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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter RT Allen
An interview with screenwriter RT Allen regarding the Spec Scriptacular Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: I entered REVELATIONS, a feature/MOW drama about a psychic child who must prove that his missing mobster father was murdered.
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 had entered TV Writer once before, years ago, and place third with a one-hour pilot. This script also just made the quarters with Slamdance. I'm also going to enter it in Scriptapalooza TV and Acclaim TV.
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: No one takes better care of you than Larry Brody (LB) at TV Writer. He truly gives writers a personal touch, and he constantly strives to make his contest and his website better. In fact, placing in his contest the first time around got me cash-hired by Steve Waterman of Waterman Entertainment (the Chipmunk movies) to write a children's feature. I highly recommend LB and his contests.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: It took several months to write. However, a script is NEVER really done. You must constantly hone it -never be satisfied with 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've always used Final Draft. Not that others aren't as good or better, I've just never tried them.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: If I'm working on a new script, it's all consuming -slow motion child birth- until it's done. When it's done, the business of improving it and promoting it takes several hours a day.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I did years ago, just starting out. However, I've trained writer's block out of my system. Writer's block is a dead end room, an escape to avoid the pain of creativity. Prolific writers must permanently seal that room off.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I'm a Lit Major from UNC (Asheville). I've written a dozen scripts to the present. I've won (1st, 2nd, 3rd) eleven times in a variety of genres -Write Movies, Moondance (four times), Talent Scout, Maine International Film Festival, etc. My TV pilot, THE BRIDGE, was in pre-production here in Maine when the economy went south and a million dollar exec producer/investor with it.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: No I don't; although, I'd advise all writers without life's tentacles holding them down to do it. -Your odds are so much better breaking in on some level.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Always and Forever.
Posted Monday, October 1, 2012
