Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Mya Benson
An interview with screenwriter Mya Benson 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 The Snowball Effect. It's about a single and successful guy in his prime, who's searching for the perfect woman to fall in love with. He even drafts a crazy list full of impossible qualities she must possess inside and out. He stops at nothing in his search: after going on one horrible date after another, one in which he is nearly killed, he finally finds a beautiful woman who astonishes him, as she charmingly fulfills his list.
However, just as he is about to propose to her, she introduces him to her beloved white pooch named Snowball. As soon as the dog lays eyes on him, it's apparent the dog hates him. Snowball is a real force to be reckoned with because he is abnormally brilliant in his adopted purpose of ruining our guy's life.
Seeing as he went through so much to find his perfect woman, it won't be easy for him to just walk away, despite what Snowball will eventually put him through.
A: The report card for every entrant and the appeal of seducing a reader with the first ten pages of a script is what made me want to enter.
It's done well in other contests: Finalist in The Screenplay Search competition, Quarterfinalist in StoryPros, and Honorable Mention in ScriptVamp's Attention Grabber.
A: I was very satisfied with the administration of this contest. It runs very fast and timely. I will receive the prizes in just a few weeks.
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 first draft was completed anywhere from 3 to 6 months. I am a fan of the Outline. They're not only roadmaps for my scripts, but they get me all ginned up for when it's time to spill all the ideas in my head onto my script that I held during the outline phase. As for drafts, it's been at least seven.
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 initially used Final Draft, but lately I've been using Movie Outline.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: When I am excited about an idea I will write every day until the first draft is complete. During the rewrite phase, I tend to cool off, and will write 2 or more hours one day and none the next.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I have gotten writer's block, though not often. I leave the project alone and think about it as I pace around a room or do some chore. Then, when the answer hits me, I jump right back on my laptop. Sometimes, I'll sleep on it and wake up the next day with a new direction for a scene.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have written my own episodes for existing television shows, and early drafts of another feature comedy called All That Glitters.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yes, I live in L.A.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I have this idea for a Holloween script for TV. It will be aimed for kids. I'm going to make it as cute and funny as possible. I'm also going back to school to get an MFA in screenwriting. Who knows what ideas will pop up out of that.;)
Posted Thursday, April 14, 2011
