JIM BOTSFORD
 JIM BOTSFORD
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
San Diego, California How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others? I discovered The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards through Filmfreeway. Living near Palm Springs, and having been to many film festivals there, I couldn’t resist this being my first screenplay contest entry. Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project ? My inspiration is perhaps a bit odd. I had a dream of this screenplay – a lucid dream of how this film should look, act and live. I took some real-life moments and wove them into the screenplay to help humanize the characters. Having experienced loss myself, I wanted to explore how we cope with trauma and the ramifications of our actions. How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process? My first draft came to me in one week. Then, of course, I toiled and edited. It took me six months to get to the point where I was comfortable submitting it for contests. I work first from character development, then through an outline including locations, plot, and what actions should take place to move the story forward. Then, I fill in the details including dialogue. Music is a huge part of my writing so I also select songs as I write that I think would enhance the various scenes. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker? My ultimate ambition is to have my screenplays turned into full-length films – to have the honor of joining such a prestigious group of writers and filmmakers and to hopefully give movie-goers some enjoyment and escape. Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why? There are many directors and screenwriters who inspire me, including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Kathryn Bigelow, Guillermo del Toro, and Sophia Coppola.. Two specific examples are Peter Greenaway who directed The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover in 1989 for his use of colors, which became a character themselves and Coralie Fargeat, for her bold script and direction of The Substance. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? I have many favorites but the one that comes to mind, and that I have watched the most, is Heathers. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? To be honest, I have only submitted my screenplays to two contests so far. I do investigate the various festivals before submitting and will continue to do my homework to ensure my screenplay fits within the festival of choice. I have learned that feedback may be the best gift to a screenwriter and I have enjoyed the ride. What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Keep writing and keep going. And take feedback as a blessing and not a curse. The writing community is quite familial and supporting – be a part of it and open up. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I am currently working on a family drama screenplay titled Supreme and a horror screenplay titled Streaming. Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdbotsford/?igsh=MxRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D# Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jim- Botsford/pfbid0phCWJf1hvDtu25ZQtxaZK7BYi7XL2od7x9bWMATuK3dUFqWc kbVd85aCE1PzFQXhl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-botsford-17213210/ |
