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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Scott Weber
An interview with screenwriter Scott Weber regarding the 20/20 Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The title is, @theStarlight
Determined to break into Hollywood, a Las Vegas film student tricks a Chippendales' wannabe to be her love interest in a series of over-the-top ''reality'' video blogs, but when ''@theStarlight'' becomes an overnight sensation and fearing world-wide interest will alert her smitten costar and expose her sham, she pushes toward an outrageous finale before it blows up in her face.
A: I entered this contest because it sounded different and I liked the cost and the way it is set up. You send in the first 20 pages of your script and if it passes all 20 points on their checklist, they ask for the rest of the script. I knew I had a great first 20 pages so I entered. It also did well in the Script Savvy contest and is a Platinum Reel Award Winner in the Nevada Film Festival. I also entered Slamdance and the Austin Film Festival, but I think that because this script is very offbeat and quirky, it didn't fare well there.
Q: Were you satisfied with the administration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: I've been very satisfied with with the folks who run this contest and I've received the agency representation they promise if your script is declared a winner.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: This script took roughly 6 months to write, but it is the result of several other scripts I've tinkered with over the last 5 years. I outline extensively. when it comes to drafts it's hard to tell. I worked through the script well over a hundred times, but that's included scene tweaking, typo checks etc.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: I outline everything in Microsoft Word. I set up a table with multiple areas for each scene, define conflict, and fill in my goals. Then I write the script with Final Draft 6. I find if I don't have the whole story and the structure laid out ahead of time, I'm just spinning my wheels writing the script with major rewrites looming ahead.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: No. I usually have 4 or 5 story ideas going on at any one time and I let them ferment in my brain until one leaps out and says "write me." Then I might write 4 to 6 hours a day and I'm usually wake up early with new ideas to add. It's frenetic until it's done.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: No. Never had it.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've written half a dozen scripts.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live in Orange County - just south of Los Angeles.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm not presently writing another script, but I have 4 story ideas I'm working with and 1 I'm outlining. It's a tough road to hoe this screenwriting path. I've gotten a lot of attention from @theStarlight and I'm taking advantage of the win to promote myself and the script. Hopefully it will get picked up and I'll be able to write full time.
Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009
