MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter james schlicker

An interview with screenwriter james schlicker regarding the Anything But Hollywood Writing Competition.

A: The title of the screenplay is "The Shelter" and was the winner of the 2002 competition." The story revolves around terrorists nuclear strike on the United States in the years following 9-11, and one dysfunctional family's effort to survive, entombed underground together in their own backyard.

A: I entered the Anything But Hollywood competition because they stated up-front that they were looking for stories told by writers with a fire in their belly. After reading that I knew this competition was a fit for me.

The Shelter was also a semi-finalist in The People's Picture Show competition for 2003, and was in the top 10% of the Nicholl.

A: I don't recall if there was a specific deadline for announcement of winners, but I received my cash award very promptly after I was announced the winner. I have been very satisfied with Antyhing But Hollywood's administration.

A: If you call having my script optioned and going into pre-production, feedback by the competition, then it has been very helpful toward my career goals.

A: I optioned the script to Anything But Hollywood shortly after winning the competition. I was contacted by several other production companies after the script had gone into development, including a producer connected with Steven Spielberg.

A: My background is in law enforcement and private investigation. Writing was always something that seem to come natural to me, so when I had the opportunity, I began to write.

I have six other completed screenplays with two others in progress at this time.

A: I live in the Atlanta area and have no present plans to move, but also have no problem with commuting if necessary.

A: I'm working on two new scripts at the present time:

A crime/thriller titled, "Mirrored," and a heavy drama titled, "One Life."

Posted Monday, December 15, 2003