BROOKE DE ROSA
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I discovered the Wiki Screenplay Contest on Film Freeway! It’s so tough to find great screenplay contests for those of us who have not gone through the production process yet. Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Los Angeles, CA 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? I am actually an opera singer myself, and I love Victorian gothic horror and thriller stories, so I had the idea to write about an American actress playing a British nanny to get her closer to revenge on a certain person who had unknowingly wronged her. How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? I love to tell stories about strong women, and I am often drawn to antihero stories. I think every character has something interesting to tell the audience. What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? I write when I feel inspired. I am a composer actually, so most of my working time is writing music. It’s because of this that I wait until I get inspiration for a new script. When I’m inspired I can easily write 20-30 pages, and when I’m not feeling it I don’t force myself to produce anything. 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? I think this script took me about a month to get a finalized version. I just start at the beginning, and work my way to the end. I have a background in acting, so I actually speak through all the lines to see if anything sounds too trite or fake. How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? Personally, I take a step back and take time off. As creatives we need time to “refill the well”. There are times you simply have to push through, of course, but I try to be easy with myself and not force creativity. Sometimes we just need to listen to our body and rest! What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? Final Draft of course! 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 really enjoy entering contests, especially when feedback is available. It’s so helpful to writers. Writing is such a solitary endeavor; it’s always good to have input from others. You can always choose to not input suggestions, but I find it helpful overall. Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? I come from a theater background, and so, everything happens more or less sequentially. If a character needs to go do something, they physically need to go do that thing. In film you can be much more quick and have a cut here or there to take a lot of unnecessary time out of scripts. So, I think adapting my style from theater has been the biggest challenge for me. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? Hopefully making my feature scripts! What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? I wouldn’t say no to an Oscar! 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? I have not used A.I. in my writing. There may come a time when everyone does but I have not. I think it will always be up to screenwriters to come up with a good idea for a story. Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? I love psychological and period horror movies. Not any of the gory stuff, but well thought out slow-burning sense of dread horror. I especially love period pieces like The Woman in Black. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? Raiders of the Lost Ark. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) I am Brooke deRosa on most platforms. Say hi! |
