SPENCER ROSS

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
NYC, New York, USA

How did you discover The Palm Springs International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I found it on FilmFreeway and thought it had a strong reputation. In addition, the fact that every script received detailed feedback without an upcharge displayed that it was trying to stand out from the pack, and I’m happy to say the feedback I received was thorough and constructive, far surpassing the feedback you pay extra for from some higher profile festivals.

Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project?
My script for The Syndrome asks what would happen if every world leader were suddenly turned into homicidal psychopaths for two hours during a NATO conference in Iceland? And then what would happen if the only person who could save everyone was the daughter of the President of the United States? It’s Air Force One meets 28 Days Later, and it’s specifically written as the kind of feature a streamer might be interested in, with a diverse international cast, a quick hook, and big action set pieces mostly contained in one location. I had been following reports of the real-life Havana Syndrome for years, and it terrified
me as someone who had worked in politics for a decade. It was ripe for super-sizing, so here it not only causes brain damage, but also temporarily turns people into murderous psychopaths. And in today’s dumpster fire political world, it didn’t seem like that much of a reach to have politicians ripping one another apart!
But, beyond the high concept, what’s it like to be the child of the most powerful person in the world? To have your identity defined not by you, but your parent? And then what happens when that dynamic is flipped on its head, and the child is the only one who has the knowledge to help everyone survive? There was a lot to explore with that family dynamic that hopefully makes
it relatable to every parent-child relationship.

How long did it take you to write your script or produce your pitch deck/sizzle reel/trailer...and what was your development process?
I’ve been working on The Syndrome for about a year, along with another feature screenplay called The Amenities. I started both projects through classes at Script Anatomy, which were immensely helpful, and then have been revising them both as I receive feedback from trusted friends and festivals.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker?
My goal is to get movies made. I think of my writing as commercial, with perhaps a slight political slant embedded in each piece. And as a member of the GLBT community, I will always feature at least one prominent GLBT character in my writing. If a potential producer doesn’t like that, they’re not the producer for me.

Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why?
I love a mix of genres, especially when you can take an otherwise action or horror heavy script and infuse it with comedy and/or heart. So James Gunn, Kevin Williamson, Katie Dippold, and Mike Flanagan all stand out as being very influential to me.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Scream by Kevin Williamson changed my life. I was 14 when it came out, and I’d never seen that combination of terror and comedy before. Buffy of course continued that mix, and Widow’s Bay has now perfected it!

How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
I’ve learned that so much comes down to things that are out of your control, especially who reads your script. I’ve received a placement as a finalist in a competition like this one the same week the same project got completely blanked by another festival. Just keep trying, be happy with the successes, and try and find something constructive out of all of the feedback you
receive (yes, even the garbage feedback).

What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Apply, rewrite, network, rinse and repeat.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
My other feature screenplay, The Amenities, is set in the twilight of the Obama years, where a newly engaged gay couple and their fractured family visit a house they unexpectedly inherited in rural Wyoming, only to discover it is haunted by fanatical religious ghosts who have laid a trap for them. I love haunted house movies, but the characters are generally religious, and
the first call is to a Catholic priest. Where’s the haunted house movie for gay families like mine?

Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.)
My website is SBRProductions.com. LinkedIn is spencerross.