Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Mark Kratter
An interview with screenwriter Mark Kratter regarding the Fade In Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: FADE IN - GRAND PRIZE
WHERE THE DEAD GO is an occult thriller with a hardcore horror edge -- in the vein of "Serpent And The Rainbow," but for the "Saw" generation.
Logline: "A by-the-book bioweapons expert is deployed to the war-torn Congo to investigate a suspicious outbreak of disease -- only to discover that it may be of supernatural origin."
A: A previous script, VIRAL, made it to the Top 30 in Fade In before, so I thought I'd give it another shot.
WHERE THE DEAD GO's other accolades:
Winner — Triggerstreet's Script Of The Month
2nd Place — Acclaim Screenplay Competition
3rd Place — Terror Film Festival
3rd Place — Award Winning Screenwriters Contest
Finalist — PAGE International Screenwriting Awards (out of 3,411 entries)
Finalist — Cinequest (Top Ten)
Finalist — Movie Script Contest
Semifinalist — Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
Semifinalist — Screenplay Festival
Quarterfinalist — Cinestory
Quarterfinalist — Writers On The Storm (Top 10% )
A: Although they missed some deadlines, the contest organizers were terrific about following up with me. They've offered to help in any way they can with promoting the material. Since this just happened, it's too early to speak to the other issues.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I'm told I will be receiving feedback soon. I plan to revise the script accordingly and then have my manager take it out.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Yes, I'm already receiving many requests.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have a BA & MA in English from Stanford, but also years of experience in the VC business and securities trading.
I've written quite a few other screenplays (some optioned) and produced a number of feature films as well.
Most recently, I completed a script-for-hire for Clark Peterson (who produced MONSTER with Charlize Theron). I'm also developing a high concept buddy comedy with Sean Robins and Todd Garner (who produced ANGER MANAGEMENT with Jack Nicholson).
Last but not least, I offers script consulting at www.breakthroughscripts.com, with a focus on honing screenplays to appeal to producers.
A: I've lived in LA for almost 2 years now.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I just completed another spec, ASCENDANCY, which I hope to have my manager take out soon. It's a creature/survival horror which I like to think of as "The Descent" meets "Cliffhanger."
Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2008