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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Donna Adams
An interview with screenwriter Donna Adams regarding the ScriptVamp/Feature Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: I actually have 2 screenplays that placed in the Top 5.
2nd Place (Honorable Mention) Winner in Drama with "Through Laura's Eyes" as well as 5th Place in Comedy with "Yours...Forever."
Through Laura's Eyes is the story of struggling reporter Jennifer Samson, who meets talented homeless teenager Laura Edwards. Jennifer is so inspired by Laura's drawing talents that she decides she'd like to write an article to shed a positive light on the homeless. Jennifer's boss Henry has a negative view on homeless teens and her boyfriend Brian is also not sure of the pending friendship. Laura's "protector" in the form of streetwise Steven warns Laura of not trusting anyone. Through the interview process both Jennifer and Laura come to terms with their own personal hardships and form a strong bond. In the end, the many ups and downs are all worth it when Jennifer's story (in the form of a documentary) receives an award. Jennifer's documentary is a success, but the resolution is both bittersweet and hopeful.
A: I previously entered the Attention Grabber contest at Script Vamp with another screenplay (was Honorable Mention Winner - December 2010) and was very impressed by their professionalism as well as their thorough analysis. I've entered Through Laura's Eyes in several contests/film festivals and have received great results. 3rd place Winner Screenwriter Showcase Screenwriting Contest (http://www.screenwritershowcase.com/contest.php) Finalist Sundance Table Read My Screenplay (http://www.tablereadmyscreenplay.com/#/top-100/4547294387) Finalist (Top 15) Film Shift Film Festival and Shifty Uplifty Award Winner (http://www.filmshift.org/news/) Finalist (Top 20) Great Lakes Film Festival (http://www.greatlakesfilmfest.com/Past%20Script%20Winners.htm) I'm presently a Finalist at the Charleston International Film Festival (winners to be announce May 2011) (http://www.charlestoniff.com/)
Q: Were you satisfied with the administration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: Script Vamp delivers what you expect in a timely manner! The analysis was a bit late, and in return they offered me a discount for their upcoming Shorts competition.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: Well, I wrote the first draft in 18 days in May 2010 with no outline, just an idea based on actually meeting a homeless teenager that cleaned the windshield of my car! The role of Jennifer was written for actress America Olivo (Friday 13th, Bitch Slap) as a thank you for her wealth of support and help during this writing venture I'm on! As far as other drafts, since May 2010, I've done about a half dozen rewrites (some changes have been major, some very minor)
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.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I try my best to at least get 1 to 3 hours (3 days during the week) and about 3 to 5 hours on the weekends. If it's not working directly on a screenplay, it's tossing around ideas or preparing an outline for an upcoming project.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: Writer's block...what's that? ;)
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I actually have 4 completed screenplays, with Through Laura's Eyes being the second one I wrote and have spent the most time on. My background is an online course through Writer's University in March 2010...period! It's my drive and desire that shines through on the pages I write.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: Don't live in LA, and never visited...yet!
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Right now, I'm trying to get my body of work in order in anticipation of presenting it to a couple of leads I have. Of my 4 completed scripts, only Through Laura's Eyes is satisfactory in my eyes - two others (the Attention Grabber Honorable Mention Winner "The Night Angel: Realism" as well as the 5th Place in the Comedy category "Yours...Forever") are the ones I'm reworking at the moment. I have outlines ready for about a half dozen other screenplays I'd like to work on as well as 2 tv pilots.
Posted Monday, March 14, 2011
