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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Michael McPherson
An interview with screenwriter Michael McPherson regarding the Shriekfest Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The name of the script is First Born. Women the world over stop having babies. Everyone believes the world is coming to an end, that God is bringing the hammer down on us all. Then there's a newborn. His name is Jobe and he is believed to be sent from God. On the other side of the tracks, another child is born. His name is Evan and he's definitely from hell. Jobe is the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, for all mankind. Evan is out to stop him anyway he can.
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 dabble in a variety of genres and Shriekfest appealed to me for its needs in sci-fi and horror. Probably too because I came in second place last year with my thriller script titled 'Thy Neighbor's Wife.' But beyond that, Denise Gossett and her staff go overboard in helping you out. They're polite, friendly, and overly-enthusiastic. You want an answer to a question, you hear back from them in less than a day. Who could ask for more?
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: Kudos to them all at Shriekfest.com is all I can say. They notified me almost immediately when the results were in, and within ten days, I received all my prize material in the mail, plus a black marble trophy! And ...a certificate I'm intending to mount on the wall and add to my growing collection!
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: No ...no general feedback. At least, not yet, only that they liked the script.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I've had three followups from producers regarding this script and it's only been a couple of weeks!
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I worked at a variety of jobs over the years. Right now I work at an Oil Sands Plant where they extract oil from sand. All my spare time goes into writing. As for scripts, I'm presently writing one on assignment. It'll be my 24th feature screenplay to date. I also have a knack for writing 'shorts.' And yes ...they all have a beginning, middle, and an end.
A: No, I don't live in LA. But, like anything else, I would have no problem moving there. If I could sell a script or two for a decent buck, I'd be there tomorrow.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I have four scripts of my own in the planning stages that I want to tackle. They range from comedy to thriller, but I am penning one on assignment right now for a prodco in the UK. I like assignment work. I find it challenging. Not as financially rewarding as I would like, but that I'm sure, comes in time.
Posted Thursday, October 28, 2004
