Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Steven Solomon
An interview with screenwriter Steven Solomon regarding the California Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: "Angel Bands," inspired by a true story, follows petite Antonia Ramirez, whose first memory is the tragic death of her father in a car accident. While just seven, Antonia thrust herself as caretaker of her family, when her mother embraced a tequila bottle instead of motherhood.
As a young woman, Antonia grips tight onto life's rollercoaster, plunges to devastating depths, where she loses her first true love and battles cancer. Yet she rises to unimagined triumphs, learns her passion teaching kids, finds love and overcomes her personal demons.
A: As a native Californian, this contest seemed so right on, and a great opportunity to "test the waters," so to speak, of my first short script.
Q: Were you satisfied with the administration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised?A: The Calif. Film Awards honored the deadlines they set and administered the contest very well. I was timely notified of my award.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: The first draft of this script took two weeks to write. A dear friend's life was the inspiration for the story, and her spirit moved my hand to pen this script. Since the initial draft, I have done several re-writes, including chopping down the initial 50+ pages to 40 pages. The process of cutting scenes and dialog was a wonderful learning experience. I zeroed in on what each scene added, or not, to the overall story, what dialog moved the story along, or not.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: I have used Movie Magic software when I started screenwriting, in early 2010. It has proven exceptionally reliable and effortless in my story-telling endeavors.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I do write every day now that screenwriting is my primary avocation. The number of hours spent writing varies each day, but on average, I'd say 2-4 hours a day is spent writing.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I don't get "writer's block." Instead, I am inspired to write, which inspiration miraculously generates from so many sources: a friend's life; a song; a news article. My writing style is to "go with the flow," whether it be creating a first draft, doing a revision or re-write, editing, etc.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I have written 6 movie scripts and have 3 television series concepts. I have written episodes of two of the television series.
My background is as a consumer lawyer for 25 years, where I was honored as one of California's leading lemon lawyers. I served as a pro-tem judge, worked with the California Legislature drafting and editing consumer laws, and co-founded Youth Court in San Francisco.
I am a published legal writer, with a long-running advice column and several articles published in legal and mainstream media. I am also a published appellate lawyer, with several cases that established significant legal precedents. As editor of my law school's newspaper, I was honored one year by the American Bar Association editorial competition.
I am a long-time musician, opened for B.B. King and Charlie Musslewhite. I was an extra in Stanley Kramer's "RPM," and my daughter is an aspiring actress.
A: I am a native Los Angeleno, having spent my first formative 18 years there. LA will always be "home" to me.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: Right now, I am writing episodes for the paranormal television series and working on a new script centered on after-life experiences.
Posted Wednesday, January 12, 2011
