Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Ken Mora
An interview with screenwriter Ken Mora regarding the Screenwriters Forum Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: A Light Before The Darkness. It is a biography of the artist Caravaggio, whose works brought the faithful back to the Catholich Church at the time of the Counter Reformation.
I was intrigued not only by the drama and beauty of his work (considered by many to the the forerunner of cinematography), but by a man of whom more is know because of his criminal violence than his artistic work!
I wondered what could drive such a volitile personality? It turns out that he was gay!
Although a point of some historical contention, I think his homo-erotic style before his major church commisions speaks for itself. So my protagonist is trying to hide his secret sexual identity, all the while becoming more and more successful, yet sabotaging that success in order to shield his homosexuality, and protect his lover.
A: The promise of exposure was the big lure for the Screenwriter's Forum contest. So far I can't even get them to return a single email. They did give me prompt snail mail notification of my second place win, but nothing since.
Since then, However, I've co-won the 20/20 Screenwriting contest at lets-do-lunch.com and THAT got me WGA signatory representation and a read at Dreamworks, BBC Productions, Mark Rydell, and many other prodcos.
A: It was great to win second place, which is supposed to award me coverage of the screenplay. I've been waiting months and haven't gotten it, nor does anyone there return emails, so I don't know what's going on. So far the only value has been as resume/bio fodder.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I was told I'd get coverage for my second place win, but it never happened. They also have not responded to my emails on the subject.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: No.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've experience great success with this, my first screenplay, as far as contests and getting it read, but no sales or options. I've completed another since and am working on my third and partnering up for a fourth.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yes, I'm a native of Los Angeles, and it affords me some opportunities living elsewhere might not, but it's not the huge advatage you might think.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I've gotten the most glowing rejections imaginable from top studios and production companies. It's quite surreal not know whether to be elated or crestfallen. They all have expressed an interest in seeing future work of mine, so I'm staying optomistic.
The problem is that with a gay protagonist, they don't know that they can market or distribute what is otherwise a straight-ahead "Gladiator" meets "Lust For Life" character like Caravaggio.
I'm putting the last polish on a psycho-sexual thriller "Ms. Valkyrie" which is a sort of "Basic Instinct collides with Fargo" movie with a strong female protagonist like none seen so far. I've got two more screenplays in the works, besides.
Posted Tuesday, June 1, 2004
