MARCIA SAMUELS
 MARCIA SAMUEL
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I have entered this contest before, and I was impressed with the coverage, actually surprised at how thorough it was. Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? New York, NY 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 do not consider myself a writer of short stories or novels. Many of my projects originate from dreams I have had, and I also find inspiration in biblical stories, transforming them into contemporary dramas. Whether a dream where I already saw the entire story, a chapter from the bible, or a story told to me, I love the challenge of completing the journey into a screenplay or stage play. How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes? When I have a story in my head that I can't shake off, I just have to write it down. I don't stick to a specific theme, but a lot of my writing tends to focus on spirituality and the paranormal. 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 start with Fade In. How do you handle writers block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? If I know inside my head what I really want to say, but it’s just not coming out and I get overwhelmed, I stop, sometimes for months. What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? Finaldraft. 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 evaluate the number of years and the potential benefits of participating in that contest. I also review the judges biographies and occasionally examine the loglines of the winning scripts. I sometimes question the value of submitting and winning, aside from the beneficial coverage. CONTEST I HAVE ENTERED: Wiki (various: hon. Mention, semi, finalist and award) Palm Springs Intl. Screenplay and Pitchdeck-SizzleReel (Quarter & Semi Finalist) Fountain Intl. Poetry-Film Festival (selected) New York Script Awards (Hon. Mention) Bolt (Hon. Mention) Screencraft – Musical Stage Play (Quaterfinalist) Screencraft Virual Pitch (Not selected) Drumshanbo WrittenWordPoetryFilm (not selected) Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? Not sure I overcame enough to explain. Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? I hope I will have sold or optioned a script by then. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? For people to enjoy my work. 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 think having all these streaming platforms is great. However, I find that most of the movies are pretty low quality. It seems like these platforms are just buying up a bunch of low-budget films to keep up with the demand. As for using AI, I've been having fun using AI to create many things! I've also started turning some of my old and new poetry into short “Poetry Films,” and the responses on YouTube are positive thus far. Not sure where I am going with this project yet more than to say, I am writing more poetry than I ever have. When it comes to AI, I've been doing a lot of research and I think the film industry is going to fully adopt AI for everything—writing, production, and even acting. I know writers are pushing back against this, but the reality is, it's already happening more than we realize. For instance, with the right words and the power of AI, I can create stunning artwork, close to the masterpieces that talented artists have created over time with their brushes on canvas. Now, someone who has never had that passion or made sacrifices can easily create similar art just by typing out some words for fun or profit. (and may I add, that even if there are flaws, with the power of AI, those flaws can be manipulated into perfection) Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? Movies: “Beaches” - “Imitation of Life” – “Flowers In The Attic” & “Don’t Worry Darling” TV SHOWS: Scandal and Law & Order SVU. I also like the true story films, and some of the Reality shows. What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters? Write the story because you have to tell the story, not because you’ll be pissed if it never sells. Just do your part and write a damn good script. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) I'm currently rewriting a film adaptation of my acclaimed musical Tell Hell I Ain’t Comin’ Right now, I'm torn between keeping it a musical or writing it as a drama. Plus, I'm also working on a project that's so massive and unique that I realized I can't fit it all into just one film. I am writing the main story and the sequel at the same time, but more so concentrating on the main original screenplay. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) Youtube Channel: Marcia P. Samuels “A Grain Of Sand” https://www.youtube.com/@MPSagrainofsand AMAZON PRIME: (Rent/Buy “Tell Hell I Ain’t Comin’”) https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00D7K5MTO/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_Tn 74RA_1_1_1?sr=1- 1&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B002ISZGIS&qid=1747165798547 IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0977237/?ref_=nmbio_mbio SHORT BIO: Marcia is a versatile artist who shines in many creative areas like playwriting, poetry, songwriting, and screenwriting. One of her standout works is the acclaimed musical TELL HELL I AIN'T COMIN. She's also made her mark on stage with five commissioned plays, including the enchanting A DREAM ACROSS THE OCEAN, which wowed audiences with sold-out shows at the renowned Ashcro Theatre and The Hackney Empire in London back in 2012. |
