MARNI SULLIVAN
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 PictureMARNI SULLIVAN
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Burbank, 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?
It was based on some scientific research that was being investigated in a lab adjacent to mine when I was in grad school. It became a script because I was doing script consulting for science- based stories, and I took a screenwriting class to learn story structure to give better notes. The concept for SYVERTSEN’S COMPLEX became my first script.

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?
It took six months for the first draft because I was going through a specific writing program. We started with coming up with the concept, then logline, figuring out the beat structure and then finally the outline. I did all this in Word documents and Final Draft.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I just want to create thought-provoking narratives that stand the test of time. Perhaps develop a small production company around doing such projects.

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 it was one of my most developed projects.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
I honestly can’t pick just one. In terms of movies, I really like indie features like ANOTHER EARTH. For television, I prefer shows like SEVERANCE and MR. ROBOT.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Just keep doing the work and remember contests, like the industry, are subjective. What might not work in one competition may do well in another.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I have a couple of TV projects that are highly relevant to our current times, such as ACCOUNTABLE and IMPOSED SILENCE. In terms of features, I have been working on more genre-specific projects in the sci-fi or thriller realm that can be shot on a low budget with small
casts and 1-2 locations.