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FilmMakers.com Interviews American Gem Short Script Winner Amber Rapp

Amber Rapp graduated from Baker University. She spent the better part of her career before becoming a mother in the IT industry. Always a secret dream, Amber began writing while taking care of her young children. One a whim, she wrote a short screenplay "Wrong Number" that was a finalist in the KCWIFT short competition. The President of KCWIFT mentored Amber as a writer and a filmmaker assisting her in seeing that work from page to screen.

Now Amber spends her time focused on honing her writing skills with the goal of seeing her page to screen work take shape from short form to feature film. She is in the process of preproduction of her first feature film and intends to see "Southern Justice," the winner of the American Gem Literary Contest produced as a short film, but with the goal to transition the story into a feature length screenplay.

"SOUTHERN JUSTICE"
Logline: Three sisters, two bodies, one mistake. Ami, Dallas and Austin struggle with the morality of a path set on seeking "Southern Justice" in this short screenplay that defines how far a person will go to protect the ones they love.

I knew I wanted to be a writer..

from the time I wrote a short story in sophomore English. My teacher Kevin Stone inspired me with the kernel of hope that I had potential to succeed in this competitive arena. I didn't write for many years but once the opportunity presented itself, I threw myself into writing discovering that I wanted to blend my love of writing and film into screenwriting.

I know I've succeeded...

I know I've succeeded as a writer by seeing my work improve. Whether or not I receive additional success through writing competitions, I'm aware that I am growing as a writer. I hope I never stop trying to improve my craft. I hope that I keep surprising myself by what I create and I know I will doggedly seek to have my work produced.

My inspiration to write Southern Justice

My inspiration to write Southern Justice was my love for the eclectic mix of comedy and suspense. I think there is a fine line between drama and comedy. I love to play with the boundaries and when a reader or viewer gasps in shock but is also able to chuckle at unexpected moments of levity, I've created something special. I am also one of three sisters, three very different women that share a special bond. I think that siblings reveal the best and the worst in us. "Southern Justice" was inspired by my sense of love and loyalty to my own sisters.

FilmMakers Magazine: What inspired you to write?

Amber Rapp: I see stories wherever I turn. I feel I've been given a gift and I want to share my creativity with the world. Writing provides the outlet with which I'm able to take the stories inside my head and cultivate them into something that is as real as the rose from a gardener or the building of an architect. I hope that I will be given the opportunity to continue to share my work with others.

FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare to write your first script/story and is this is your first?

Amber Rapp: The first short screenplay I wrote "Wrong Number" that is available on Vimeo was inspired by my love for Alfred Hitchcock and my experience with coworkers from my employment in IT. We've lost some of the magic through technology. As a society, we don't experience the interaction on a personal level with one another that I remember from my childhood. The idea of a stranger impacting our life is what fueled my first short script. I sat down and I wrote. "Southern Justice" is my fifth short screenplay.

FilmMakers Magazine: How long did it take you to complete this winning material?

Amber Rapp: I completed many rewrites of "Southern Justice" over the course of several months. I wrote took time to digest the material before returning to make adjustments. I sought out more skilled writers input and used their notes to help make the screenplay better.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?

Amber Rapp: I wish that I could say I have a routine. I do write on my laptop mostly mid-morning. I don't have a set time management but I'm open to suggestions. I use deadlines for contests often to help motivate me to complete a screenplay or to rewrite the material for submission.

FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?

Amber Rapp: I believe writing contests are very important for aspiring writers. The reason is that while judging will always be subjective, knowing where you exist on the plane of writers is important to gauging your progress. I would not be discouraged if you're not ranked or winning but seeking out contests that provide feedback is a great way to determine objectively how your material is being received and interpreted. Often as a writer, you may not see the holes in your vision and contests assist with finding where you need to improve.

FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the American Gem Literary Festival?

Amber Rapp: Entering the American Gem Literary Festival was a decision prompted by the prize by the opportunity to submit rewrites and the listing on Movie Bytes that I use when considering submission of my work. More and more contests are open to short form but this being a contest that gave a significant award for a short screenplay prompted my entry.

FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?

Amber Rapp: Aspiring writers should read as many screenplays as possible. Award winning screenplays as well as screenplays of writers within the genre that they wish to write are crucial to recognizing good material, formatting and other writing habits. Also, read instruction books that help you as a writer understand the rules. Writers may be successful by breaking the rules but it's first important to understand the rules and know how to follow them before you go out and break them. Breaking the rules is not the best way to get noticed.

FilmMakers Magazine: Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?

Amber Rapp: I'm passionate about my family and about movies and television. Television or serialized shows (Netflix, Amazon Prime) are my favorite indulgence. I enjoy traveling and good food. I think that I'm most passionate about becoming the best filmmaker possible.

FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?

Amber Rapp: In teleplay or screenwriting, my favorite writer is Joss Whedon. I was and always will be a huge fan of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Joss wrote vampires before they were cool and has the unparalleled capacity for action mixed with humor. I must give you two favorites. My other favorite is the late Elmore Leonard for the same reason. Several of his short stories were created into films as well as the series "Justified" on FX that was based on one of his short stories. He is the master of the one liner. I would have loved to meet him.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the director you would love to work with and why?

Amber Rapp: I would love to work with Clint Eastwood. As a kid, I watched "Dirty Harry" and as a teenager "Unforgiven". He's become a prolific film Director that inspires me to pursue this type of career. I think he would be an excellent mentor in the field of directing. I hope to one day meet him.

FilmMakers Magazine: Name the actor you would love to work with and why?

Amber Rapp: Viola Davis is my number one on a long list of actors that I would love to work with and meet. She embodies grace and watching her performances provides an escape. I believe entertainment is an escape from our everyday lives. Viola's performances make me laugh and cry. Though from different parts of the country, I feel that we had similar upbringings and as a woman in the entertainment industry, she provides me with the inspiration that through perseverance and hard work success is possible regardless of gender.

FilmMakers Magazine: Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?

Amber Rapp: Network, network, network… Writing is a lonely endeavor and you may become lost in the sea of your own words. Without a support system, you might not be able to achieve your best work. Surround yourself with people who are more talented and listen, listen to what they have to say and learn. Develop relationships with people that are in the business you wish to be in and seek out mentors, then be a mentor.

FilmMakers Magazine: What's next for you?

Amber Rapp: I intend to continue to write but to also, pursue directing and continue to produce my own work. The best way to showcase your talent is to see the effort of page to screen through. I hope that Clint and Viola call me up and say, "Let's make a movie together." That would most definitely, make my day.

FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from now?

Amber Rapp: Five years from now, I'd like to be Shonda Rimes. I would love to have my own television series. I would also like to have movies I've written and directed out in the world. I would hope that I've seen more of the world. I hope that I've shown my children more of the world.

Updated: 07/21/2015

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