An interview with screenwriter Paul Byrne regarding the Hollywood Scriptwriting Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Title of my script is BLOOD TRAIL. The story is about a troubled homicide cop who must team up with his estranged father to stop a serial killer who mysteriously resurfaces after 30 years.
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've actually entered H.S.I.'s screenplay contest on five separate occasions - four of my script entries were winners. My script BLOOD TRAIL was also a finalist in three other contests - The Writers' Foundation, All Access and Little Lip Production's Desk Film Project.
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: The Hollywood Scriptwriting Institute lives up to its promises. My winning script announcement was posted on Moviebytes and the script's logline/synopsis were listed on Inktips.com.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Feedback is provided for every entry. The organizer, Donna Lee, aknowledges positive points of a script, as well as offers tips on how to improve a story.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: H.S.I. provided me the names of two producers who who were willing to read my script. One of the producers passed and the other is still considering it.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: My day job is an accountant for a public housing authority in Maryland. My B.A., though, is in Film Studies from the University of Oklahoma. I have six other completed scripts which range from period pieces to edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live on the east coast. I don't have any plans to move to L.A., but I'm not ruling it out either.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Currently I'm polishing up an action/adventure which deals with reincarnation and a blood vendetta. In addition, I used a script blaster service to market BLOOD TRAIL and have received several requests from producers. Hopefully, one of those requests will lead to an option or sale.