BRANDON OSTERMAN
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Atlanta, Georgia, US Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project? My grandmother’s passion for the holidays was legendary. The Thanksgiving dishes had barely been cleared from the table before she was decorating the Christmas tree. When she passed away, she made one request of my grandfather: "Promise me that every year, no matter where you are, you’ll decorate our Christmas tree.” True to his word, my grandfather honored her wish faithfully. Every year he’d pull out her old collection of ornaments and decorate a tree in her honor. Their tree was more than just a way to celebrate the holiday, it was an act of remembrance that symbolized their enduring love. This idea--that love can live on through tradition—is what inspired me to write The Naughty List. How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process? It took about nine months to bring the script to life. Early on, I teamed up with a couple of other writers to shape the idea during that first month, then spent the following months writing, revising, and fine-tuning until the story and characters really clicked into place. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker? I wrote this film as a showcase for my directing sensibility. While I’m passionate about writing, my ultimate ambition is to bring stories to life as a filmmaker—crafting a distinctive voice and vision on screen. For me, writing is a way to shape the material that best plays to my strengths as a director and allows me to create work that’s both personal and suited to my filmmaking voice. Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why? I’m inspired by directors like Chris Columbus, Taika Waititi, and Jon Favreau — filmmakers who combine heart, humor, and a strong sense of wonder in their work. I admire the way Columbus brings warmth and sincerity to family stories, how Waititi balances irreverence with deep emotional truth, and how Favreau moves so effortlessly between intimate character moments and large-scale spectacle. Their films remind me of the magic of storytelling and the importance of creating work that’s both entertaining and emotionally meaningful. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? My answer often changes depending on where I am in my own life and work. My most recent favorite would be Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I love how it blends humor, heart, and adventure so seamlessly, with characters that are both quirky and deeply human. It’s a prime example of how a film can be laugh-out-loud funny and still deliver an emotional punch — that balance is something I really admire and aspire to in my own work. What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? My advice is to stay true to your voice and write the story that excites you most. Contests respond to work that feels fresh, authentic, and passionate. Focus on what makes your script unique rather than trying to guess what audiences want. Also, be relentless about revising. Get feedback from people you trust, keep refining, and don’t be afraid to rewrite until the script really sings. Most importantly, keep submitting and stay resilient. Every project is a chance to learn and grow. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I’m currently in preproduction onThe Naughty List, which I’m directing this summer. We’ve got some amazing talent on board, both on screen and behind the scenes, and I’m really excited to bring it to life and share it with everyone soon. Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.) You can follow along withThe Naughty List at TheNaughtyList.com, where we’re sharing updates, behind-the-scenes content, and ways to get involved. I’d love for you to check it out and join us on the journey. |
