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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter valerie marcucci
An interview with screenwriter valerie marcucci 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 title is The Human Element. The story involves human trafficking and the missing element of humanity in this seedy business. It's a dark subject, no doubt, but my script includes the elements of family loyalty and love that will lift the reader (movie goer) out of the murkiness.
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 liked that Attention Grabber focused on the first ten pages and gave feedback. If there's truth to the fact that the first five or ten pages are crucial, I wanted to test the metal of my first ten. So this was the perfect contest for me. I've entered others, but the results are not due out until 2012.
A side note: I've read plenty of negative comments about other contests, but have yet to see any on ScriptVamp. I researched prior to entering and this appeared to be a legitimate contest.
A: The administration was awesome. And I say that in complete honesty, not because I won. They met their deadlines, sent feedback as promised and I received awards as promised. Very professional in my opinion. One note on the feedback...the reader provided useful criticism, not mean, as well as positive comments that were not flowery. The comments helped me improve my entire script, not just the first ten pages. Thank you ScriptVamp!
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: I wrote the first draft in about a month. I spent two months polishing. I don't use outlines. When a story hits I eat, sleep and write it until FADE OUT. I wrote maybe three drafts before I was satisfied with the results. Although, I still wake up in the middle of the night with an idea on how to improve the story.
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 started out using Microsoft Word. What a pain! I now use Movie Magic and love it.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I write or edit or read what I write every day. Since I have a day job to pay the bills, during the week I usually only write at night for a couple of hours. On the weekends I spend as much time possible writing.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: No, not writers block so much as not liking where my story is going or how a certain segment turned out. When that happens I go for a 4-5 mile run. I get my best ideas when running. Must be the pain.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I started seriously writing a few years ago. I wrote a couple novels, cheesy sci-fi love stories, and two scripts. Nothing published or produced. The Human Element is the first work I felt was worthy of exposing to the public.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Not even close. I currently reside in Alabama. Originally from Chicago. Go figure. I don't know if I'd want to live in LA, but if the circumstances were right I would certainly consider moving in that direction.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I hope to send The Human Element off to the right people, once I determine who they are. I'm working on two scripts and have four or five more concepts, in various genres, I'm tossing about.
Posted Saturday, October 29, 2011
