![[PAGE]](/images/ads/page2024a.gif)
Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Patrick Andrew O'Connor
An interview with screenwriter Patrick Andrew O'Connor regarding the Scriptapalooza Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Don Juan. It's a more accurate portrayal of the Don Juan legend than what we saw in that Johnny Depp movie from a few years back. Basically, Don Juan is the self-proclaimed greatest lover in the world...until he falls for the one woman who can actually resist his charms. She also happens to be the daughter of Juan's sworn enemy. So needless to say, complications ensue.
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 entered Scriptapalooza because of its name recognition. I haven't entered Don Juan in anything else.
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: Yes. Everything was great. I received the prize. And obviously the judges received my bribes because they picked my script as the winner.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Yes. Obviously as a period piece, Don Juan will be a hard sell. But with the success of the Zorro movie a few years back, and the upcoming sequel, I feel there is a market for Don Juan. He is the most popular character in the history of world literature. And I think women would go see this movie for the love story, while the men would go for the action scenes. The greatest compliment I received on the script was that it reminded people of Pirates Of The Carribbean. That is one of my favorite movies so I was excited to hear that.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I was contacted by lots of people but I already had a great manager. The script did lead to some paid work at Disney. It's also hooked me up with a few producers who I am now working with on a spec script that we will be going out with in the next few weeks.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I started writing when I was 20, in my final year of college. I've written a total of 9 scripts, all feature length. I also work at a Los Angeles area TV station as a newswriter, and I've won three APTRA awards and one Golden Mike.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yes, basically a native Southern California boy. I currently live in Studio City.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Yes. Finishing up the project for Disney and also working on a spec script for a Prod. company. Another spec script I finished earlier this summer is about to make the rounds too. So hopefully, someone will like what I've written so I can continue my career.
Posted Monday, September 19, 2005
