SAM SPERON
 SAM SPERON
How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Chicago, IL USA Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting? The inspiration came from watching how modern life is shaped by bureaucracy — how even deeply human experiences get filtered through systems, forms, and approvals. I loved the idea of applying that to the supernatural, where ghosts, vampires, and monsters still have to clock in and follow protocol. I chose a screenplay because this world thrives on performance, timing, and ensemble chemistry. It’s built for visual comedy and character interaction. My journey into screenwriting comes from loving stories that blend genre with heart, using humor to explore burnout, purpose, and connection in unexpected places. If you have produced a Pitch Deck, Sizzle Reel, or Trailer, what was that process like for you? Did you have professional help or has it been a DIY task? How long did it take to produce? The pitch materials have largely been a DIY process, built carefully over time rather than all at once. I focused first on clarifying the tone, world, and characters on the page, then translating that into a pitch deck that communicates the visual style and market positioning clearly. I haven’t used a full production team yet, but I’ve applied industry standards and feedback to shape the materials. Overall, it’s been an iterative process that’s taken several months — refining, testing, and tightening the presentation to make the concept immediately legible and compelling. How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? I’m drawn to stories where genre becomes a lens for very human concerns— burnout, purpose, identity, and the need for connection. I tend to choose concepts that feel playful on the surface but carry emotional weight underneath. Bureaucracy, systems, and institutions fascinate me because they shape our lives in invisible ways, often clashing with our inner lives. Supernatural or heightened worlds let me explore those tensions with humor and empathy. Ultimately, I’m interested in stories about people trying to do good work inside imperfect systems, and finding family in unexpected places. What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? My routine is structured but flexible. I usually start by reviewing character arcs or a specific problem scene rather than forcing pages. I break the workday into focused writing blocks, followed by lighter revision or outlining so momentum never stalls. Some days are about drafting, others about tightening dialogue or tone. I try to treat writing like a job — showing up consistently — but I give myself permission to adapt when the story needs more thinking than typing. Consistency and clarity matter more to me than chasing daily page counts. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? The script came together over several months, with the first draft written relatively quickly once the world and characters clicked. I’m a strong outliner — I spend a lot of time upfront breaking story, character arcs, and tone before writing pages. I’ll often use loose beat outlines and visual reference boards rather than rigid index cards. Once the structure feels solid, I’m comfortable starting with FADE IN and discovering moments along the way. For me, outlining creates freedom — it lets the writing stay playful without losing focus or momentum. |
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How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? I try to treat writer’s block as a signal rather than a failure. Usually it means something underneath isn’t clear — a character motivation, a tonal choice, or the emotional point of a scene. When that happens, I step back and interrogate the problem instead of forcing pages. I’ll rewrite an outline beat, focus on dialogue, or work on a different section entirely. Doubt is part of the process, but I remind myself that clarity comes from showing up consistently and trusting that imperfect writing is still progress. What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? I keep my toolset fairly streamlined. I use industry-standard screenwriting software to stay focused on structure and formatting without friction. For development, I rely on simple outlining tools — documents for beat breakdowns and notes, and visual reference boards to track tone and world-building. I’m less attached to specific apps than to clarity of process. The goal is always to remove obstacles between the idea and the page, so whatever tool helps me think clearly and keep momentum becomes essential. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? Which contests have you entered...and how has your work been received overall? Have those contests been helpful to you in your writing? I approach contests as a way to pressure-test the work rather than define it. Submitting forces me to tighten the script, clarify the hook, and view it through an industry lens. I’ve entered a range of reputable competitions and festivals, and the reception has been encouraging — especially in terms of feedback around tone, originality, and character voice. While contests aren’t an endpoint, they’ve been useful markers of progress and confidence. More importantly, they’ve helped me better understand how my writing is landing with readers outside my own creative bubble. Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? One of the biggest challenges has been balancing tone — making sure the comedy never undercuts the emotional stakes, and the darker elements don’t overwhelm the humor. Early drafts leaned too far in one direction. I overcame that by refocusing every scene around character intention rather than jokes or mythology. If the emotional truth of the moment worked, the humor naturally followed. That shift helped clarify the voice of the script and strengthened the ensemble dynamic, turning tone from a problem into one of the project’s greatest strengths. If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”...how are you managing that? Balancing writing with a day job has really come down to discipline and realistic expectations. I protect small, consistent windows of writing time rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Even an hour of focused work adds up if you’re intentional. I also try to stay mentally engaged with the story during the day — thinking through scenes or problems so that when I sit down to write, I’m ready. Treating writing as a priority, not just a hobby, has been key to making steady progress. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? In five years, I see myself actively working in the industry — developing projects with collaborators, contributing to rooms or productions that value strong voice and character-driven storytelling. My goal is to have at least one project produced or in active development, while continuing to build a body of work that blends genre with emotional depth. More than anything, I want to be telling stories consistently, at a professional level, and working with people who are excited by smart, original concepts that balance humor, heart, and world-building. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? My ultimate ambition is to build a sustainable career telling stories that entertain while genuinely connecting with people. I want to create genre- driven work that feels distinctive, emotionally honest, and memorable — stories audiences return to because they see themselves in them. Beyond individual projects, I’m drawn to long-form storytelling and worlds that can grow over time. Success, to me, isn’t just getting something made — it’s earning the trust to keep making meaningful, original work alongside collaborators I respect. The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Have you used A.I. in your writing; if so, how have you used it? Screenwriters are increasingly expected to think beyond the script — understanding tone, audience, and long-term storytelling, especially in a streaming landscape driven by distinctive voices and rewatchable worlds. Technology, including A.I., can be useful as a development tool, but it doesn’t replace human perspective or emotional truth. I’ve used A.I. in a limited, supportive way — for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, or pressure-testing ideas — never to generate the work itself. For me, A.I. is a tool, not a voice. The writer’s role remains translating human experience into story, something technology can assist but not authentically create. |
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Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
I’m inspired by writers who blend sharp genre storytelling with emotional depth. Neil Gaiman stands out for his ability to mix mythology, humor, and humanity in a way that feels both playful and profound. Mike Schur’s work inspires me for its character-first comedy and quiet optimism beneath the jokes. I’m also drawn to writers like Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Armando Iannucci, who use wit and discomfort to reveal truth. What they share is a strong voice and a deep respect for character — comedy and genre always serve something human underneath. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? One of my all-time favorites is Good Omens. It perfectly balances irreverent humor with genuine heart, using genre as a way to explore friendship, morality, and humanity. What I love most is how effortless the world- building feels — the comedy never undercuts the emotional stakes, and the characters remain deeply human even in absurd circumstances. It’s the kind of storytelling that’s smart, funny, and surprisingly tender, and it reflects the kind of tone I’m always drawn to as a writer. What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters or filmmakers? My biggest advice is to focus on developing your voice before chasing validation. Learn the craft, read great scripts, and finish projects — even when they’re imperfect. Consistency matters more than inspiration. Be open to feedback, but don’t lose sight of what excites you creatively. The industry responds to clarity and confidence, not perfection. Most importantly, treat storytelling as a long game. Progress often comes quietly, through persistence and curiosity, and every script teaches you something that moves you closer to the work you really want to make. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) I’m continuing to develop several original screenplays that explore genre storytelling through a character-driven lens, ranging from dark comedy to elevated supernatural and dramatic concepts. Department of Unseen Affairs is a key focus, but it’s part of a broader slate centered on emotionally grounded, market-aware stories with strong ensemble potential. More information about my current projects and loglines can be found at https://www.melogia.com/screenplays.html. I’m always interested in conversations with collaborators who respond to smart genre work with heart and originality. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) The best place to find my work is online at https://www.melogia.com/screenplays.html, where I showcase my current screenplays and project information. I use that site as a central hub for my writing and updates. I’m also open to professional connections and conversations through industry channels and interviews like this, as I continue developing and sharing new work. My bio is attached with all my links: Website: www.melogia.com YouTube: SarantosMelogia Facebook: @SarantosMelogia Instagram: @SarantosMelogia Twitter: @SarantosMelogia TikTok: @Sarantos |
