Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Lois Wickstrom
An interview with screenwriter Lois Wickstrom regarding the Wildsound Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Jack's Mermaid Before he was born, Jack's mother promised the Magic Man her firstborn child on his 7th birthday, in trade for a kidney. Jack is now 7. When the Magic Man comes to collect, Jack's mother refuses. The Magic Man kidnaps both Jack's parents, and gives Jack a dangerous mermaid. Jack must find his parents and tame the mermaid before he becomes a merchild himself.
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 entered this contest because the WildSound contest gives feedback with every entry. I have entered another contest with this script. The reviewer at that contest didn't like the story at all.
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: Yes, they met their deadlines and they did the reading as promised.
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've been working on this script for years. I'm working on another rewrite on Jack's Mermaid right now. I wrote a 15 page outline, based on Save the Cat and My Story Can Beat Up Your Story. I'm working on at least the 10th draft right now. I've lost count.
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 used CELTX to write this script. I also use Word Perfect.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I write almost every day. When I write, it usually lasts 2 or 3 hours.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: No, I never get Writer's Block. I always have more ideas than I have time and energy to write.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I'm the author of the It's Chemical video series, which is a sit-com that teaches beginning chemistry. I'm the author and actress in the Imagenie videos on YouTube. I'm co-author with Jean Lorrah of Coal for Christmas which won the Gold Remi for family filmscripts at Worldfest last year. I'm co-author with Jean Lorrah of Pop-Up Kids which has been a finalist in several contests.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live in Pennsylvania and have no plans to move.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm working on a rewrite of Jack's Mermaid. I'm also working on my 2nd draft of Bad Luck Game, and I'm plotting Affluenza.
Posted Friday, August 8, 2014
