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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Ken Mora
An interview with screenwriter Ken Mora regarding the 20/20 Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: My winning script's title is Magnum Farce, it's an animated spoof of Dirty Harry films. I love the parody genre of films like Airplane, Naked Gun, Scary Movie and Blazing Saddles. I wanted to be the first to marry high-energy laugh-a-minute spoof with today's amazing CG animation, but for a mature audience.
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 won at The Indie Gathering, Valley International, and scored second runner up at Beverly Hills International Film Festival, in addition to several finalist standings like WriteMovies.com, Century City Film Festival, and Red Inkworks International, and top 10% at Austin International Film Festival.
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: Absolutely, and their incisive analysis of the first 20 pages in the first round is an education in screenwriting in itself.
Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful?A: The first 20 page checklist and notes were invaluable, and upon winning we engaged in a deep conversation over the scripts visual and comedic strengths and avenues of possible improvement. I found Andy and Bonnie's input to be clear and incisive.
Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers?A: Winning the contest got me representation via the Jack Scagnetti Literary Agency. As I'm in the unique position of producing my own film, I plan to leverage Jack's contacts to secure feature funding.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I actually won this contest years ago with my script A Light Before The Darkness, a biopic of the volatile artist Caravaggio. That got me representation and an option within the first year. Unfortunately the feature never developed, but I'm still pushing it out there.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Yes, but the beauty of the 20/20 is that you can live anywhere, and if you win Screenbrokers and Jack Scagnetti will work on your behalf. As for moving out here? I've experience quite a bit of success with my four scripts, and still no sales. That's why I'm producing Magnum Farce myself, so unless your that kind of go-getter, wait until you've made a sale to come out here or move to any of the other filmmaking centers of the world.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Yes, I've optioned Charles Schlotter's Basic Instinct / Film Noir parody "Carnal Affliction" and an untitled project involving rival brothers by scribes Joan Easley and Mike Janowiak. In addition I'm developing my own spoof of Rocky films entitled "Cocky Bambino" and a script featuring James Balls in "Windbreaker."
My goal is nothing short of turning my production company Bella Fe Films into "The Pixar of PG & R" rated films.
For more information on Magnum Farce, I've established the URL MagnumFarceMovie.com
Posted Tuesday, May 5, 2009
