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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Dexter Williams
An interview with screenwriter Dexter Williams regarding the North American Film Awards Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "Second Dance" is a mystic drama about an American college student, haunted by recurring dreams of another time, who is shocked beyond imagination when one day she is told she's the reincarnation of a 19th-century Middle Eastern belly dancer. With the help of a spiritually-minded dance instructor, she tries to fulfill her unlikely destiny as one of the best belly dancers in the world.
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 the North American Film Awards because every entry gets at least an award nomination. That sounded great to me. I was extremely honored and humbled when "Second Dance" became the recipient of the Special Jury Award, the contest's highest award. "Second Dance" has also won the Best Feature Script award at the Indie Visions Film Festival. It has also been named an Official Selection in the Oaxaca Filmfest (where it was nominated for Best Overall Script), the Sacramento International Film Festival, and the Cindependent Film Festival. And it was a Semi-Finalist in the Los Angeles Cinefest.
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 was very satisfied with NAFA's administration. They answered all my questions in a professional manner, and they met their deadlines.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: It took me just three-and-a-half weeks to finish the first draft of "Second Dance". I didn't write an outline prior to writing the script. It took me just three drafts to make the script as great as it can be.
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 use WriterDuet on all of my scripts, including "Second Dance". I don't use anything else.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I take an hour or two per day on my scripts. I write on most days, since I have a job.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I have not had writer's block in a long time. I've been very blessed with the gift of writing, and I love sharing it with the world.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I've written fifteen feature film scripts and fifteen short film scripts. Five of my feature scripts have been optioned, and a couple of them will soon be in development.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I reside in Durham, North Carolina. I have family and employment there. I love it here, and I have no intention of moving to Los Angeles. But I would love to visit there one day.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: My next project will be a faith-based feature script called "Journey to Ivory Lane". It is about an unlikely interracial relationship between an African-American man recently separated from his wife and a devout Caucasian woman who helps him enjoy life again.
Posted Sunday, June 2, 2019
