MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Anne Kruse

An interview with screenwriter Anne Kruse regarding the Page One Writing Competition.

A: I entered Solid Waste, a comedy about Dewey, a dumpster baby who grows up and gets a life...as a trash man. Unable to emotionally attach to anyone but his beautiful trash truck, all hell breaks loose when he's fired by the new company owner. In his quest to reunite with his truck he pretends to fall for Shelly, the owner's daughter in hopes of getting his job back. Unfortunately, the plan backfires when he falls in love with Shelly and must choose between real love and the trashy love of his truck.

A: This contest is about the opening first minute of the movie, page one, and I LOVE writing openings so it was a given. I've entered various drafts in a number of contests. With a title like Solid Waste, I've got nowhere to go but UP.

A: The contest administrators were kind and punctual and my page on their web site makes me very happy. Unfortunately, one of the prizes was to have the winning page published (full page) in Creative Screenwriting magazine, which I was told is not going to happen due reportedly to "we no longer have that relationship with them" and there wasn't enough money gathered in entrance fees to pay for an additional add. As you can imagine I was crushed. They did offer to give my entrance fee back which I declined. It reminded me of the time I won a pair of really cool running shoes in a contest only to find out they weren't my size and I couldn't wear them. But, being interviewed by Movie Bytes makes me VERY happy.

A: Mr. Decker, the founder of The Screenwriter's Group gave me the kind of feedback for which we all strive. He told me, "Don't change a thing. It works". Feedback like that is always helpful.

A: I remain optimistic that at some point this win will help. I know winning anything gives a boost to everything I do. I've sent my telepathic wishes to agents, managers and producers to be contacted--results pending.

A: I just left career #1 last summer(17 years as a career counselor 'cuz I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up--write) to write full time 'til the money runs out. I've written Blind Spot, a thriller about the truths that hide right in front of us; 'Til We Drop, a comedy about a shopaholic; a spec for Will & Grace; a spec titled Riley's Village, an original sitcom about 2 gay couples raising a 5 year old in Orange County; and a prospectus for an anti-HGTV-type reality show titled, Domicile Deliverance, a "Cops" meets "This Old House" show aimed at tracking down deliquent construction contractors to seek restitution for shotty work.

A: I live in the O.C. on the edge of L.A. County so I'm close enough to the action that I won't need to move.

A: I'm finishing up a rewrite of Solid Waste, and I've written the openings for 3 new feature scripts, all comedies. I'll pick one and complete it next.

Posted Tuesday, June 7, 2005