KATE REMELIUS

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I just moved to New Orleans, LA this year. There’s something about the people, the chaos, the humor, the heat, it’s all fueling my writing in unexpected ways.

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 inspiration came from a lot of places: being a small kid in church pews, watching powerful men crumble under scandal, and the absurdity and warmth of small-town life. All those pieces came together into one world. As for why a script? Honestly, that's all I know. I’ve been writing scripts since I was a kid. I’d journal episodes of my favorite shows, act out plays with my
siblings and neighbors, build scenes in my head. Scriptwriting is how I process the world.

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?
“Hand on the Bible” actually started as a sketch I wrote in a comedy class at NYU. It was a fun little bit at first, but the concept wouldn’t leave me alone, so I kept digging, and it evolved into this layered half-hour pilot. My process? Absolute chaos, in the best way. I’m a big believer in the index card wall so I mapped out every character’s journey for a full season, and at one point my apartment looked like a conspiracy theorist’s lair.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
In my deepest dreams, I want to be a showrunner. I love building worlds, shaping tone, collaborating with other creatives, and even answering 3AM Slack messages. Ideally, I'd love to run “Hand on the Bible” one day, but more broadly, I want to keep creating character-driven comedies that balance humor with heart.

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 because I wanted the story to be experienced in full, especially the ending, which sets up the characters into the overarching conflict.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
My favorite show of all time is “Derry Girls.” Lisa McGee is an absolute comedic genius. Her ability to juggle huge political backdrops with the micro-drama of teenage friendships and family chaos is exactly the kind of comedy I strive to write. It’s hilarious, specific, and deeply human.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Write something that genuinely excites you. If it makes you laugh, cry, or walk away from the computer because you wrote a fire line. Odds are it’ll connect with someone else. That authenticity shows on the page every time.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
My other big love is children’s entertainment. I’m currently in post-production on “Lucy and Lobbly,” a short puppet film I wrote and directed that explores growing up as a girl. It's a deeply personal project, and I’m so proud of the mostly-female team who brought it to life.