Screenwriting: Contests and Short Films
I've studied scriptwriting for several years. I've written 10 feature-length screenplays, ranging from science fiction to historical drama to romantic comedy.
For a few years, I entered my scripts in contests and then decided to return to writing novels and short fiction. Here are my contest accomplishments:
In 2001 I joined a friend's project to make a series of short films:
This page includes a summary of each film in which I participated, along with some comments of what the experience was like. Each film has been aired on cable access TV stations in the Boston area. Each summary includes information about when and where the films have been screened in other venues.
This film is based on the first short story I sold, called "The Basement Apartment.” The story is about two young women who live in a high-crime neighborhood. Their challenge is not to let their fear of the unknown get the best of them.
I wrote the script and am credited as a producer. Producing involved asking for donations (including meals for cast and crew), working on set design, and working on the shoot. I had just a touch of experience in camera work (which included me saying, "How do I turn this thing on?"), lighting, and sound. I also was a stand-in and body double, as needed. One of the most important things I learned was how to tailor a script for a low budget and a small cast.
"Intruder"has been screened at :
For the second film in this series, I recruited feature film screenwriter Carroll Brown, who's a friend and a fellow SFWA member. He wrote a terrific original script --specifically for this project -- about a man who thinks he's being followed. It's a very effective Twilight Zone type of story.
I'm credited as associate producer. I ran the casting call. I scrounged up lots of donations, including all meals for cast and crew. I worked on set design, continuity, and was the clapboard person during the shoot.
This time I learned I'm more happy off the set than on. I love writing. I hate producing. I've worked lots of different types of jobs over the years, and producing is the hardest work I've ever done. I don't ever want to do it again.
"Follow" has been screened at:
I wrote the screenplay for the third film, which is based on the first professional short-story sale I made ("The Basement Apartment" was a small press sale). "The Next Step" was published in Aboriginal Science Fiction magazine in 1989.
The director asked me to make a number of changes to the screenplay, and I think the result is a slightly different story that maintains the heart and spirit of the original.
"The Next Step" has been screened at: