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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Paula Sullivan
An interview with screenwriter Paula Sullivan regarding the ASA/Gotham Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The title of my script is THE BLACK BOX, a thriller about a woman who finds out her young son is being trained as a remote viewer.
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 entered about eight contests last fall, not thinking anything would come of it, and was a semi-finalist or quarterfinalist in Jury of Peers, All Access/Soyouwannasellascript, The Writers' Place, second place in Eshay, and then first place (not grand prize winner) in ASA/Gotham.
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: ASA is an extremely worthwhile, top-notch, prestigious organization, and as soon as I became a finalist they kept me notified of everything, and so far have come through with everything they promised and more. The press, especially, has been phenomenal, because I was beseiged with requests from producers and agents.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I received very high quality notes by email of judges' notes which I have since begun to incorporate.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I received requests from some very powerful production companies and agents, plus a number of indies from all over the world.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: Years of academia and theatre. I have an MA in English, but have worked in theatre all my life. I was lucky years ago to snag the lead in the premiere of Mark Medoff's play, GUNFIGHTER, A GULF WAR TRAGEDY, and subsequently studied playwriting with him. A year ago, I was lucky again to discover Professor Andrew Horton was in my midst, here in Norman, Oklahoma. He offers encouragement, support, and consulted on THE BLACK BOX. I am polishing two other scripts, comedies-- THE DORIS DAY FAN CLUB, and SANTA RECALL, and a new thriller, still untitled, about a woman who goes to West Africa to identify the body of her friend's son, who is part of a Christian ministry.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live in Norman, Oklahoma, with my family. I figure I can fly anywhere in the world, and I can write anywhere in the world. Technology has made the world a very small place.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm working on three. Each requires a different kind of energy. Mark Medoff taught me you could do that, and I believe it keeps you working hard and keeps you from getting bored with the monotony of one set of pages.
Posted Thursday, September 23, 2004
