ANTHONY MARTINEZ
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ANTHONY MARTINEZ

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada, but I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and storytelling. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life, whether serving in the Marine Corps, working in federal law enforcement, or writing screenplays.

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?
The Love of the Fallen began with a question that stayed with me for years:
What if the oldest stories in human history were not myths, but memories? I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations, forbidden knowledge, spiritual traditions, and the stories that exist at the intersection of faith and history. The script explores love, rebellion, sacrifice, and the consequences of knowledge through a lens that blends mythology, spirituality, and human emotion.
I chose to write it as a screenplay because film is the most powerful medium for this story. The scale, imagery, and emotional impact demanded a visual experience. Some stories are meant to be read, but others are meant to be seen. The Love of the Fallen is a cinematic story.

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 evolved over several months of research, outlining, drafting, and rewriting. I am definitely an outliner. Before I write a single page, I spend a great deal of time understanding the world, characters, themes, and story structure. I use outlines, scene breakdowns, research notes, and character biographies. Once I know where the story is going, I start writing. The first draft is about discovery. The rewrite is where the real work begins. I believe great scripts are rewritten, not written.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate ambition is to create stories that endure. I want to tell stories that entertain audiences while also making them think, question assumptions, and see the world differently. Whether I’m writing historical dramas, supernatural thrillers, science fiction, or horror, I’m interested in stories that explore identity, memory, truth, and what it means to be human. I would love to build a body of work that spans film, television, and literature, and create projects that leave a lasting impact long after the credits roll.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
I submitted the full script. For me, the story only reveals its true purpose when experienced as a complete journey. The opening pages are important, but the emotional payoff, character arcs, and thematic depth are found in the entire screenplay. I wanted the judges to experience the complete vision.
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​What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show…and why?
Choosing one is nearly impossible, but if I had to pick, I’d say The Shawshank Redemption. It’s a story about hope, perseverance, friendship, and the refusal to surrender to despair. No matter how many times I watch it, it still resonates. The film reminds us that freedom begins long before prison doors open. On the television side, I greatly admire True Detective (Season One) for its atmosphere, writing, and character work. It demonstrated how television can be as cinematic and philosophically ambitious as film.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Write the story only you can tell. Contests receive thousands of technically competent scripts. What stands out is voice. Don’t chase trends. Don’t write what you think the industry wants. Write the story that keeps you awake at night.
Also, embrace rewriting. Most writers stop too soon. The difference between a good script and a great script is often found in the rewrite.
Finally, finish projects. An unfinished masterpiece has no value. Completed work creates opportunities.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m currently developing several film and television projects across multiple genres, including historical dramas, supernatural thrillers, and speculative fiction. One of my most ambitious projects is a horror script called, “The Harlequin”, a mythology-rich film that blends ancient history, the science behind sleep and a story that was born out of my own dreamscape.
I’m also adapting historical stories inspired by real events and continuing work on my novels under the pen name Talahumni. At the core of all my work is a simple belief: the oldest act of violence is erasure, and the oldest act of resistance is refusing to be erased.