MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Kristin Kirby

An interview with screenwriter Kristin Kirby regarding the Wisc. Screenwriters Writing Competition.

A: The title is STONE'S THROW, and it's a coming-of-age drama about an 18-year-old kid named Pauley who has epilepsy. He lives with his mother in a trailer park. He's smart, he's a talented artist. He doesn't have any friends, so he has kind of immersed himself in the world of this comic book he draws, where his superhero alter ego, Zandor, fights the bad guys and wins the pretty girl.

When Angie, a 22-year-old widow, moves in next door, she and Pauley strike up a friendship which then turns into deeper feelings. Pauley gets jealous when a friend of Angie's deceased husband, Scudder, shows up and tries to woo her.

Pauley also has to deal with a bully at school, who dogs him at every turn. And Pauley's mother is determined, because of his condition, to overprotect him.

Scudder's intentions toward Angie turn violent, and Pauley has to overcome his fears and turn into a real-life hero to "rescue" her. In doing so, he kind of grows up and comes to terms with his condition.

A: I entered STONE'S THROW in Wisconsin because they give lots of feedback on scripts, and they are a reputable and helpful organization.

Besides winning the 2003 WSF contest, STONE'S THROW was also Semifinalist in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, Semifinalist in Scriptapalooza, Finalist in the Pacific NW Writers contest, and made Second Round at Austin.

A: I was very pleased with the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum. They are very professional. And I got a great email from the guest judge praising my writing.

A: I found the feedback very helpful. It's great to have several people read your script, because if a majority have an issue with something in the script, it's a good idea to take a close look at why so many people don't like it.

A: I was able to get the script optioned because of winning the contest.

A: I've written about eight feature screenplays. Several of those have won or placed in contests, or have been optioned.

A: I lived in Los Angeles for awhile in the 90s, when I was trying to sell television dramas. But I've found that if you write for films you can pretty much live anywhere.

I think it's heartening that a few of my friends, who are working screenwriters, have chosen to live in Seattle. There's a great pool of talent up here.

A: I'm working on a thriller right now. I alternate between dramas and thrillers, with the occasional bumpy foray into comedy. One of these days I'll get one of those right, but for now I write where my strength is.

Posted Thursday, May 27, 2004