MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Ken Mora

An interview with screenwriter Ken Mora regarding the Century City Film Festival Writing Competition.

A: I won with my script A Light Before The Darkness. It's an action-drama that focuses on the meteoric rise, volatile life, and tragic end of Caravaggio. Caravaggio, was the artist whose works revived the Catholic Church at the time of the Counter-Reformation, and he was gay. He was driven to become powerful enough to live life as he chose, yet hounded by fear of persecution for his sexual identity.

A: You know, I almost didn't. The theme of the film festival was "Camp, Cult, Classic" and while my script was definately not the first two, it's definately a classic story-line in the tradition of Cyrano De Bergerac. Also, the contest requirements stated they were looking for great scripts in any genre, so I entered and I'm glad I did. I won representation through a previous victory in the 20/20 screenplay competition and my agent, Andy Rodman, has been able to leverage this success into current negotiations with a Dutch director who wants to spearhead the production in Europe. Cross fingers! I recently finaled in the redinkworks.com comp (top 10%) and I've had various finalist, semi and quarter-finalist successes. I'm also top three on the Zoetrope.com site for September.

A: The folks who put this on were real lovers of cinema and very enthusiastic. It wasn't glitch-free, but it was a very well run expo overall. I loved the quality of the films entered. Most very powerful, very funny, or very artfully done. It meant a lot to be in their company. The contest was run with prompt attention to deadlines and I absolutely got everything I was promised. I'll be entering this competition again with new works for sure.

A: I was forwarded the critiques of two judges which were concise and informative. Not quite coverage level, but very incisive.

A: Since the soyouwannasellascript.com "script express" querry blaster, which was part of the prize, I've had six requests, and that's been less that one week ago. I also got listings on their site and inktip.com as part of the prize package.

A: I've completed a second, which I'm whipping into shape for competitions next year, and almost finished with my third. Also, part of the prize package was a six week Writer's Boot Camp course, which I've been meaning to try anyway. That screenplay four I'm working on for that. I'm very impressed with their methodology and would highly recommend their course.

A: I live, write, and paint in L.A. there are definite advantages, but not absolute ones. These days you can get your career started anywhere and travel here when you need to. Just stay off the freeways!

A: Always. Next year will see at least two finished to the point where I can pitch them and enter them in competitions. Though the more comps I win, the fewer I qualify for since some restrict the amount of money you can have earned/won to qualify. The price of success I suppose. I can't talk about what's happening this minute in detail, but I might be close to my first option with this screenplay.

Posted Saturday, November 20, 2004