MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter CarrieAnn Lee

An interview with screenwriter CarrieAnn Lee regarding the Moondance Writing Competition.

A: The title of my comedy script is ALONE WITH HER CHOCOLATE. The idea for the story came one night, when I had left an unfrosted cake in a kitchen cupboard. I had meant to frost it the next day, but my chocolate cravings got the best of me (at two AM no less).

The main character Margerie Ann Mudd hears voices. Joan of Arc, Helen Keller, Dr. DoLittle, they all understood what we could not; and chocolate had no one to turn to until Margerie came along. Ever wonder what kind of personality a chocolate covered peanut has, or a chocolate bon bon or even a chocolate Easter bunny? Margerie becomes their savior or at least the weakest mortal for them to torment.

A: I have attended Moondance before and found it to be very supportive of new filmmakers and unproduced writers. They offer several workshops for writers and they have numerous award categories to cover multiple genres and age groups. The festival is held at a park that backs up to the mountains and it is a beautiful place. Better air and less traffic than LA!

I entered ALONE WITH HER CHOCOLATE (aka Margerie Mudd Was Chosen) in the Great Lakes FF and it took fourth place in the comedy category. It made it to the top five in the Broad Humor FF, was a finalist in the GIMME Credit screenplay contest and was a honorable mention in the Hollywood Creative Connection contest. This year, after a few alterations, it won the Starfish award for best comedy at Moondance. Last year my script LITTLE SISTERS AREN'T SO BAD won in the short script for children category.

A: The director for Moondance, Elizabeth English, is known for encouraging new writers. She often contacts them before the festival to give them a little boost of confidence. She also answers her emails. The award ceremony was held at a The Med, a Mediterranean restaurant — the ambience, the music and never-ending. hors d' oeuvres were great. Nothing was rushed and we had plenty of time to ''network.'' All of the winners received a metal star, which was crafted by a local artist.

The only thing I found a little difficult about this contest was the $50 charge for all the classes and panels — a little pricey for me. We also had to pay to attend our own awards ceremony.

A: Ms. English shared a little something about each winner and the story they submitted, when she announced their award. It was a nice little publicity boost for us. She tried to make herself available whenever she could. She helped those that needed it, to come up with a much more snazzy logline for their script.

A: I met several filmmakers there. Two of which, asked for my story. One is I seriously considering one of my shorts.

A: I guess you could say that I am a seasoned amateur. Since my first visit to Moondance in 2002, I have written twelve screenplays. FINAL AUDITION, my first script, made it into the finals in 2002, and TWICE UPON A TIME won in the MOW category in 2004. Then I wrote ALONE WITH HER CHOCOLATE (aka Margerie Mudd Was Chosen), WAITING FOR MR. GODFREY, LITTLE SISTERS AREN'T SO BAD, AN ELEPHANT IN THE CLOSET, NO MORE SPIDERS, RAG DOLL, THE YELLOW BALLOON, THE EVIL SKIRT, AND MOTHER WILL BE SO PLEASED. Nine of which, have placed in contests. One, just made it into the finals and the other, I am still tinkering with.

A: I don't live in LA, but thanks to my helicopter pilot daughter, I can swoop into town anytime. LA is a great little town, but I am too attached to my green grass, scores of lakes, rivers, and of course, the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in the Northwest.

A: Right now I am getting everything ready to produce one of my short scripts. It takes place at a hospital, and fortunately for me, I work at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, WA. They are allowing me to film there (graveyard shift).

Now that things are finally happening for me, I can retire as a screenplay contest junkie. Wu-who!

Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2008