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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Mike Murphy
An interview with screenwriter Mike Murphy regarding the Open Door/Script Magazine Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: This Open Door Contest was sponsored by Industry Entertainment.
The title is “Lizzie Fox.”
The logline reads: A woman journalist, determined to seek justice for a young black girl’s death, uncovers a small town’s secret.
It is basically a story about a woman who must lose it all to discover what really matters.
A: Open Door is one of the highest regarded contests in both reputation and importance. Most of the scripts that do well here also score high in other reputable contests. “Lizzie Fox” has placed high in several other contests.
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: I was extremely satisfied with this contest. All of the deadlines were meet, and I received all awards promised. As a bonus, I received a personal telephone call from Script Magazine’s Zack Gutin.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: No, I did not receive any feedback, but, I was not expecting any directly from the contest.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Yes. I have already had a script request from a New York based production company.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: Before I plunged headfirst into writing, I was a wildcatter in the oil fields of South Texas; prior to that a professional rodeo cowboy.
I wrote a comedy titled, “Hollywood, Texas,” that did well in several contests last year. “Lizzie Fox” is my third screenplay.
I also optioned a reality-TV series earlier this year to a Los Angeles production company. “Gusher” is an elimination series involving the actual drilling of oil wells. Unfortunately, the individual handling “Gusher” left that particular production company soon after the option, so “Gusher’” will soon be in turnaround and we will take it out again.
A: No, I am based in Austin, Texas, but I can leave Austin in the morning and arrive in LA by 9 AM. I’ve done it more than once.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Currently, I am working on several projects. The script I am writing now is a thriller, and I have finished an outline for another comedy. Also, a local producer wants to develop “Hollywood, Texas.”
Posted Saturday, August 20, 2005
