MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Andrew Woitschek

An interview with screenwriter Andrew Woitschek regarding the Hollywood Scriptwriting Writing Competition.

A: It's a romantic comedy called SOCCER MOM. Basically it's about a young woman who's just out of a bad relationship, and because of this she has negative vibes towards men. She lands a job as high school English teacher, and when she refuses to pass the star jock who's failing, his wealthy dad threatens the heroine. The only support she has against an angry school board is the football coach. In the end she realizes that true love has a high price tag.

A: The word HOLLYWOOD SCRIPTWRITING INSTITUTE has a certain mystique for me. It sounds larger than life, and that's something I'd like to be associated with.

Since winning this contest, I've entered in one other contest in which I was a semifinalist. The experience is great. Actually, I think it can work to the writers advantage to enter many contests, at least they'll get more feedback, and for a young writer starting out that's something one needs.

A: I'm very happy with the HOLLYWOOD SCRIPTWRITING INSTITUTE'S contest. Everything was done on schedule, and they announced the winners on the dates they said they would.

Also the one year subscription to SCRIPT magazine has been very informative. It's given me insight into the magic world of screenwriting.

A: Yes, they sent me a sheet that analyzed my script. It broke the script down into different categories like PREMISE, CHARACTERS, DIALOG. Then it rated each each category into the folowing: EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR, or POOR.

Having a stranger read your script can sometimes be a real eye opener, and this time was no different, but it's always good to get someone to read your script who doesn't know the writer or have a vested interest in it.

A: Yes, through winning this contest I picked up a manager who has showed lots of interest in this script. He told me it's definetly HIGH-CONCEPT which makes me rest easier knowing that he's been in the business for almost twenty years.

A: Writing screenplays is something I've always wanted to do. SOCCER MOM is actually the second script I wrote. The first is a drama, I'm still shopping that script around. In addition, I've written two other comedies, both appeal to the twenty-five and under crowd.

A: When I'm not living in New Orleans I'm in Hawaii, the big Island. Living in Hawaii is a great escape because the atmosphere is so conducive to writing. I would never rule out living in LA, but for now I'm happy where I am. That's one of the advantages of writing a spec script, all you need is a laptop and you can write wherever you want. As for writing sitcoms, no doubt LA is the place to be.

A: I just started on a new project. It's another romantic comedy. I think the big importance of writing a good script is understanding who your audience is. Whenever I write a script, I don't just write it from the writers POV. I also write it as if I was watching it from the audience.

Many times I go see a movie on opening weekend just to study the audience. I observe what lines they laugh on, and even their ages. There's a certain electricity on opening weekend that normal crowds just don't have.

Posted Sunday, February 8, 2004