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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Matt Billingsly
An interview with screenwriter Matt Billingsly regarding the Scriptapalooza Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: CODE NAME VEIL. Based on true events, a rookie CIA agent is thrown into the investigation of the first terrorist attacks against America - the 1983 Embassy and Marine Barracks bombings in Beirut, Lebanon, in which hundreds of Americans were killed. As he uncovers the truth about who was behind the attacks, American citizens including his mentor, the CIA Station Chief, are taken hostage, leading the Reagan Administration straight into the debacle that become known as Iran-Contra.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: A writing team I knew had entered a few years ago and won first place with a TV script they'd written. It helped them get an agent, so I thought I'd follow their example. I entered five or six other contests, was rejected outright by two, and made it to the Semi-Finals or Finals in the others.
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: Sort of, yes and yes. Once the winners were announced it was difficult to find out who had requested the script, who was reading it, etc. The powers-that-be at Scriptapalooza kept their cards pretty close to the vest, which was frustrating.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: The contest has definitely helped. I got some phone calls and emails from some agents and managers, and signed with Industry Entertainment for representation.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: This was my fifth or sixth screenplay. It was the most difficult and ambitious project I've tackled, but it was the right time for me to take a creative leap.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I do. I'd recommend that anyone who is interested in writing for film or TV move to LA and get a job in the industry. It's the best way to meet people, and if you're not meeting people, what is already a Herculean task, breaking into the business, becomes nearly impossible.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm currently working on a new spec, what I hope will be DIE HARD for the post-9/11 era.
Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008
