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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter LAURENCE GOULDBOURNE
An interview with screenwriter LAURENCE GOULDBOURNE 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 Kistulagning' or 'The Wake'. It's set in Iceland in 2010, when that unpronounceable Icelandic volcano (Eyjafiallajokull - and there should be an umlaut over the 'o'!) disrupted travel plans and flights around the world.
It's about a repressed black British tax inspector who grudgingly attends his deceased father's kistulagning and intends just to go for the day, but when the volcano disrupts his carefully laid-out plans, he has to spend three days with his estranged, off-beat step-family.
Just for the record, in Iceland, the kistulagning is a small, simple ceremony, usually held by close family members for the deceased, before the formal funeral. One of the great things about being a writer is that you often get exposed to new customs, cultures and practices.
A: I love ScriptVamp's "Attention Grabber" Contests!
Given that, as screenwriters, you are always told that your script begins with the very first word on page one, this is a wonderful way of not only honing your skills and craft in this area, but a great way also to 'roadtest' potential screenplays and get professional feedback right from the start.
I entered the first 10 pages and a two-page synopsis of 'The Kistulagning' in a UK competition in 2010; the readers liked it and gave some helpful feedback, but it wasn't placed.
A: ScriptVamp are very professional and I have been consistently impressed by their feedback, their administration and the delivery of their promises.
In an industry where, on those few (but often memorable) occasions, folks 'talk the talk', but often 'don't walk the walk', ScriptVamp is an organisation that consistently keeps its word. As a writer that's incredibly reassuring - and helps one gets into the practice of being professional.
A: I wrote the first draft of the script in about three months: it is a relatively short film (80 pages); left it; entered the first 10 pages of February 2012's ScriptVamp competition a couple of years later - and now I'm going back to rewrite it.
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 use Final Draft.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I usually write about 3 - 4 hours per day: about 5 a.m. - 7 a.m and 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. Got a busy household and have to fit in around family commitments!
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: No! Wish I did!
Always got loads of ideas - just never the time to complete them all!
One of my mentors, Charles Harris (Euroscript) once said that there's no such thing as writer's block: all that's happened is that you've mentally turned down a cul-de-sac (dead end). You just need to mentally back up and get back onto the main road again. I've always found that analogy helpful.
A: In the '90s, I was a staff writer for four seasons on Desmond's, a sit-com on Channel 4 (UK). I have a BAFTA nomination for an episode I co-wrote. I was also an uncredited writer for Chef, a BBC1 sit-com starring Lenny Henry.
More recently, I was one of the script editors for 'Meet The Adebanjos', an online sit-com which has scooped a number of comedy awards in Africa.
A: No - but would love to live out there - if not, just spend a few months there seeing at firsthand how the industry works. Another of my mentors, Professor Richard Krevolin, who is now based in L.A. is always encouraging me to come there!
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Several projects are on the go: I have just completed a short film script with a talented director and so we are looking for a producer. That was a great experience: seeing a screenplay through the eyes of a director and I learned a lot through the experience.
I am also in the midst of developing a legal procedural drama for TV and have just completed a stageplay with one of my daughters - which was a great learning experience for us both.
I'm also doing an online screenwriting course (am I allowed to mention its name? - ScreenwritingU - o.k. there I mentioned it!) where I'm learning a heck of a lot, but am a little behind (oops!).
Overall, I'm just learning every day, having fun and trying to do my best.
Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2012
