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FilmMakers.com Interview with Screenplay Contest Winner Shannan Leigh Thompson

The Myth About Roses is Shannan Leigh Thompson's first screenplay. She began writing four years ago when the inspiration for The Myth About Roses was born from a daydream. Since then she has written several short stories and a children's book. A graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in art, she currently works as an art director for a ceramic tile manufacturer.

What can you tell us about yourself?

I'm a twenty-nine-year-old art director for a ceramic tile company.

Tell us about your job?

I'm an artist. I do hand painting on ceramic tiles. A lot of repetitive patterns, flowers and fruits, and such. But its great because it's like driving, I can work but my mind can also wander. I've gotten some of my greatest ideas at work.

What inspired you to be a writer?

I've always had a vivid imagination. I spent more time in school daydreaming than studying so I think it's just in my nature. I literally live in my own fantasy world.

What inspired you to write and ultimately motivated you to write your first screenplay?

Actually when I got the idea for the script I decided I was going to write a novel, but I kept seeing the story as a screenplay. At that point, the lights came on and I realized what I wanted to do with my life. It was always there I just didn't see it.

I learned more just by writing. When you read books it's all foreign if you haven't written anything. I learned more just by writing, also I joined a writing group. The feedback I got from that was invaluable.

Tell us more about your experience with this writing group?

We spent a lot of time giving each other feedback on the scripts we were working on. Which was great to hear what people had to say about what was working and what wasn't working. Sometimes it's so easy to loose perspective on your work.

What did you do to prepare yourself to write your first script?

I took a lot of notes on index cards and carried a notebook around with me everywhere. I thought about it day and night. Music helped me a lot too. I would just sit in a dark room and let my mind wander with some exotic film score in the background.

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

I didn't put too much pressure on myself to come up with certain ideas. I just let my mind go wherever the music would take me. Whatever I'm writing at the moment is always on my mind. I write wherever and whenever the ideas start flowing. Sometimes at work, sometimes in the middle of the night.

Can you tell us how much time did you spend on getting the script done?

I spent about two years planning on writing the script. reading books, taking notes. Finally I got sick of that and started writing the script. I worked on it about a year, took a year off after I finished the first draft. Then I started a major rewrite that took another year. That was when I felt it was truly finished. I would rather take the time to write one great script rather than ten bad ones.

When you began to write your script how many hours per day, week, etc was spent on writing your script?

I spent more time working on the weekends than anything. And often in the evenings after work. I worked on it constantly so it wasn't like I would work on it a couple hours this week and a couple hours the next. I spent probably twenty hours a week writing.

Did you ever have any doubts about completing the script?

Oh yeah plenty of times. Luckily I had a good friend who is a screenwriter who encouraged me to keep going. There were times where I thought it wasn't any good and then there were times when I would read it tears would come to my eyes. I think the balance of insecurity and ambition helped. If I was too secure I wouldn't have worked as hard.

How often did that happen?

It happened more times than I would have liked it to. Usually I would take a few days to gain perspective and read what I had already written. I kept seeing the story as a movie and knew I had to keep going.

At what stage did you decide it was finished?

I don't think I can even say it's finished now. I'm a perfectionist and I still get ideas for it. Minor things of course. But I got so attached to it, it was hard to let it go. It had become such a part of my life. I started working on the next script. I'm ready to fall in love with another story now. I think there's a time where you have to step back and say "It's good the way it is"

Do you ever write treatments and how did you learn?

No I didn't with this one. I just wrote an outline. But on the one I'm writing now I think I'm going to have to. The first script was such a learning process, so I'm approaching this one with a little experience.

How many contests would you say you've entered prior to FilmMakers?

Actually only four, including FilmMakers.

What prompted you to enter the first contest and why?

I had finished it around the time that the deadline was. More than anything I was curious to see how it would do. If I didn't do well then I would work on the screenplay some more.

What was the name of the first contest you entered?

The Nicholl of course.

What can you tell us about the experience?

I entered it this year so I haven't heard anything yet.

Do you believe screenplay contests are important for screenwriters and why?

I do think they are important. It's nice when you can say in a query letter to an agent that you have won a screenplay competition. I think they view them as a filtering system. Filtering out the good scripts from the bad ones.

What made you decide to enter our contest?

I was interested to see how it would do in contests. So I entered yours. I entered the major contests then this one. Maybe it was just meant to be.

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

As far as scripts to encourage writers to read. I personally liked "The Sixth Sense" script. It was thought provoking and well paced. Also it has hidden meaning. The story is ultimately about communication. Communication between Cole and his mother and Cole and the doctor. I like stories that have an underlying meaning

Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?

I'm fascinated by mythology from different cultures. And having studied art in college, I'm passionate about art. It all comes down to human emotions, expressed in different ways.

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

I think personally for me, trusting your instincts is important. Even if it means abandoning the basic "rules" of screenwriting. After all your script is an expression of your creativity so be creative with it. Don't feel you have to follow the formula. As a writer you have one thing over anyone else, your own voice. Thanks a lot. It's been great!

To view interviews with the other winners please visit at:

http://filmmakers.com/contests/screenplay.htm

Updated: 10/05/2000

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