We knew we’ve succeeded when our first
screenwriting attempt “Under the Red Faded Roof” got listed in the
FilmMakers competition.
My inspiration to write NO NAMES PLEASE.......
Our inspiration to
write NO NAMES PLEASE was to take on the challenge of writing a
thought-provoking short with strong character-development which can
often manifest during a life altering situation.
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FilmMakers Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
tenelRwriters TR: Life and acts of humanity in its entirety;
the adrenaline boost of competition deadlines; “Screenwriter” magazine
articles and watching well executed features in theatres.
FilmMakers Magazine: How did you prepare yourself to
write your first script?
tenelRwriters TR:
While Christine came
up with the business outline, research and plan of action, Lenette
studied the “Screenwriter’s Bible” and “How to Produce a Short”.
FilmMakers Magazine: Is
this your first script and how long did it take you to write NO NAMES PLEASE?
tenelRwriters TR:
Although these are
our first shorts, we’ve already completed features. “NO NAMES PLEASE”
and “The Catch” (listed in the first round of this competition) were
written in a week.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
tenelRwriters TR:
We sure do. Lenette
gets up at four in the morning and finds the silence before daybreak
the best time to write. Christine always has a pen in her pocket and
writes a little bit every day; on a post-it, on a piece of scrap paper
or the back of the grocery bill, when not in front of the computer.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
tenelRwriters TR:
Yes, we do believe
that a fair amount of contests and script covering are important to
aspiring screenwriters. It allows the writer to compete against peers
and provides aspiring writers the opportunity to promote their work
with the possibility of getting the screenplay produced.
FilmMakers Magazine:
What
influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
tenelRwriters TR:
Screenplay
Competition? The “Withoutabox” – reminder; newsletter and the
testimonials of previous winners were sure sources of inspiration to
enter the 2008 American Gem Short Screenplay Competition.
FilmMakers Magazine: What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
tenelRwriters TR:
“The Godfather”.
Exceptional character development and the writing was done in such a
way that each character stayed true to themselves.
FilmMakers Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you
passionate about and why?
tenelRwriters TR:
Swimming in the
ocean, native art, saving the whales and aroma therapy; because we
believe in freedom of expression and conservation.
FilmMakers Magazine: Who is your favorite Screenwriter
and Why?
tenelRwriters TR:
Tim Burton. His
black/noir writing style is excellent. It would be a dream come true
to write an animation in collaboration with him.
FilmMakers Magazine: Name
the director you would love to work with and why?
tenelRwriters TR:
Edward Zwick. Edward,
to our minds, possesses the artistic ability to draw in the audience
by directing the actors to create a work of art. Another one of our
completed screenplays, “The Babyhunter”, was covered and compared to
“Blood Diamond”. Who better to work with than Edward himself?
FilmMakers Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
tenelRwriters TR:
Adrien Brody. He is a
versatile, unconventional and incomparable actor. The complexity of
his acting is superb. For one of our screenplays, “Under the Red Faded
Roof”, he was our first choice for the male actor in a leading role!
FilmMakers Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along
the way to pass on to others?
