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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Kevin Sielky
An interview with screenwriter Kevin Sielky regarding the People's Pilot Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The title of the leave behind is "Detroit Central." Detroit Central is a one-hour weekly drama that explores the lives of the clinicians at Detroit Central Psychiatric Hospital, a large facility located in the heart of an impoverished area of Detroit, Michigan. The clinical therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and case managers struggle to survive within a horribly corrupt hospital bureaucracy, at a facility bordering on condemnation, engulfed by a community that doesn't care. It is inspired by my experiences working in psychiatric units and psychology research labs in and around Detroit, Michigan.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: This contest is for the "leave behind" of a show the writer has created, not for the actual pilot script itself. That is why I entered this contest. I have finished a first draft of the pilot script and I'm going through the first rewrite. I did enter an earlier version of this leave behind in another contest but it didn't place. After many changes, I entered in this contest and took first place.
Q: Were you satisfied with the adminstration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: Yes, I was completely satisfied with how the contest was run, they did a great job. They met their deadlines, and we are in the process of arranging the remaining awards. They have delivered as promised.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I ordered an extra option for feedback and it should be delivered soon.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Part of the grand prize package includes an agent and a development deal with a producer. I have been contacted by the producer to begin setting up the future of my project.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I am a licensed clinical psychotherapist and research psychologist. I have been writing part-time over the years, and began writing as a career in the past year. I have created three other television shows, and one of them was a finalist in this contest as well (Psych Ward Chronicles) and I finished the pilot script for that show. I also entered a psychological thriller screenplay in Project Greenlight. I have completed the Hollywood Film Institute Program for filmmaking and screenwriting, and been involved in a variety of positions in front of and behind the camera.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I do not live in L.A. now, but plan on moving there this year.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: My plans are to work with my agent and the producer to develop Detroit Central with the goal of it getting picked up as a weekly drama series. If it does, I want to continue writing and producing for that show. I also want to develop Psych Ward Chronicles some time after that and then go from there.
Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2004
