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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Shequeta Smith
An interview with screenwriter Shequeta Smith regarding the Cosby Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: It's called "Divorcing My Dad" and is about a ten year old boy who decides to take his deadbeat dad to court after he misses another father-son day. Kind of a more dramatic version of "Liar Liar" with comedy sprinkled in here and there.
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've known about this contest for years. Took some time off from submitting to get a few more scripts done. Decided to submit the script after getting a lot of compliments on it from other writers, producers, etc.
I also entered this script into Tribeca All Access this year and was a finalist with it there as well.
A: Yes, so far things have been great. Having a lot of fun in the program and I'm working on what is turning out to be a really great script.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: Yes, there was coverage that was provided to all participants that was included with our acceptance letter. Also, the teacher of the class portion of the program read and gave me feedback on the script. It's all been helpful.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: I haven't been contacted by any agents or managers as of yet but they are all aware of the program and will talk to me a little easier now. I have a few people waiting to read the script I'm working on in the program so that's really been motivating me to buckle down and complete the script.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: Wow my background. Well I started off working for a bunch of reality shows when I first moved here. Then I worked as a PA on Everybody Hates Chris the first season. I've written 9 feature length specs and about 6 tv specs. Mostly comedy although I've written in pretty much every genre. I'm actually working on a drama spec right now in the Cosby program.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yep, I'm a valley girl! However, I was born and raised in North Carolina so I'm a country girl too.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Next? Hopefully great things...like maybe to sell one or two specs by the end of the year. I was just a participant in the NAMIC Writer's Workshop which was a fantastic experience. I'm fundraising to shoot my first short film "The J.H. Gunn Project" this coming summer.
I'm almost finished with the script I'm working on in the Cosby Program. Right after that, I plan to jump into my next feature which is this outrageous comedy I'm super anxious to write. I pretty much have that outlined and ready to go. I also plan to write a spec of the tv show "How I Met Your Mother." I love that show!
Posted Thursday, April 17, 2008
