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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Mike Dean
An interview with screenwriter Mike Dean regarding the Three Lines Or Less Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: The Dude. When a young couple finds the honeymoon dream spot that fits their budget they're thrilled. Once they arrive and find out they're on location with a dating reality show, things get sticky.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: Working full time at my snoozer real world job and having a few projects going at once, the simplicity and function of this contest really caught my attention. The prizes are great as well with sponsors like Scripped, ScriptSwami, StoryPros, Script Pipeline, and Scriptoid. When surfing through Threelinesorless.com it's abundantly clear they are an empowerment to writers, not just another entry fee.
This is the first contest I've entered with this project. I've placed in contests on scripped and have gotten paid assignments as a result.
A: Yes, they couldn't have been easier to deal with. Results were timely and prizes listed were available immediately.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: I've been working on the script on and off for about 18 months, taking breaks for life (wedding), work, and other side projects. I haven't written an outline but a few drafts of a treatment. I was part of a weekly writer's group here in the city which generated a large chunk of the pages. This entry was probably the tenth or so draft over the past year.
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 switch between using Scripped Pro and Final Draft.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I think about my story everyday and write "something" three to five times per week, a few hours here and there depending on schedule. I'd love to have more time to write.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: All the time. If I'm in a time crunch I'll listen to a few songs and see how they would fit in my movie. I doubt a first timer would get a project with the Stone's Monkey Man in the soundtrack. The music though always seems to hit something in my mind that get the wheels spinning. When I'm not as rushed I fall into a imdb black hole. Pretty much every time I'll find a movie I really enjoyed and after a few clicks realize it was the writer's first project. A huge motivator.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: English writing degree from Fordham University, and 15 years in a finance job. I've always had the writing bug and acted on it a few years back with a night class at NYU. Found scripped.com in 2010 and one of their contests was the first time I submitted something. I made the first cut, and I've been plugging along since then.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I don't. I did live there right after college. I worked as a case manager assisting homeless men and women downtown transition to a self sufficient lifestyle. If things work out, it would be nice to go back and visit, but I'm a ny guy.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm still working on this project. A few other comedy script ideas in mind.
Posted Thursday, May 5, 2011
