Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Chris Sorensen
An interview with screenwriter Chris Sorensen regarding the Free Screenplay Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: BEE TORNADO is a creature feature about a twister made up of prehistoric bees and the storm chaser/loser who has to stop it.
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 the Free Screenplay Contest last year with my script SUCKERVILLE which took second place. For me, it was a no brainer to enter again this year. The folks at Cherub have their sh*t together -- they're more organized than other, larger contests I've entered. They were also the first contest I entered BEE in. Since, I've submitted it to all the biggies, but starting out with a win from the Free Screenplay Contest was a great ego booster.
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: Administration is on their game. Last year, SUCKERVILLE was optioned just after I placed second, so I wasn't able to take advantage of the contest's networking opportunities. This year, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of this win.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: My outlines tend to be about 3-4 pages long. I also make a set piece outline that helps me make sure to keep the kid in me entertained and engaged. BEE went through about four drafts before I submitted it. I have a great network of fellow writers, directors and actors who give killer criticism. I'd have to say that most of the changes between drafts 2 and 4 were because of them.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: Tried 'em all. Final Draft is my software of choice.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I admire writers who write every day. Try as I might, I'm not one of them. I like to binge. Tonight, for instance, I'm going to stay up until at least 3am cranking out a few scenes for a play I'm writing for a theatre in Colorado. I need those marathon sessions to get to my best stuff.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I get critic's block (where my inner critic shuts things down temporarily), but never writer's block. What is it?
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: For the past ten years, I've been writing one to two plays for the Thin Air Theatre Company in Cripple Creek, Colorado. It's been a great testing ground for my writing. I've written a number of screenplays, including the horror script SUCKERVILLE which was recently optioned by Level 10 Films (producers of the new horror film SMILEY).
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I split my time between New Jersey and New York City (where I also work as an audiobook narrator).
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I'm currently working on a two-act play about a haunted brothel, an urban horror script about a terrifying after hours club and a post-apocalyptic coming of age story.
Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2012
