MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Rzwan Cabani

An interview with screenwriter Rzwan Cabani regarding the hollywoodscript.com Writing Competition.

A: The script is titled "Black Butterfly". It's about a serial killer who leaves the location of his next victim, along with clues to his identity, hidden at the crime scenes. He's inviting detectives to find him or more bodies.

A: Craig Kellem is phenomenal, he's an ex developement executive at Paramount and Fox, which was the main reason I wanted to work with him. He really helped me become a writer. He has a monthly contest, which is open to all of his clients, so I entered. This was the only contest I submitted "BB" in and was all I really needed.

A: I was incredibly satisfied. Craig is very professional and he really loves writers so he's got a real interest in your success. It's not easy to win. He's very paticular what projects he puts his name to. That makes winning really special. I received all the awards and more.

A: A lot of feedback and an incredible amount of attention to detail. He's very intuitive and has the ability to turn an average script into something great.

A: This was actually my second win in this contest. The first script I had ever written also won, it was a crime drama called "Criminal". After winning I got about twenty requests from different producers and agents, but no option or representation. I soon started writing my second effort,"BB". After that won as well, I got about thirty requests, which lead to both "BB" and "Criminale" being optioned and me signing with Whitaker Entertainment.

A: I did some acting when I was a child, but my parents wanted me to focus on having a real childhood, so I did. It wasn't until I was about twenty four that I decided to go back into acting, but soon found out that it's ridiculously hard. So I thought if I can write my own film, I can put myself in it. So I started to research screenwriting, found Craig Kellem, learned the craft, worked very hard, and am grateful to have come this far, but I have a long ways to go. I now have about 8 total spec scripts, which my agent and I are working on marketing. I was also hired by the same producer who optioned my scripts to work on a true story script. That was a great experience. It seems as though I've got half a foot in the door, barely, and now I'm trying to squeeze the rest of me in.

A: No, I live in the east coast, but with a single break or opportunity, I'm there.

A: I just finished my first horror script called "Once Upon a Night" and a yet to be titled crime drama which I'm very excited about. And until I see my name up there when the lights go down in that theater. I'll be forever trying to squeeze myself in.

Posted Thursday, April 2, 2009