STEVEN R. BERRY
 STEVEN R. BERRY
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Palms Springs International Screenplay Awards on Film Freeway and decided to enter it since it had a diversity initiative. Your script or media entry stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your project? I consider myself a jazz junkie. My appreciation for the music came about from the coaxing of an uncle who loved Bebop. Philadelphia was full of jazz musicians and venues. I grew up with this music and would later go on to make a documentary on the history of Jazz in Philadelphia. The film was completed in 2015. This inspired me to eventually write this narrative. 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 would say about two and a half years on and off. During this time I was also working on another script. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer or filmmaker? I’d like to see my scripts produced and become a working script writer. Which film directors or screenwriters inspire you? Why? That’s a hard question to answer because it depends on the film’s genre. The Coen brothers stand out for me because of their deft blending genres: black comedy, crime thrillers, film noir, etc. I’m also inspired by Aaron Sorkin who as you know specializes in dramas. His characters are well developed and complex and his themes often delve into social and moral issues. And how can you not mention his superb use of dialogue. Quentin Tarantino is another favorite. He uses highly distinctive and memorable dialogue as well. It’s witty and lengthy that gives his characters realistic and engaging voices. At the same time, there’s a natural and poetic sound to their dialogue. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? That’s another tough question to answer. But what comes to mind at this moment is Michael Clayton. How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? I use them as a way to gauge my growth as a writer, and to gain professional feedback as to what is working in my script. What advice do you have for others hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Stay persistent. Keep writing even when you feel discouraged. Fight through it because in the end you will get through the tough times. Have others read your scripts to get their opinions. And most of all have professionals critique it for their advice. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? It’s about an upper middle class tween dealing with the prospects of entering high school and her parents deteriorating marriage. Where can the world find you? (Website, IMDB, etc.) [email protected] |
