Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Gil Christner
An interview with screenwriter Gil Christner regarding the WriteMovies.com Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "Death Takes A Vacation"
Simply stated, it's a comedy version of the premise for "Death Takes a Holiday" (later remade as "Meet Joe Black"):
The Angel of Death wants to take a weekend off, but the neurotic mortals at the Earthly resort he checks into have other plans for him, especially the moody Hotel Manager, who has been obsessed with the Grim Reaper all her life.
A: WriteMovies.com had one of the first deadlines in the calendar year, and seemed to have a good reputation (I checked every contest I entered on MovieBytes.com, something I highly recommend)! Also, the address, on The Lot in Hollywood, gave it an air of substantial solidity in my mind.
I entered 11 contests with this script, and it placed in 8 of them, including finalist in the Chesterfield Fellowship, Scriptapalooza, Script Pimp, and Honorable Mention in the Hollywood Script Symposium.
A: Great! I have nothing but high praise for Alex and the gang at WriteMovies.com.
They were very friendly and communicative, and the prize winners were treated to lunch on The Lot with some Producers to pick their brains.
Plus, WriteMovies.com follows up with extra perks, such as a newsletter sent to producers including my rep info plus any log lines and synopses of other scripts I have written.
Great people, great experience.
A: Nothing except they liked it.
Always think that's helpful!
A: Not this contest directly.
However, I had a conversation at an audition with a friend of mine telling him about winning this contest. A woman overheard me and told me she worked for a literary agent, and would be happy to read my script.
Long story short, I signed with that agent! Serendipitous!
A: I'm an actor (please see my professional website at www.gilchristner.com) and have been working in the business for 20 years.
I have two other screenplays. I also made my living writing short form comedy for the radio in the 90's.
A: Yes.
If you don't live here, move here, kids!
A: Polishing up "Jenny Swerdlow, Restaurant Detective."
Posted Saturday, January 31, 2004
