Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Cleo Bresett
An interview with screenwriter Cleo Bresett regarding the 21st Century Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The title of my script is One of Those Nights. After saving his ex-wife's stepson from kidnappers, all private detective Zane Garrity wants is a good nights sleep. But his old school chum, Barney Zamora, now a Mexican Mafia member, has other plans. He threatens to blind Garrity and his ex-wife if he doesn't find his wife Rachel, who has booked with a million in cash and a drug shipment, by daylight. Garrity finds Rachel. But keeping her safe involves him in a bloody night of car chases and gun battles that makes him doubt he'll live to see the sunrise.
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 this contest mainly for the feedback. It was outstanding, especially at finding typos. One of Those Nights was also entered in the Red Inkworks contest which also has excellent feedback. It placed sixth out of fifty finalists.
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 very satisfied with every aspect of this contest. It was run with a great deal of professionalism.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Feedback is one of the main points of my entering any contest. 21st Century was very helpful in pointing out not only what was weak, but the strong points of my script.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I was approached by two producers who are interested in reading One of Those Nights. I'm sure my third place finish in the 21st Century Contest peaked their interest.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have always admired the hard-boiled, film noir type stories. Nine of my 11 screenplays are in that mold, with three of them featuring private detective Zane Garrity. My two other screenplays feature a family drama Cherish This Day about a Marine who returns for his father's funeral and remembers the first time he went to work with his dad. And a war drama A Heritage of Honor about the eleven Marines that were left behind at the American Embassy during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I have lived in San Antonio, Texas for 35 years. I have no plans to move to Los Angeles, but I will visit if the need arises.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Yes. I'm about to finish the first draft of a new Zane Garrity screenplay titled A Kick in the Head.
Posted Monday, October 8, 2007
