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Scriptapalooza Television Competition Interviews

ScriptapaloozaTV interviews contest winners Adrienne Simpson (Reality Category), C.M. Robinson (Pilot Category), Luke Yankee (1-hour Category), and Taryn Bailey (Sitcom Category):

Adrienne Simpson
1st Place Winner - Reality Category

How did you come up with your story idea?
I am the daughter of two professional musicians so classical music is the family business, I know it front to back, left to right. As a reality TV fan, it was very natural for me to craft a show that featured artists in that genre.

How long did it take you to write it?
The concept came to me immediately as far as the logline and synopsis. The episodic breakdown took no more than two days. Then I spent plenty of time fine tuning the language prior to submission.

Is this the first script that you have written?
Technically, yes. This is my first completed reality project. However, I have an endless supply of outlines and treatments (both reality television and feature film) that I am committed to completing. My Scriptapalooza win has definitely lit a fire. Additionally, I spent eight months co-producing a documentary film and earned a writing credit in the process.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?
I contemplated entering Scriptapalooza, with various projects, for about three years. Virtuoso had been on my PC in some form or another for close to four years. Although writing for film and television is what I have always wanted to do, I held onto the ambition so tightly I nearly smothered it. On April 30th, 2009, I clicked submit and let it go. If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?
Law and Order SVU.

C. M. Robinson
1st Place Winner - Pilot Category

How did you come up with your story idea?
I've always been a sucker for a good fish out of water story, and in my script I added the dimension of exploring a lead character who has his fresh start thrust upon him, ready or not. It really is the story of one young man, and the people around him who force him to grow up. How long did it take you to write it?
I almost don't know. I wrote this script in bits and spurts while working another job. It took at least two months to write, but by then I had already done quite a bit of research to spice up the back story. Is this the first script that you have written?
No, I've written several television and feature scripts. I also wrote two plays while in college.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?
I entered Scriptapalooza because it is one of the few television competitions I know of that accept pilots. If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?
I'd love to write for something like Lost which combines character moments into its storyline, and always keeps the viewer guessing.

Luke Yankee
1st Place Winner - 1 hour Category

How did you come up with your story idea?
My script deals with a recovering addict falling off the wagon at a Mother's Day dinner. Something similar happened in my family with my middle brother and it seemed to fit the storylines of "Brothers & Sisters" perfectly. At the end of the episode, Justin presents his mother with the broken pieces of a very expensive alabaster vase he bought her as a Mother's Day present and then dropped in a drug induced stupor. My brother actually did this.

How long did it take you to write it?
About two months, including several polishes.

Is this the first script that you have written?
While I have written several since then, this was my first TV drama spec, so I was doubly thrilled to win.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?
It has a reputation as one of the best TV contests out there. While there are hundreds of screenplay contests, there are far fewer for TV.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?
I know you should never write a spec for a show you want to write for, but I am obsessed with "Brothers & Sisters". I also love "Mad Men" and "30 Rock".

Taryn Bailey
1st Place Winner - Sitcom Category

How did you come up with your story idea?
When you work in any type of a Cube Farm, you're always looking for a reason to stop working and celebrate anything. "I Didn't Fall Asleep Before Noon Day", "My Socks Match Day", etc. The story of Boss's Day came from that experience, plus I thought that Boss's Day is something Michael Scott would have circled in red on his calendar a year in advance of the actual day and have colorful post-it notes all over his computer monitor as reminders.

How long did it take you to write it?
Once I had the idea, the writing moved right along. I did one complete draft and then went back in and read it through, changed the Cold Open slightly and made a few other minor adjustments. It made me laugh, but then again, I find most things funny so I just hoped someone else would think it was funny too!

Is this the first script that you have written?
No, I have others in my arsenal. But this is the first script I've entered in a major writing event.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?
Scriptalooza is a well respected writing competition and I felt if I could do well in it I'd know I was headed in the right direction with my writing.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?
There are so many great shows out there right now. I love The United States of Tara, The Office, Fringe, Saving Grace, Modern Family& I wouldn't mind writing for any of those!

Updated: 10/02/2009

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