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Scriptapalooza Interviews TV Contest Winners

Scriptapalooza TV interviews the winners of the Reality, Pilot, Sitcom and 1 Hour Drama categories.

How did you come up with your story idea?

My father is a very bold NY Jew and quite like Larry. I thought of a lot of things he did. He actually did once get thrown out of an art class for fighting with the nude model. The jury duty idea was something someone once said- I wanted his answer to be ridiculous.

How long did it take you to write it?

A few months.

Is this the first script that you have written?

Nope. I have written many features in film school and afterwards, and a few sit com specs as well. Not to mention extreeeemely pithy emails.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?

It's not always easy to find the door into TV writing, which is my dream. I'm a big geek.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?

I'd like to eventually create and run a sit com that touch, moves and inspires people, making them learn and laugh at the same time. I love the writing on a lot of HBO shows, and as far as sit coms, ''Scrubs'' has both comedy and heart, and ''Family Guy'' really works the humor synapses in my brain.

How did you come up with your story idea?

The idea for Reality Strikes came to me after I'd finished writing my feature-length horror/thriller Greed, which is about what a person is willing to give up or withstand in order to have money and security. In Reality Strikes I explore the idea of fame and to what lengths different individuals will go to achieve it -- which interests me enormously.

How long did it take you to write it?

Like all of my scripts, I think and brood and let the ideas percolate for weeks and months before I sit down to write. When I'm ready to sit down and write, it usually takes anywhere from a week to 10 days, depending upon the length of the script.

Is this the first script that you have written?

This is not the first script I've ever written. I've written four feature-length screenplays; four hour-long stage plays; and I've recently written and directed a short film (under 15 mintues) entitled The Sacrifice, which is about what specific individuals are willing to do/risk/sacrifice in the name of their devotion (www.thesacrificemovie.com). So I guess there's a bit of a theme running through my work at this point. You can check out my other scripts, awards, book publications and stage plays at www.dianenamm.com and www.westofbroadway.org.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?

I've been aware of Scriptapalooza TV for several years. I know it's a higly respected competition, and I was looking for just the right project to submit -- and Reality Strikes seemed like the right one.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?

There are so many great TV shows, specifically one-hour dramas, with which I'd love to be involved: Grey's Anatomy; Without a Trace; Prison Break; and 24 to name a few.

How did you come up with your story idea?

When I wrote this, Kate Moss and Pete Dougherty were still a couple. I thought, what if they weren't really like that? What if they were faking the bad behavior just to keep up an image? The transgender prom queen is real. The student's name is Johnny "Crystal" Vera and he won prom queen at his high school in Fresno, CA.

How long did it take you to write it?

I took a class at with Susan Rice at NYU over the summer. I went from having never seen the show to a completed script in six weeks.

Is this the first script that you have written?

Second. The first was for a show that got cancelled.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?

I'd heard about it by searching the internet and it sounded like a great way to get my work in front of agents.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be? 30 Rock or Ugly Betty.

How did you come up with your story idea?

It all started with the title. I combined the greatest first name in rock and roll with one of the most famous (and public domain) surnames in literary history -- "Elvis Van Helsing!" How can you go wrong with a title that? You're either laughing at that name or dying to find out who the hell that is. Titles of shows are very important. Look no further than the classic 80s show "Manimal." What a title! Okay, maybe it wasn't so classic.

How long did it take you to write it?

Once it was plotted out, it took a couple weeks to bang out the first draft. Only made a couple very minor changes after that. Elvis and his crew were a lotta fun to write for. It was as if they were sitting around the computer with me telling me what to write. I know that sounds a little crazy, but that's what it feels like when you're in the groove and digging what you're working on.

Is this the first script that you have written?

Nope, but this is the first spec pilot I've ever written.

Why did you enter Scriptapalooza TV?

A good friend of mine won 1st place in the 1-hour drama category last year, and that's how I found out about the competition. Since he's a better writer than me and wouldn't be entering the next round of the competition, I figured I might have a chance to win.

If you could write for any TV show, which would it be?

Heroes, Lost, Reaper, Supernatural, Bones, NCIS, Doctor Who, Knight Rider (if it goes to a series, call me NBC!) and the new and improved version of Manimal. (Hey, if Dukes of Hazzard can come back, you never know...)

Updated: 02/28/2008

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