Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter fred perry
An interview with screenwriter fred perry regarding the PAGE International Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: FIVE DAYS IN CALCUTTA is a short comedy about an absurdly botched suicide attempt that reunites two brothers, who are polar opposites.
A: The PAGE International Screenplay Competition has an outstanding reputation, solid industry connections, and is incredibly well run. This script also won Honorable Mention in the 2012, Scriptvamp "Shorts" contest.
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: I think it's the most professionally administered competition anywhere. Period. All deadlines were met, and since it's only been ten days since the winners were announced, I haven't yet received the award$$$.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: First draft took one week to complete. No outline. Two subsequent drafts.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: Final Draft.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I write at least five/six days a week, and when on a project, will work up to ten hours per day, or until I drop, whichever comes first.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: Constantly. I go to the movies or gold prospecting. And if neither of those clears the webs, I just grind my teeth. It eventually works itsef out.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I'm a former special ed. teacher for the severely disabled. One of my feature scripts, CROSSINGS, won the 2011-2012 Filmmakers International Screenplay Competition, and was just optioned to a production company in London. I have written three other feature scripts, and one of my 2-act plays, THE ACENSION OF TWYLA POTTS, was just published by Heartland Plays.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I high-tailed it out of L.A. two years ago, and am now living happily on the central coast near San Luis Obispo.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Am currently doing a re-write on a metaphysical thriller, TERMINUS.
Posted Thursday, October 25, 2012