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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Francisco Castro
An interview with screenwriter Francisco Castro regarding the Big Bear Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: DEAD LEGENDS won third place.
The spy version of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, it's a gritty character-driven story about FBI spyhunters tracking down a Cold War relic out to buy top secret information from a disgruntled military scientist.
A: I heard good things about the Big Bear Film Festival and their screenplay competition. It's run by good people, not to mention Big Bear Lake is flat out beautiful country.
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: Very satisfied. They met all their deadlines. Sandy Steers, the Screenwriting Coordinator, was enormously helpful. The atmosphere at the festival was friendly and down-to-earth. Everyone, even the special guests like Laszlo Kovacs, was accessible.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: This was the most satisfying part of the screenwriting contests. I got all the score sheets from the judges with their notes and criticisms. At least 8 pages! It was clear what worked with the script and what need a polish. I wished more contests would do this.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Yes! It really sets the script above others. I got DEAD LEGENDS into several production companies because of the Big Bear Film Festival.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I wrote on staff for the hit TV show, WITHOUT A TRACE, and wrote the episode, "In Extremis". That got me a Humanitas Nomination. My political thriller, THE JACOB PROJECT, was a finalist at the Anything But Hollywood Screenplay Contest. My dramatic comedy, OL'DOGS, was a finalist at Slamdance. At Screamfest, I won Best Screenplay with my creature feature, DESOLATE. And at PilotQuest, my dramatic comedy, GHOSTTOWN USA, won best pilot.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yes. I moved here for grad school at LMU.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm focusing my efforts on finding financing for DEAD LEGENDS. It's a great low-budget project like NARC or RESEVOIR DOGS. I'm producing it with my partners, Jennifer Corey and Charles Howard, at UNSUB Productions. The director, Barrett Tripp, had his LMU thesis film screened at Sundance and is directing commercials. Thanks to our casting director, Joseph Lorenzo, we're excited to have committments from James Caan, Michael Rapaport, Andre Braugher, and Kelly Hu.
Posted Friday, August 19, 2005
