Contest Comments

You must login to post a comment.

First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!

Contest News

Scriptapalooza Interviews 2nd Place Winners MJ Anderson & Richard Rossner

2nd place winner - MJ Anderson & Richard Rossner, "Son of a Gun"

Scriptapalooza: How did you come up with your story idea?

A: We realized that there weren't enough terrific family comedies that kids would want to see over and over, and that adults would love, too! So we pitched with each other to come up with 5 unbelievably great ideas for family movies. This was one of them.

Scriptapalooza: How long did it take you to write it?

A: Working only part-time on the script, it took us about three months to write it.

Scriptapalooza: Is this your first script that you have written?

A: No. We have other comedy screenplays and lots of exciting stories in different genres ranging from comedy to thriller.

Scriptapalooza: Have you entered other screenwriting competitions?

A: Yes, but none before with "Son of a Gun."

Scriptapalooza: If so, have you been successful?

A: Yes! Happily, we now have 4 screenplays that have been winners of well known screenwriting competitions.

Scriptapalooza: Why did you enter Scriptapalooza?

A: We decided to enter Scriptapalooza because it is one of the higher profile competitions. Everybody in town knows it, and we figured if we won, everybody in town would get to know us. Besides, “Scriptapalooza” has the cutest name. We love saying it.

Scriptapalooza: Advice to other screenwriters?

A: Write something you care about. Tell a good story. Craft it well.

Scriptapalooza: How did you feel when you saw your name as one of the winners?

RICHARD: I had been fantasizing what it would feel like if I saw my name as the first place winner. Every time I mentally replayed the scene I would laugh with joy. When I clicked on the Winners link, the only difference was that my name was on the second line instead of the first. But I laughed just the same. It was an exhilarating feeling!

MJ: I was thrilled, and gushed: “You like me! You really like me!”

Scriptapalooza: How do you work as partners?

A: We work in a very interesting way, probably different than other writing partners do. We break the story together. Then, when we start to write the actual screenplay, as we come to each scene – we discuss the elements – and then each of us writes our own draft of the scene. This way, we each get to explore our individual creativity – without holding back or stifling our initial instincts. After both of us have the draft of a scene completed, we read it aloud to each other. And compliment each other profusely on how fabulous we are! When we're done laughing and flattering each other -- we take the BEST PARTS of each – and merge them together. With this process, our first draft is actually more like a 3rd draft.

Updated: 09/09/2005

Submit Report Card

You must login to read or submit report cards.

First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!