Interview - Cheryl McKay on The Steve & Kathy Show

Steve and Kathy recently interviewed Cheryl McKay, award winning screenwriter and author, for an inside look at her life and career. Cheryl’s works include the award winning film “The Ultimate Gift” and the screenplay and book “Never the Bride.” Guests like Cheryl add a new zing to our half hour of fun on The Steve & Kathy Show!
 
S&K: It was great having you on The Steve & Kathy Show. Why did you say “yes” to us?
Cheryl: The Steve & Kathy Show came highly recommended by friends of mine who’d been prior guests on the show.
 
Then, when I watched the sample episodes online, I saw a wonderful sense of a humor and just had to be a part of it!  It was a blast! And the people there had to be some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
 
S&K: What is your vision for your career in TV and film? Where do you want to go and why?
Cheryl: My sincere hope is to continue to work on projects that touch people’s hearts and bring about positive changes where they are needed. I also want to encourage people toward God. And I got to do that so clearly with “Never the Bride” in a comical way.
 
If I have my way, we will produce “Never the Bride,” then start on the sequel as a book first, then a movie. (The sequel is currently titled “Finally the One.”) There are other projects people have approached me about that I firmly believe in and would love to have a part in getting those types of stories out there. They all have God in there somewhere, yet have some crossover appeal, too.
 
S&K: What has been your favorite project to be a part of? Why?
Cheryl: Honestly, so far, “Never the Bride” has been my favorite. It’s a very personal story to me and it gives me a particular way to help and reach out to other people who’ve felt what I’ve felt and been where I’ve been. 
 
Naturally, working on “The Ultimate Gift” also meant a lot to me as my first feature film. I so appreciated playing a role in helping others recognize what’s truly important in life through that story.
 
S&K: You’ve been involved in various “faith-based” projects. If you could speak to the faith-based TV and film production teams and actors, what would you say to them?
Cheryl: I would encourage anyone who’s working on these types of projects to keep honing their craft and keep getting better. We have a lot of competition out there and just because a project has a faith-based angle does not mean we can ignore important factors of quality. I also would encourage anyone in a writing position to try to write crossover material that doesn’t just speak to the church.
 
S&K: What do you think the future holds for faith-based TV and films?
Cheryl: It’s hard to say. While sometimes it seems like there’s receptivity to faith-based material due to the financial success of such projects as The Passion or Facing the Giants and Fireproof, the climate most of us pitch to is not open to such stories. But thankfully, we are working for a different “Executive Producer” (a.k.a. God) who can open doors where we don’t think they’d ever possibly open.
 
S&K: Thanks, Cheryl. We enjoyed your book and we’re looking forward to the film production of “Never the Bride”!
 
Find out more about Cheryl and her latest projects at www.cherylmckay.net