Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter John Alarid
An interview with screenwriter John Alarid regarding the California Independent Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: A KODAK MOMENT is a “what if” conspiracy thriller about a fiery young woman relegated to writing obits for the Dallas Morning News who sees the faces of JFK's five assassins on a forty-year-old roll of film. When a NSA Agent learns of the film's existence, the U.S. Attorney General authorizes deadly force to prevent the photos' publication.
A KODAK MOMENT is a story about a relationship turned inside out after former lovers discover that JFK was assassinated because of a UFO that crashed off the coast of Cuba.
A KODAK MOMENT is so overwhelming it will force you to rethink everything you thought you knew about the JFK assassination.
A: To be honest with you it was a flute. I saw the posting and thought, why not?
I have entered A KODAK MOMENT in several other competitions and have gotten all sorts of mixed results. It made the semifinals at Moondance Film Festival and the Writer's Network. But it didn't place in the Austin Film Festival, Fade-In Magazine, American Screenwritings Assocation or a half dozen other competitions it was entered in.
A: I was very satified. The California Independent Film Festival were very professional in the way they handled their competition.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Unfortunately, there wasn't any feedback.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Unfortunately, I haven't had any one knocking down the door to get my script. Although, I did have a producer/director of one of the feature films nominated request my script. I haven't heard back yet.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I am a Golden Mike and Emmy Award winning Editor for NBC in Burbank,
California. I have written six screenplays and one manuscript. My last three scripts placed in a variety of the screenwriting competitions ranging from Finalist in the 2003 California Independent Film Festival, Semifinalist in the Moondance Film Festival & Writer’s Network competitions, and Quarterfinalist in the Austin Film Festival and Fade-In competitions.
A: I live and work in beautiful downtown Burbank.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I just completed writing my sixth script. AND SO IT IS – a dramatic supernatural thriller about a 9/11-widowed father who regains his faith when he discovers that his prayers create instant results. He agrees to participate in a CIA project that studies paranormal abilities and discovers that he’s been recruited into a top-secret new age psychic hit squad that uses prayer as a means to kill and destroy. TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL meets THE FURY.
Posted Monday, December 15, 2003
