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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Brian Smith
An interview with screenwriter Brian Smith regarding the ScriptVamp/Attention Grabber Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The script is called "Hallow's Point." On a weekend book tour in a quaint oceanside town, a beautiful novelist of vampire books suspects the residents are blending her fiction with reality.
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 have received tons of great reviews on the script from peers and colleagues, especially regarding the opening sequence. Plus, the contest name (ScriptVamp) was like a neon sign of inspiration considering the genre I wrote in. The script also made First place in the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Competition in the Television/Movie Script category.
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: Yes. They seem sharp and professional. Feedback was helpful and encouraging and timely. They notified us with the results as promised and I have been informed that the prize is on its way.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: The script was inspired, mapped out and written back in the mid-late 90s when the first draft was completed (and the vampire genre was considered dead). Before having my own computer became a necessity, I wrote everything by hand in spiral notebooks and typed on an electronic typewriter. I've lost count of the drafts, but the notebooks look like old parchment paper to give you an idea.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: Movie Magic Screenwriter.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I am a contemplative writer in that I live with a story, its characters and setpieces 24/7. I then map out a full treatment based on the more pronounced sequences in my head, then I fill in the blanks and draft into script format.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I usually set aside time to read fiction books, watch movies, take a long walk with the iPod or go to the gym.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have a few horror feature scripts under my belt. I have co-written a few comedies and horror scripts with a good friend of mine. Always refining and revising to keep them sharp and current.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I currently live in New York, but I have visited Los Angeles a few times and I miss it often. I would surely move there if Los Angeles welcomed me or if I won a shopping spree at Amoeba Music.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I am currently "contemplating" another script. It's amazing. I'm proud of the story. It's going to scare the crap out of you. You'll love it.
Posted Thursday, April 14, 2011
