and director at a very young age. I was always
mesmerized by the magic of filmmaking and absolutely wanted to find
out how movies were made. I soon realized that I could also tell my
stories filmically and have since built my life towards that goal.
I know I've succeeded.......
When one of my scripts will be optioned
and I’m directing it.
My inspiration to write
BY THE HAND.......
Came
from seeing a young boy and an old homeless woman in full conversation in the
streets of New York. I started imagining how they knew each other and came up
with the story for the script.
*****************************************************************
FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Alexandra Torterotot: My inspiration for screenwriting comes
from my main goal, directing. I want to direct my stories more than
anything else.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
Alexandra Torterotot:
I read a lot of short stories, news articles and poems in order to
find inspiration for my first short screenplay. I ended up choosing a
poem by Lord Byron.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is
this your first script and how long did it take you to write BY THE
HAND?
Alexandra Torterotot:
This is I think my 9th short script and it took me about a month to
complete the final draft.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Alexandra Torterotot:
Not really. The one main thing I do is leave a couple of days in
between each draft to get a better objective point of view when I
re-read my script.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Alexandra Torterotot:
I do believe screenplay contest are important because they are an
opportunity to have your script read by professionals and depending on
the competition, get a chance to get it made into a film.
FilmMakers Magazine: What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Alexandra Torterotot:
I am a frequent reader of Filmmaker’s Magazine and believe that the
competition is worth participating in because I believe the judges
have a worthy opinion.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Alexandra Torterotot:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind because it is a script that
ignores the usual conventions of screenwriting, yet still manages to
capture the audience with its great characters and dialogue.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you
passionate about and why?
Alexandra Torterotot:
As mentioned before, I’m most passionate about directing. I want
everyone to share the stories I have in mind and I’m most at ease with
expressing myself visually.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
Alexandra Torterotot:
There are many, but the one that comes to mind is Charlie Kaufman. His
imagination is so wild and he manages to create a coherent exciting
story despite his unusual writing style.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
Alexandra Torterotot:
MIf Hitchcock were alive, I would definitely choose him! Today, I
would say the French director Cedric Klapisch. He is great at both
screenwriting and directing and manages to create great chemistry with
his actors. He often starts shooting before the script is done and is
inspired to write the rest as he moves along. I find that method quite
interesting and would love to see him in action.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Alexandra Torterotot: My dream would be to work with Meryl
Streep. If she decides to act in a film, you know the screenplay is
worth it. The way she embodies each character is exhilarating and it
is interesting for a screenwriter to see his/her character come to
life through someone as talented as she is.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
