Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Cassandra Taylor
An interview with screenwriter cassandra taylor regarding the Almost Every T V Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The title for my spec script is "The Wire: Dangerous Liaisons".
What is it about? There are several stories going on in this spec.
* Story A has an emerging gang war between drug lord rivals, Stringer Bell and Proposition Joe Stewart. Proposition Joe has the product but not the property. Stringer has the property but not the product. They made a handshake deal that didn't fly with Stringer's incarcerated partner, Avon Barksdale. When Stringer tried to back out, Prop Joe decided to prepare for war.
* Story B involves the police detail as it uses wire taps and surveillance to get closer to two targets, The Greek, and international drug dealer, and Frank Sobotka, a dockworker tired of watching the ships not come to the docks. To make ends meet for his union brothers, and to have the money to grease palms in Congress, he steals from the ships. This puts him in touch with The Greek, who wants things stolen from the ships. Ultimately, Frank is in over his head and when his son accidentally steals the wrong container, it leads to tragic results for Frank.
* Story C involves the character Omar, a thug who rips off drug dealers. His boyfriend was brutally murdered by Stringer Bell's crew and his sole purpose in life is to take Stringer down. Omar is able to get closer to his goal when a bit of dumb luck gives him insider information on the murder Stringer ordered against Avon's nephew without Avon's knowledge. Omar seizes upon this information to make a 3-tiered assault on Stringer that works surprisingly well.
A: I'm not sure why I entered this particular contest other than to say, I could still make the deadline, it was affordable, offered coverage, and the contest language was funny.
I've entered this script in several contests, and so far the results have been good. I have the 1st place award with this contest, I reached the quarterfinals in the Fade In contest, and I got a Fellowship with the 05' Cosby Screenwriting Program.
A: I have no complaints whatsoever with this contest. Thumbs up!
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: I'd like to heap some praise on Beth Danesco for providing really good coverage on the scripts I submitted. Many contests don't give you any feedback regarding why they liked the script or didn't like it and what you can do to improve the script. I really appreciate the notes I received.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Not yet, but I remain optimistic.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have a B.A. in English: Creative Writing, and a M.A. in American Culture Studies: Film/Television Studies.
I've written five finished one-hour dramas: Judging Amy, ER, Nip/Tuck, The L Word, and The Wire, and I'm just about finished with Cold Case, which I am writing in my Fellowship Program. Also, I have a finished half-hour comedy: Scrubs, which I wrote simply for the fun and challenge of trying my hand at comedy. In addition, I'm halfway through a feature, again for the fun and challenge of writing a feature spec.
A: Yes, I live in Los Angeles.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: After I finish Cold Case, I plan to start outlines and specs for Lost, The Shield, and Veronica Mars. I'm also going to make a big dent in my feature spec with the goal of having it done by Halloween.
What can I say? I love to write.
Posted Wednesday, April 27, 2005
