MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Bernie DeLeo

An interview with screenwriter Bernie DeLeo regarding the Set in Philadelphia Writing Competition.

A: My script is called "QUEENS FOR A DAY", and it's a comedy a la "The Full Monty" and "The Birdcage" about the famed Philadelphia Mummers (Philly's working-class holds their version of Mardi Gras New Year's Day, culminating in a big show at the Civic Center, where neighborhood "brigades" compete with gigantic lavish four-minute Broadway musicals). In my story, the Italian leader of a brigade is struck with leukemia months before Mummers Day -- and must get a bone marrow transplant to make it to the next contest and beyond. And the only match is his estranged son whom he kicked out of the house at 18 when the son came out of the closet. The son comes back to help his bigoted dad, seeing this as his last shot at reconciliation -- and he's determined to help his father make it to and win the contest. He recruits his drag-queen-choreographer boyfriend who "queer-eyes" a motley crew of overweight mooks into high-strutting drag queens. And as everyone embraces their "inner female", their lives are transformed for the better.

A: I entered this contest because the prime criterion was that a majority of the script had to be able to be shot in Philadelphia -- and 85% of my script takes place there. And as the Mummers is a 150+ year old institution in the City of Brotherly Love, I thought I had a good shot at winning, making it so Philly-specific.

A: The contest administration was fantastic. They met the deadlines, contacted me promptly -- and feted me at a big press conference at the Philadelphia Film Festival where I received the $10,000 prize from Oscar-winning writer-director Curtis Hanson! They also provided a staged reading two days later, with a terrific crew of Philly actors, and it blew the doors off the place. That was incredibly validating.

A: Feedback was all positive, especially from the reading. The two biggest compliments I received were that people thought it had to have been written by a gay man and I was asked repeatedly "so where'd you grow up in Philadelphia?" I'm straight and happily married with two kids, and I've never lived in Philadelphia. I was very happy to hear that I'd gotten those two important elements very right.

A: Thanks to this contest, one of the judges, a longtime NY independent film producer, is optioning the script and trying to put it together!

A: I'm a former actor and playwright, and wrote for a sitcom in L.A. for one season (ABC/Disney's "LIFE'S WORK", 1996-97). I've had one film made from a script, "STRAIGHT TO YOU", a romantic comedy shot independently in Sydney Australia -- and it just had its world premiere at the Houston WorldFest this past April. I've written 11 other scripts -- some optioned, some came close to getting bought or made. And I've worked as a creative exec for a small indie film co. in New York (Filbert Steps Productions) and was Associate Producer on our Sundance Audience-Award winning film "TWO FAMILY HOUSE".

A: I commuted to L.A. during my sitcom year, then planned to move my family out for Year #2 -- but didn't get the second year job. I considered that an omen and decided to stay in New York. A year and a half ago, we left New York for suburban Washington DC (where we have family and TO give our kids a sane upbringing), and we're very happy here. So no, I do not plan to move out to L.A. -- but am always willing to hop on a plane and crash on a couch when necessary.

A: I'm working on a small noir script for my Australian film partner. I've written specs for former Hollywood agents, and got burnt out by the chase. With my Aussie directing/producing partner, we have a better shot at getting the second one made (he funded the first one) and I'd much rather see my work come to fruition onscreen than keep trying to angle for the big payday.

Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004