ISSIE MANTESE
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ISSIE MANTESE

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
While I’m originally a Midwesterner from Michigan, I’ve lived in Los Angeles, CA for the last 7 years.

How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I heard about this contest from fellow screenwriters who have applied. I decided to enter this contest among the many others because I deeply value the thought and care that goes into the thorough notes we are given. I respect and appreciate all the helpful feedback I received!

Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project ?
My pilot script submission, Burnout, is a very personal story, largely inspired by my own experiences as a young adult in the sober/mental health recovery community in Los Angeles. Moving from my home in Michigan to Los Angeles at 17 years old set in motion an unforeseeable multi-year journey of messy, fun, and (sometimes) pain-staking self-discovery that forever changed and redefined the course of my life. During my time at sober living, not only did I meet an incredible community of people who helped me grow and evolve into the person I have become – some of whom remain my closest friends and confidants to this day, the experiences and memories I made from that period are also some of the fondest, funniest, cringiest, and craziest moments in my life. Still, I recognize that most people will never have this unique experience, which is why I want to tell these stories and provide people a window into what it’s like to spend the formative years of early-adulthood in the alternate, liminal universe that is sober living and the world of mental health recovery.

How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process?
Before diving into script, I’m a big believer in doing the up-front work of outlining and world-building, as I find that the more you know about your characters and story, the more authentic and lived-in the final product will be. Therefore, I spent a couple weeks doing all the prep work, and then by the time I got to the actual script, the process flowed pretty smoothly over the next few weeks until I had a full finished draft! After that, it’s all about editing, editing, editing!!!

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker?
As I’m still quite early in my journey as a writer and filmmaker, I want to keep challenging myself and stretching myself as a creative as much as possible. This can mean writing for specific genres (I think it would be so fun to write and shoot a horror film!) or trying my hand at different crew positions (later this year, I plan to direct a short film that I wrote). Ultimately, I think my ambition as a writer and filmmaker is to find a creative freedom and liberation through experimentation and technical skill – something that comes with time and experience.

Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why?
I am constantly inspired by other film directors and screenwriters – both “experts” and fellow peers emerging in the industry. I admire big-name filmmakers, such as Greta Gerwig, Richard Linklater, Kathryn Bigelow, and Luca Guadagnino, because they take risks and break conventional filmmaking molds. Likewise, I admire my friends and colleagues, who are talented writers and filmmakers also newly breaking into the industry. I believe having a creative community to support and learn from each other is vitally important, and my community teaches me and uplifts me every day.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Ooph, that’s tough to narrow down! But forced to choose only one of each, I’d say my favorite movie is Thelma & Louise, and my favorite television show is Killing Eve. Both center complex, strong-willed women who refuse to conform to imposed societal expectations and pre-conceived notions of womanhood.

What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Don’t try to predict what others will resonate with. Write what YOU care about, and that passion will come through on the page. I also think that it’s so important to not be afraid to “fail” or make “bad” art. The way we improve is by learning – both from our triumphs and mistakes. We have to be willing to throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks -- the messiness of that is a fun, often underestimated part of the creative process!

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
While continuing to hone my pilot script, Burnout, I am also working on a short film and another pilot script – a mockumentary. Additionally, I’m in the process of independently financing, developing, and producing the Burnout pilot!

Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.)
On my social media (Instagram, TikTok), which is @izzieaem1208! Feel free to reach out or DM me! Additionally, I’m on LinkedIn (izzie-mantese) and you can also reach me via email ([email protected]).

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