollmer@pwc.com

Stephen W. Piatelli steve.piatelli@gmail.com

John Beebe writes: “Thank you to Berkshire School. If not for meeting my now brother-in-law Justin Hackman ’09 in the basement of Godman dormitory in 2008, I never would have met his sister, Gabrielle, my now beautiful and talented wife. We got married this past summer in the stunning vineyards of Tuscany, with both our Berkshire graduate families. Pro Vita Non Pro Schola, indeed.”

2004

Faye Abrams Klein fayevklein@gmail.com

William C. Stern wcstern1@gmail.com

Kraig D. Strong kskraigstrong@gmail.com

2005

Matthew G. Crowson matthew.g.crowson@gmail.com

Christopher Garis writes: “I’m working as editor-at-large for the London-based publishing house Vendome Press while continuing as a contributing writer for ‘Elle Decor,’ ‘The World of Interiors,’ and ‘T Magazine,’ specializing in architecture and design. I live between Milan, Italy, and Tangier, Morocco, where my partner and I have a furniture company called Casa Tosca.”