MARCIA P. SAMUELS
​

 PictureBest Screenplay Winner Marcia P. Samuiels
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Jamaica, New York, USA
 
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?
While browsing through a thrift shop in New York, I saw an elderly woman in a wheelchair holding a vintage doll, and she started to cry. She told the person pushing her that she had the same doll when she was a little girl, and it was her best friend. It made me think about her life and why, at her age, a childhood doll was still so significant to her. That moment stuck with me, and years later, I ended up writing THE STORY OF DOLLS. As for why I chose to write a script, I’ve never seen myself as a short story or novel writer.
 
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 originally penned this script years  ago. Recently, I spent around two weeks doing a major rewrite.  I often dream my stories before putting them down on paper.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
 I have been lucky enough to see several of my stage plays and musicals brought to life on stage; however, my storytelling extends far beyond the theater. I also craft screenplays and television pilot scripts. Now that I'm submitting to festivals and gaining valuable feedback, I am more confident that maybe Hollywood isn't as far-fetched for a writer like me.
 
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
Several years ago, I received a favorable review of the first ten pages.  After extensive rewrite, I felt it was time to get a full read and review.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?  
IMITATION OF LIFE, saw it as a young girl and it left an impression on me.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
When you believe your script is ready for submission, take a break for about a week before revisiting it. Recently, I have been utilizing the "Read Aloud" feature to listen to my scripts. This approach allows me to detach from my role as the writer. If you can hear a compelling story, and captivating dialogue, and vividly imagine the scenes, your readers will experience the same.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I am in the process of developing a project and simultaneously working on its sequel, as I believe the complete story cannot be conveyed in a single film. This project can be characterized as a psychological, paranormal, and mysterious thriller that captivates the mind, featuring a title that, when unraveled, discloses the genre while keeping the plot's twists and turns a secret.