Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter David O'Hara
An interview with screenwriter David O'Hara regarding the Telluride Indie Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Peabody, Nevada
A tiny town has the secret to eternal life. Each year the secret becomes mor difficult to keep. this year sucks.
A: I liked the picture of Telluride in their promo. I entered it in Sundance. Got a nice letter telling me that Peabody and another script, Sam & Danny was in the running until the final twelve. I guess that's good.
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: Michael's administration was good. They met all their deadlines.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: No feed back. Don't know if any usual feed back would have been helpful. Peabody is the only one of my seven screeplays that I refuse to apply the standard formula to. It has it's own personality. Gone around and around with a few producers over this. Might be shooting myself in the foot. Who knows?
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Five producers - one agent. Figure they will find me when I sell.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I was a track coach. Had three Olympic athletes. Got into acting, then writing.
In 2003:
World-Fest Houston Platinum Award for "My Name is Murphy" episode for ER.
Finalist: Scriptapalooza TV Competition "My Name is Murphy"
Finalist: Script Magazine "Sam & Danny"
Script PIMP Recommended list "Sam & Danny"
Winner: Telluride IndieFest "Peabody, Nevada"
Semi-Finalist: Austin Film Festival "My Name is Murphy"
Semi-Finalist: Writer’s Network Screenplay Competition “My Name is Murphy
Semi-Finalist: Writer’s Network Screenplay Competition, “Sam & Danny
Semi-Finalist Sundance Institute “Sam & Danny”
Semi-Finalist Sundance Institute “Peabody, Nevada”.
A: I live in Sherman Oaks. Plan to stay.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I wrote and directed a comedy shot in Hi Def, The Mojo Cafe. It will screen at the Santa Fe Film Festival in Dec 2004.
I'm working on a re-write of a script I optioned, The Last Four Minutes. And I'm sniffing around for financing for Peabody, Nevada.
Posted Monday, November 1, 2004