Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Stanley Ray
An interview with screenwriter Stanley Ray regarding the Duke City Shootout Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "Under My Skin" is a horror story about a repairman that becomes infected by sticking his hand in a garbage disposal.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: The Duke City Shootout is held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I live. My writing group sort of made it a challenge for one of us to get a script selected. I wrote "Under My Skin" specifically for this contest and finished it just in time to enter. Part of winning is having the script produced, so it makes no sense to enter it elsewhere.
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: All seven winning writers got to make their films. This is done in a one week period, "under the gun" so to speak. The deadlines are built-in. "Under My Skin" won the Palm de Grease for best picture at the premiere awards ceremony. It also won best music and best art direction.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Just in the form of enthusiasm for making a horror film. It attracted a lot of talented people to the project.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I am using the finished film to market my writing. I have just started the process, so no contacts yet.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have written short stories, but I am never satisfied with my prose. I have adapted a few into short scripts, including "Under My Skin." One of them made the top twenty-five out of twelve hundred in another competition. My features are also starting to do well. Out of the seven I've written, I've made the top ten percent or better in several contests. One was a top seven finalist this year.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: The movie industry is coming to New Mexico in a big way. Several studios are under construction and the state offers generous tax incentives. I'm hoping I can stay in Albuquerque and still develope a writing career, with the occasional trip to Los Angeles.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I have a new feature started, but I'm also doing a rewrite on my top seven winner. I'd like to get another of my shorts on film in the near future.
Posted Tuesday, October 24, 2006
