NILES WELIKSON

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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? 
New York
 
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? 
My inspiration was learning that people on death row were looking for pen pals.   Also, I thought it would be challenging to write a scary,  horror/thriller story that  would leave a lot to the imagination (as distinguished from  a “slasher” type film) .  I find  writing a script is  more enjoyable than a short story or novel since my main interest  is seeing my work made into a film. 
 
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 me about two months to finish the script, some days doing  little and others around six hours.   I did an outline on my computer, then started on my initial draft.  After the first draft was completed I went over it to see what I could add.  
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? 
To see my screenplays made into movies.
 
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? 
Full script.  I didn’t think the full impact of the story could be realized in ten pages.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? 
My favorite television show is Two and A Half Men because it’s brilliantly written and hysterical; favorite movie is The Graduate since, when it came out, it touched on all the fears and anxieties of people my age. 
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? 
Research to make the story as real as possible; write about things you know about and that interest you.   Think about what you’d like to see on screen and have friends read your work and comment on it.  Also, when you enter a contest, seek written feedback.  It may not help with that particular contest but it may help in the future.  The written evaluation I received from the Wiki contest was excellent. 
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? 
​I’ve written the script for “A Very Bad Divorce” that recently was Best Thriller in one contest, won another, and was a finalist, semi-finalist and quarter-finalist, respectively,  in three  others.  It uniquely addresses the horrific consequences of  divorce, bad relationships and poor choices.