MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Christine Autrand Mitchell

An interview with screenwriter Christine Autrand Mitchell regarding the Writers Place Writing Competition.

A: The Cullings Principle. It's a Victorian-era mystery with current and universal themes - disappearances, prostitution, overcrowding, GLBT themes, and so on.

In 1855, OWEN CULLINGS, a young charismatic attorney, travels to overcrowded London refusing to believe his sister is dead - so a letter tells him. In his search, he becomes the darling of London society but also travels its underbelly. After months, dead ends leave him ill and with one last lead, but what answers will he find?

A: It looked like a good contest with results for writers and knowledgeable directors. Ironically, a friend won the contest previously (and I worked on the feature now being shopped to distributors).

I've entered quite a few others and have placed 10 times with this script and four additional ones with two other screenplays, which are a little lighter. I'm enjoying the contest circuit but hoping for another win and all the things that come out of that...

A: There were a few hiccups with some of their sponsors, but it's all getting worked out. It's not their fault directly.

I received Final Draft, a one year Inktip subscription and several magazines. I'm certainly utilizing the on-line sites.

A: The script took about 6 months of intense work. I'd drafted a novel and kind of adapted it from there. Hoping I can sell both! I don't keep track of drafts, but I believe the work in writing a script is in the ensuing drafts and not the first one or two.

I was way over on pages and had to turn it into a mathematical formula: need to lose x amount of pages for every y. Quite painful - but it worked!

A: I used MovieMagic Screenwriter, but I'm slowly switching to Final Draft.

A: I try to write ever day. I'm very prolific and also write fiction, short stories and non-fiction, including articles on screenwriting (for Three Lines or Less and other sites). The hours vary from 1 to 6 or more a day. (Yes, I'm lucky!)

A: I don't really get blocked. It's more like struggling to find the mood of the story I need to work in. If nothing else, I'll develop a new idea or write an article to get something written.

A: I was raised abroad and ended up with a Bachelor's in Linguistics. I worked in the corporate world and left my creative side behind, eventually building a consulting business. It really helps when I work as a Producer. I started a production company, so I get to Produce, Direct, cast, offer workshops, and write!

I've written several other screenplays and am now drafting a pilot for cable television. My script "A Village Affair" and its Americanized version "A Valley Affair" have garnered 4 placements so far. I have others as well.

A: I don't live in LA but I do visit occasionally. I work with LA actors, for instance.

Since my material is deemed more of "independent" or "foreign" film, I don't have plans on moving there. With internet, I don't think it's a necessity.

A: I'm always working on something - a novel, a screenplay and a play. I'm never bored!

Thank you.

Posted Wednesday, May 9, 2012