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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter L Rosenberg
An interview with screenwriter L Rosenberg regarding the Cinestory Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "UPGRADE" by Louis Rosenberg
The screenplay is a science fiction blockbuster about the future of humanity, set in the year 2058. It's best described as Orwell's 1984, only for the Internet Generation...
A: UPGRADE has been a winner in numerous contests in addition to the Grand Prize win in the Cinestory contest. It won best science fiction screenplay at the Shriekfest International Film Festival in LA, it won a gold remi award for best science fiction screenplay at the Worldfest International Film Festival in Houston, and it won best science fiction screenplay at the International Horror and Science Fiction Festival in Arizona. It was also a top ten finalist in the Page International Screenwriting awards.
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: The Cinestory contest was very well run by people who really care about the writers. They are doing this as a non-profit endeavor because they want to help discover and support new writers and it shows. Everything about this contest is genuine and honest. YES - they delivered on all the awards that were promised, as well as some awards that I didn't even expect. For example, they had team of student muscians write and perform a score for UPGRADE. I was blown away...
More than anything, CINESTORY is unlike any other contest in the CONNECTIONS YOU MAKE with industry professionals if you are a winner or a finalist. If you go to their retreat, which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND, it's an amazing experience. You spend four days with professional producers, agents, managers, and writers... You get to learn all those things they don't teach you in film school - about the real world business of film, from real people who live it every day. It's a terrific experience for new writers who are just getting into the indsutry.
A: I am new to screenwriting and UPGRADE was my first feature script. Because of this, it went slower than it probably should and took a few more drafts than it should have. I learned many things the hard way... but that's a process you just need to go through. In writing my newer screenplays, I have been far a more disciplined about outlining and doing full beat sheets before scripting. This saves lots of time on the back end.
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 used Movie Magic to write UPGRADE. I also use Final Draft to write. I think both pieces of software are great.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: Yes, I write every day...
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I have not yet really faced a serious case of writer's block. I am sure that at some point I will because it is inevitable.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I am a graduate of the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. I highly recommend the program - it's a great way to learn the craft.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live a couple hour drive outside of LA.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Yes, many new scripts.
Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009
