MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Michelle Muldoon

An interview with screenwriter Michelle Muldoon regarding the Action On Film Writing Competition.

A: DARKNESS KNOWS THE NIGHT is similar to the Bond series. Actually, it's the female Bond, focusing on a character very much inspired by James. Her name is Alex Sinjen-Smythe. Her last name was inspired by an alias used by Bond in A View To A Kill. She is smart, sexy, sarcastic and just as emotionally damaged as he is. This script plays on the fears around the current global oil crisis. Alex must infiltrate the Saudi Aramco offices to uncover what she thinks is a plot to kill diplomats but in reality, is tied into a joint Saudi/Russian plot to control the market. I like to write scripts where my characters get to drive, fly, shoot and bomb and that's all in Alex's repertoire. The title is taken from an ancient Arab proverb. The screenplay is littered with them. It became a game for me to see how I could hide them within the dialogue.

A: Action On Film had such a dynamic website when I first took a look at the contest. I really enjoyed the idea that it was geared for people who want to take action with their career, as well as loaded with action oriented stories. It really spoke to the kind of stories I like to write. DARKNESS was named to the StoryPros Awards Contest semi-final round and The Page International QuarterFinal round. I received a very kind note from Page saying it went to a tie breaker before the script just missed out on the SemiFinal list. I've just received notice that DARKNESS has made the final round at the Cinema City International Film Festival in October. It was also accepted, last year, into The Final Draught Script Reading series in Vancouver and the reception was very encouraging.

A: I cannot rave enough about the people at AOF. Del Weston and his fellow organizers are incredible! Not only did I receive regular communications, but they also arranged for some of the scripts to receive a staged scene reading, filmed, and exhibited during the Film Festival. I had a chance to see and hear my script title, name and words on screen. It was really an incredible experience. They also had a banquet just for the writers. Now, honestly, how cool is that?

A: I was given very positive reinforcement but no actual printed feedback. However, none was ever promised to that was fine by me. What they did was make me feel welcomed into the Film Festival community and inspired me to enter more contests with this particular script. I loved this festival and hope to be accepted back next year. The whole week was fabulous.

A: I have not been contacted by any of the above but it has helped when I contact them. Also, AOF is accepted by imdb as a larger festival and the award is recognized on that site. I think it's still too early to evaluate how this award will help me in the long run.

A: I have three other screenplays out on the Contest Circuit. One of them, QUEEN FOR A DAY, is in the second round at Slamdance and another, WHEN DUTY CALLS, was a top ten drama at the StoryPros contest. I have two others I consider to be in various states of mis-management. In other words, re-write, rewrite, rewrite. I came late to screenplays, starting first with short fiction. Everything I know, I learned through Pilar Alessandra at On The Page Script Consulting and Screenwriting Classes. She was a godsend when I made the switch to screenplays. I've been working with her for just under 2 years and I think, the process she's taken me through is really paying off.

A: I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada. While Vancouver is a great production city, we are mostly known as a service center for American productions. I love this town and it's only a 2 1/2 hour flight to LA. I would live in LA if it was feasible but it isn't at this time. In a perfect world, I would be splitting my time between both cities.

A: I'm finishing rewrites on two thrillers and planning to return to a comedy script after that. My goal is to get the rewrites and the first draft done by the end of the year. I like to set aggressive goals and go after them. I already have a production company interested in reading the new comedy so I'd better meet my deadlines! I'm planning on attending the Cinema City International Film Festival in September and then on to the Austin Film Fest's Writer's Conference in October. I'll submit one of the thrillers to Final Draught to see if I'm on the right route with it. I will continue to write, continue to meet people and continue to approach producers to read my material. I think that's all you can do.

Posted Wednesday, September 3, 2008