MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Gary Goldstein

An interview with screenwriter Gary Goldstein regarding the One in Ten Writing Competition.

A: It's called "Three Grooms and a Bride" and it's a comedy about a gay male couple and their straight best friends who plan a double wedding, with unexpected complications. It's based on a stage play I wrote that had a very successful run here in L.A. during the summer of 2002.

A: The One in Ten Screenplay Competition awards excellence in gay-themed material so, given the story, it seemed like the ideal contest to enter. Though the script takes a pretty "mainstream" approach to the subject matter, I felt its strong and positive portrayal of gay characters would appeal to the One in Ten judges. I have not entered any other contests yet with it, but hope to.

A: Yes, they were extremely well-organized and professional. And I did receive all the promised awards, right on time (except for that Porsche Boxster, don't know what happened to that!).

A: Along with the prize packet, they sent very detailed and positive coverage. It's always helpful and gratifying when readers "get" what you were going for in your screenplay.

A: I've had a number of requests for the script so far, in the short time since the contest win has been announced. As the script can be made as a big studio star vehicle (like "My Best Friend's Wedding") or a well-cast, independent ensemble (like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), I am continuing to pursue both avenues for production. Certainly, winning a national screenwriting contest can only add to the perception and viability of what is already, I think, quite a timely and commercial script.

A: I have written many other screenplays, as well as stage plays and TV scripts. I wrote a broad, Jim Carrey-type comedy called "Manhattan Transfer" that was in development at 20th Century Fox. My romantic comedy "If You Only Knew" was produced a few years ago by Eternity Pictures and starred Johnathon Schaech, Alison Eastwood, and James LeGros. It shows all the time now on HBO and Showtime and has done quite well on DVD. Another stage play of mine called "Parental Discretion" was optioned by Warner Bros TV and I wrote several half-hour pilot versions for them. Jennifer Aniston was attached to it as executive producer. I also have a number of other screenplays, mostly comedies, in various stages of option and development.

A: Yes, I live in Los Angeles, though I'm originally from New York.

A: I'm working on a number of projects at the moment. I've just finished a new screenplay called "The Perfect Fit," which is a comedy about a blue-collar construction worker from Queens who ends up working as a personal shopper at a posh Madison Avenue womens' clothing boutique. It's kind of "Shampoo" meets "Moonstruck," very sexy and funny. I also just finished writing a biographical, one-woman show for veteran TV and stage actress Mariette Hartley. We're planning to mount a production of it on the L.A. stage later this year.

Posted Thursday, January 8, 2004