![[PAGE]](/images/ads/page2024a.gif)
Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Surita Parmar
An interview with screenwriter Surita Parmar regarding the Canadian Short Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The script is called 'Minus Lara'. It's about a young girl browsing a department store, who comes across a seemingly magic child's synthesizer that transports her to a fantasy world reminiscent of the film 'Dr. Zhivago'. It can essentially be surmised as a brief, bittersweet, moment within a random's imagination- it attempts to be humourous through parodying the over the top elements typical of epic historical romances, but also has an emotional core.
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 had just dipped my big toe into creative writing and began entering script contests in the interest of gauging as to whether my work could stand on its own and be noticed. The parameters that competition deadlines provide added extra incentive, in that they helped me to stay disciplined during the completion and polishing process. I had heard good things about CSSC; they seemed very encouraging, personable, and supportive towards submitters, which made entering very attractive.
Minus Lara has only been entered in one other contest, where it did not place.
A: Definitely. The administrators behind CSSC are prompt, professional, and live up to their word. Which I'm sure most script competition veterans can say is quite the anomaly!
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 script was written in a day, but the polishing and tweaking process took approximately half a year. As of the present I have written three drafts.
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 largely use Celtx, which has worked well for me thus far.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I try to, but it is difficult with a full time job. On a good day I will write for several hours.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: Most definitely. I generally deal with it through taking a break from the piece I am writing and coming back to it after a period for a fresh perspective. Music is also an incredibly influential muse- I find that listening to songs that match the tone and feel of the piece I'm attempting to write works wonders in helping to resolve plot lines.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I work in architecture and have only recently began to venture into creative writing. In the past two years (since venturing into writing), I have written three feature length scripts, a handful of short scripts, and have begun to formulate a television pilot.
My first feature length script is a teen comedy-drama which has acquired a number of awards within scriptwriting competitions. The second can be summed up as a feminist version of Fight Club, and the third is a fantasy-horror script.
A: No. I was born in Alberta and have more or less settled in Toronto. I'm fundamentally a cold weather person, and am also creatively inspired by the extreme seasonal variances characteristic of most Canadian cities. For that reason, I don't plan to move to a more temperate climate any time soon.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I've started a fourth feature-length dramatic script but am holding off on finishing it, as I wish to focus on writing short stories for a time.
Posted Wednesday, June 2, 2010
