RAY DICILLO
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I currently live in the Washington D.C. area. I am originally from the Midwest. How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others? The PSISA came to my attention through Coverfly and I thought I’d enter Clay Angels and seek some notes in the process – which turned out to be very comprehensive and insightful. Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project ? Clay Angels was inspired, among other things, by an experience I had early in my teaching career. I overheard a conversation between two female teachers in the teachers’ lounge as they discussed a very young student (maybe 4th grade) who was noticeably effeminate. It was obvious to me that they were appalled and disgusted by this. They made no attempt to vail their feelings. It’s something that I’ve never forgotten. He was one of my students too. He was a wonderful, intelligent, and normal boy. This experience affected me to the core, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. The principal of the school was a blatant, outspoken homophobe which wasn’t unusual during this period. Homophobia was the brand of vote-seeking fascism being used by certain political factions at that time. And the beat goes on… How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process? Clay Angels only took a couple months to write in my spare time. (I still have a day job.) Refining it has been an on-going process. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker? Like all writers, I would love to see something that I have written transformed into film. Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why? Luca Guadagnino’s films are emotionally fearless and profoundly thoughtful. Screenwriters that can make me laugh about something serious and cry about something beautiful inspire me. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? As far as films go, it’s hard to declare a favorite but I do enjoy a good drama. For me, it’s always content over process. Incredible visual effects alone do not ‘marvel’ous cinema make. Teach me something while I’m being entertained. Make me think. I’ll take deep and simple over shallow and complex. That’s the cinematic experience I prefer. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? When entering work in a competition, I try to submit the best version of the script. What I have learned is that subjectivity is at play for sure. Clay Angels has proven that to me. What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Seek quality feedback, expect rejection, but don’t give up. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I am currently working on a supernatural/horror/comedy script. I can’t seem to write without injecting some humor. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.) Don’t look for me. Look for my work. It’s out there! |
