Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter James Schannep
An interview with screenwriter James Schannep regarding the ScriptVamp/Attention Grabber Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: It's called "Infected" and it's a zombie script--done right. A lot of zombie movies rely on camp and rest on the fact that zombies are just plain scary. If the original "Night of the Living Dead" is still the best zombie movie, then they haven't been given their due yet. I try to do that with "Infected".
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 ScriptVamp's attention grabber because I thought the idea of a contest based solely on your first ten pages was an interesting one. I wanted to see how effective my hook was.
Yeah, I'm pushing this script through the contests with a fair amount of aggressiveness because I feel as though I've written something truly special. A lot of the contests I've entered are still in judging, but here's what I've heard back so far:
-Screenwriter Showcase 2009 (3rd Place)
-StoryPros International 2009 Semifinalist (Top 10%)
-Screenplay Search 2010 Finalist (Top 5 in horror)
-FadeInOnline 2010 Semifinalist (currently ongoing)
A: Oh yes. It's a small contest, to be sure (this was the inaugural month), but they were very professional, responded promptly via e-mail, and I've received everything that was promised.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: The first draft, less than three weeks. But I spend months researching and outlining beforehand and months refining my work afterwards. Let's just say I "started" last summer and I'll have "finished" once it goes into production.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: I use final draft. I've used my own, self created, microsoft word template in the past.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: Yes I write every day. About 1000 words. Sometimes I'll miss a day, but I never take off more than one day consecutively. I live by the philosophy that if I want to be a professional writer, then I should act like one.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: Not in the blank-page sense. But some days I know what I'm writing isn't up to my usual standard. Usually I'll make a note of it and come back to it when I edit.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have a Bachelors of Science in English Literature with a Minor in General Engineering from the US Air Force Academy. An odd degree, I'm aware, but I think my life experience adds richness to my writing.
I've written six screenplays, multiple short scripts and stories and I'm revising my novel right now. I'm as close as you can get to being a professional unpublished/unproduced writer. I'm just looking for the chink in the armor that I can break through.
A: I don't, and yes I am going to move there. But that doesn't mean I won't try marketing myself at a distance in the meantime.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Always! I don't think this is the end for "Infected" though, I'd say it's just the beginning.
Posted Sunday, May 9, 2010
