cary singleton
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Brentwood, 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? Fast Cash is based on what happened in 2006 when I left my ex-husband (a great guy but a life-long prescription drug addict – the name of that movie is Except for One Thing). Since he (at the advice of his attorney) was going after me for alimony (since I always was the major breadwinner), my attorney told me “Don’t make any money – and don’t spend any money -- until the divorce is final). So, I came to Los Angeles in 2007 (at my aunt’s suggestion: “you are a storyteller-you should go to USC Cinema School”) and entered USC’s Summer Cinema program two days before it started, to learn “adaptation” and screenwriting and “development & pitching” (terms I had never heard of). 
At 51, I was older than one of the teachers and the next oldest student was 32! I was driving a 2 passenger -no back seat - cute 2003 Z4 convertible with a locking BMW suitcase on the trunk. At industry events, the valets always parked it out front. That and a great classic designer wardrobe (I became known as “That Woman Who Wears a Dress”) meant everyone assumed I was “someone” in “The Industry”, even though they were not quite sure “who” (people in LA restaurants sometimes asked me for my autograph) And even WIF made me pay full price to become a member – although as a student, it should’ve been free!
Most of what happens in Fast Cash was based on what actually happened to me: I “lived” out of my sports car for 9 months, but never slept in it overnight. I always met someone at film industry or USC events who asked me where I lived and I would answer “I’m actually looking for a place” – and then they invited me to stay with them for a few days or weeks, sometimes housesitting. (I looked “mature and trusting”.) No one, not even my family, knew I was living out of my car until the divorce was final. I didn’t want anyone to feel “sorry” for me. And I met people all over LA as a result (My husband-to-be later still says when people come up to me in restaurants, “how do you know all these people?!” I had previously been a Designer/Builder of custom homes where I “envisioned” what could happen in each space in a home as I designed it. So, screenwriting, that is writing “scenes” - seems more three dimensional and natural to me. 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? Always FADE IN: I initially wrote Fast Cash in winter of 2007/2008 waiting for my divorce to be final so I could someday work for pay again – and when it finally came through, I didn’t have to pay any alimony thanks to the great advice of my attorney! I typically write a 90-page first draft in 6 weeks (3 hours/day or 5 pages/4 days a week: no interruptions). Research and fun after each session (no checking emails, etc.) FADE IN: No cards, just start writing. 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I love old-fashioned romantic comedies that appeal to both men and women, rooting for the hero to win while making them laugh and sometimes cry or laugh through their tears. It would be cool if one or two of mine got made, but in any event it’s what kept me in LA and how I met my wonderful now husband. He encouraged me to pull those old scripts like Fast Cash and Let It Fly out of storage and see if they had wings. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? Full script – because I wanted feedback. I decided instead of rewriting with no notes, to enter contests where I could get notes. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? African Queen: the story, the acting, the interaction between Bogart & Hepburn. And... Pat & Mike: fun story and great interaction between Spencer Tracy & Hepburn. I think these stories best reflect what love can be while indulging us in laughter. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? A few months ago, my writer friend in NYC from USC (the 32-year-old from USC Cinema School in 2007) encouraged me to start entering contests to get feedback. Interestingly, the feedback covered a range from “needs a lot of work” to “brilliant”. Good to see what resonates. And what doesn’t. |
