Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Joseph Calabrese
An interview with screenwriter Joseph Calabrese regarding the ScriptCommunity.com Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The Eyes of Mara has the feel of a Rudyard Kipling action/adventure tale, but with a strong supernatural twist.
In it... Swords and rifles clash in Colonial India, when military cartographer, Lt. Jonathan Harrows, discovers an ancient cave temple and unwittingly releases Hindu spirits known as Vetalas. They demonically possess Jonathan’s cruel, self-serving Captain Jones and transform him and his British troops into undead warriors. Jones kidnaps Jonathan’s fiancée, Barbara, to sacrifice her and unleash Mara, a six-armed, ancient Hindu she-demon. Vastly outnumbered and with no time for reinforcements, Jonathan leads a hard-boiled drunkard Sergeant Major, a lighthearted Punjabi guide and a few dozen Peasant Rebels, to rescue Barbara and battle the Captain’s legion before Mara is reborn and all of the British Empire falls under her will.
I feel that the Eyes of Mara has a complexity and sophistication in story and characters that are filled with a lot of tension and drama, but without sacrificing any of the pleasures of a fun filled action-adventure story. It also has received a recommend through www.scriptpimp.com.
A: I have always appreciated coverage of my work to help point out things I may have missed and/or intended but not realized effectively. Scriptcommunity.com is a new site and I appreciate what they offer.
As for other contests entered, I hope the judges at Nichols, Austin, Hollywood Intnl, Scriptapalooza, Scriptpimp and Slamdance (won 3rd, last year with my sci-fi religious thriller, Second Coming) has just as good taste as SC.
A: Yes. They sent prompt emails anouncing the closing date and when the judging was completed. I was excitied to have been named the 1st place winner. Iquickly got my prize and a nice letter congratulating me. I hope it's a good sign of things to come.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Scriptcommunity.com is, in its design, a peer review site and I got very helpful critiques so far which, as always, is appreciated. I think SC will become a big deal very soon, maybe beating out triggersteet and zoetrope. So far, I think the quality of the people on SC is above the bar.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Not yet from this contest, but I look forward to all queries forthcoming.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've been writing for the better part of two decades (off and on, but full time in the last year and a half) My background is in production, post and marketing. I teach non-linear editing and visual fx as well as screenwriting. More info on me can be found on http://www.IMDB.com
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I'm a right-coaster, just minutes from NYC. I may move out to LA, but not until I feel I have to. Right now, I'm happy in New York and as long as I have email, a cell phone and my laptop, I can write and network from anywhere.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm currently doing an assigned rewrite on a sci-fi comedy called "How Illegal is your Alien?" written by Jeff Struyck and produced by Red Rock Films in Marina Del Rey, CA. I'm excited to work with this company. Jeff's original script is very funny with some good social/political satire and I jumped at the chance to work with him. They have a great passion for the project and, not to toot my own horn, I think my rewrite will make it an even better film. Check out http://www.redrockfilms.com for more info.
Posted Friday, June 25, 2004
