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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Michael Sullivan
An interview with screenwriter Michael Sullivan regarding the Scriptwriters Network Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: RED RIGHT HAND is an adventure pilot that follows a rogue secret agent type who has taken upon himself to fix the world's ills according to whatever menas he sees fit. This doesn't sit too well with most of the world's governements and he counts the CIA among his enemies. This doesn't stop him, in the pilot, from trying to recruit a CIA operative to join his organization. It's got an edgy, smart-ass tone to it. Red's the kinda guy who doesn;t just want to beat his opponent's, but to rub their noses in it as well. He's more inclined to walk in the front door of his enemy's stronghold than to sneak in (and he's got the skills to pull it off).
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: I chose to enter the Carl Sautter competition based on the track record of past winners who've gone on to write for some of my favorite television programs. Also, the Scriptwriter's Network seems to be well regarded in the scriptwriting community. I'd heard and read many good things about them and about the Carl Sautter competition.
Q: Were you satisfied with the adminstration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: The contest was very well run. I received several emails advising me of my status as I advanced from phase one to phase two to finalist phase. I even got a personal phone call from one of the organizers encouraging me to make the trip out from Illinois to attend and meet with an agent who had read the script and was interested in meeting with me.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I received a lot of good feedback that indicated that the readers actually knew what they were talking about in terms of scriptcraft and seemed to have a genuine interest inf imparting good advice...and it was good advice.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: As I mentioned earlier, I did meet with an agent from the Gersh Agency as a result of this contest and have had an ongoing relationship with him. A tough staffing season has stymied me thus far, but I'm hoping that Red Right Hand might generate some interest going into pilot season.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've written more than I care to think about. I generally avoid writing screenplays. I write to my strengths and interests and I prefer the television format (and generally prefer television over film in most cases).
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I currently do not, but would love to mkae the move. It's just currently a little easier said than done.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm always working on something. I've since completed a couple of new pilots (a mystic western called TEX ARCANA and a one-hour drama set at an Antarctic research station called THE ICE), and completed a new SHIELD spec and I'm currently working on a piece for a Chicago theatre company.
Posted Monday, June 14, 2004
