ERIC GILLIATT

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I have residences in both the US and Europe, but I am currently living and working in Europe. I exist and work in the “virtual world” of today.
 
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?
I have had a great acting career, but I have always enjoyed writing, and studied creative writing (literary) in school.  So, I decided the best way to find a good role was to write one for myself and then have the film produced.
 
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?
My scripts are adaptations. Working with the full original texts, I do several development stages beginning with a “rough” highlighting read to color highlight the primary story dialog, secondary dialog, and important literary descriptive text. Everything else is eliminated. That could be construed as a form of “index cards.”
My latest took 3 months. 
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?  
To see my work as a writer premiere in competition at Cannes. It is an experience that defies words, even for a writer.
 
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
I now always order a Full Script read and Executive Coverage notes. No exceptions. Especially from Wiki, because the Coverage Notes are exceptionally professional, thorough, very constructive and focused on the script’s success, why and how.
 
What is your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
Hah, the “impossible question” with just one answer. Better I try to go by genre and why.
For television shows I always loved “Gun Smoke,” and “Mash.” Timeless classics.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
I saw a great interview with award-winning literary author Dante Stewart. He talked about his methods and motivations for writing. He said as children we were self-assured, audacious and happy. As adults we become insecure, controlled, and angry. As writers who want to succeed, we must go back and find a moment in our life as children when we still had those three characteristics and write from those perspectives. I did that and my script was a FINALIST in this competition.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Right now, I have four adaptation screenplays total with three new ones in planning including a docudrama. The four are in pre-production packaging with low budgets, three of these belong to two different franchises and all three of those have finished as finalists. One is shelved due to content for now, but the other three have finalist status.

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