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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Michael Murphy
An interview with screenwriter Michael Murphy regarding the Worldfest - Houston Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The script is THE KNUCKLEBALLER and it's the true story of Gene Bearden. Gene was an obscure minor leaguer who overcame serious injuries from World War II to become a rookie sensation when he knuckleballed Cleveland to a shot at the 1948 pennant.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: Houston wasn't too far away from where I live, so I thought it might be nice to attend the festival if I advanced. I've entered it in other contests and it has had modest success. In 2007 it was a quarterfinalist in PAGE, Second Rounder at Austin and finalist at Red Inkworks. I did a rewrite before Houston and now it's a quarterfinalist so far at Bluecat.
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: Very much so. There was one glitch where the award wasn't at the awards dinner, but they were very nice about it and sent it to me promptly after the festival.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: There was no feedback on the script, other than the knowledge that it had won Platinum for its division.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Yes. A smaller production company saw a press release regarding the win. They read it and are now having a line producer read it to estimate a budget and possibly option the script to bring in larger production companies. We'll see.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: THE KNUCKLEBALLER is my first script. I'm currently pursuing a certificate in Feature Filmwriting through UCLA's Extension program. I'm a municipal attorney with an interest in local history; that's how I came came to research the material for the screenplay.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Currently, I live in Arkansas and have no plans to move to Los Angeles...unless someone wants to make THE KNUCKLEBALLER into a movie.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: In between my online classes through UCLA, I'm working on a sequel to THE KNUCKLEBALLER. I've got some other ideas I'd like to develop as well.
Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008
