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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Mara Lesemann
An interview with screenwriter Mara Lesemann regarding the Indie Gathering Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The script is entitled "The Woman Next Door." It's about an argument between a married couple: the husband is horrified to learn that his wife voted for Bush in 2004. The afternoon takes an unexpected turn when they get a visit from their neighbor, whose husband was killed in Iraq. And yes, to paraphrase "Sullivan's Travels," there's a little sex.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: This script is a bit edgy - more so than my other scripts - and I felt that this was a perfect place to enter it.
I wrote this very recently (May of this year). I've entered a couple of other contests with it, but this is the first that I've won, and only the second to post any results.
A: I was very satisfied with the administration of the contest, and I'm looking forward to attending the festival and seminars in August.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I was not given feedback, but none was promised.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Not as yet, but I have contacted several people with the news.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've been writing for about 5 years now, and started with stage plays. I've had several one acts produced in festivals. My full-length play had a short run off-off-Broadway last July, with a positive reception.
I wrote one other short screenplay, "Escape From New Jersey," which was a semi-finalisted in the Gimme Credit Screenplay Competition.
My full-length screenplay "No Options" was a finalist in the First Glance Screenplay Competion last December under its former title, "Limited Options."
I currently study screenwriting at the New School in Manhattan.
A: No, I live in the NY area. I don't plan to move to LA full time, but I would consider splitting my time between the 2 coasts at some point in the future.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm in the middle of writing a short stage play. After that, I plan to start writing a new screenplay; it's a romantic comedy that I've been thinking about for some time.
I also have an idea for a financial thriller, which will probably be the next project after that....
Posted Wednesday, July 19, 2006
