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Screenwriter Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Isabel Stille
An interview with screenwriter Isabel Stille regarding the LA Comedy Fest Writing Competition.
Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about?A: Rewriting Matt. It's a comedy about a successful woman who tries to reform her deadbeat boyfriend. The script won Best Feature Screenplay in the 2012 LA Comedy Festival Screenplay Competition.
Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do?A: I wanted to enter a contest that focused on Comedy and this one seemed like a great bet. Also I liked that they focused on discovering unknown talent and that this is a comedy festival and not just a screenwriting competition.
I have entered other contests. So far, the script has placed in the semifinals in a few of them.
A: I was satisfied with the administration. They met all deadlines and were professional.
Q: How long did it take you to write the script? Did you write an outline beforehand? How many drafts did you write?A: It took me about 8 months from start to finish, with a number of breaks during the writing process. I wrote an outline beforehand, however I made significant changes once I started writing. I lost track of how many drafts I did, but the number is high.
Q: What kind of software did you use to write the script, if any? What other kinds of writing software do you use?A: Scrivener - I like it a lot though plan to try Final Draft in the near future.
Q: Do you write every day? How many hours per day?A: I don't write every day - I currently have a full time job so I don't have the luxury. I write on the weekends and a few nights during the week, for at least two hours each time I sit down to write.
Q: Do you ever get writer's block? If so, how do you deal with that?A: I do get writer's block on occasion. I deal with it either by forcing myself to write, taking a break from the project for a few weeks until I feel ready, or talking through my ideas with friends and other writers.
Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts?A: I studied English Literature in graduate school but have been working a corporate job since graduating. I am not the traditional screenplay writer and am self taught. Rewriting Matt was my first full feature screenplay, however I've been writing articles and short stories for many years.
Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there?A: I live in New York City. I don't have plans to move to LA at this time.
Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script?A: I am working on a few other feature length comedies and am currently finalizing one of them. My screenplays tend to feature strong female leads and appeal to male and female audiences. I've also been writing standup.
Posted Thursday, April 11, 2013
