![[PAGE]](/images/ads/page2024a.gif)
Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Eric Carlson
An interview with screenwriter Eric Carlson regarding the IFFF Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: True North. In the summer of 1972, a hard charging World War II vet, after many years in the Merchant Marine, roars home on his Harley Davidson to spend the summer with his intellectual 16 year old son. It's Easy Rider meets Father Knows Best.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: I think the theme of family caught my attention. True North is a coming of age story and would be a very appropriate family film. In other contests, True North was a finalist in the 2006 Virginia Screenplay Competition, Honorable Mention in both the 2007 Filmmakers International (top 30) and the 2008 A Feeding Frenzy contest, Semi-finalist in both Scriptapalooza and Anything but Hollywood, and Quarterfinalist in the American Screenwriting Association competition.
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: I attended the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood back in February, and I really enjoyed the experience. Before the screenplay awards ceremony, a scene from True North was performed by a great group of actors. It was thrilling to see my words come to life. The organizers of the festival, Chris Shoemaker and Suzanne Shoemaker, were truly gracious hosts who were supported by a great team!
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: There was no feedback for this contest, but winning was the best feedback I could have received!
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I have a director interested in shooting the film, and we are currently seeking funding.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have the perfect screenwriting background - an Industrial Management degree and MBA! But I have traveled the world, and my various life experiences give me some unique perspectives as I create my stories. I have written several screenplays, including my newest titled The Swing King - a fictional story about a big band leader who gets trapped behind German lines during the Battle of the Bulge. It is an ensemble piece with six main characters who must overcome personal prejudices and conflicting agendas to survive and return to American lines. My screenplay Magic Al and the Mind Factory, based on characters created for a childrens story, was produced in 1998 as a direct to video. You can see that credit on IMDB.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I currently reside in Virginia, but would relocate for a good writing opportunity.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I am working on a new script with the 1969 moon landing as backdrop to the story - a roadtrip with a father and his two sons.
Posted Thursday, June 5, 2008
