NONO TAMURA & TASHA HARDY
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 PictureFinalist Nono Tamura
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Tasha in Texas & Nono in Colorado
 
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?
Yokai were a part of everyday life when Nono grew up in Japan, and she wanted to bring that cultural perspective into our story. We both have strong visuals in our imaginations, so scriptwriting was the best fit for us.
 
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?
We've been working on this script off and on for years. We generally start with an outline, then exchange ideas back and forth to expand our imaginations, taking turns working on the script. Recently, Nono has been working closely with her writing coach, a published author in literature, which has helped us dive deeper into character development and polish the overall writing quality.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To sell an original fantasy series or to write for an existing one.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
It was a full script. We always seek valuable feedback to keep improving our writing, and we found The Wiki Screenplay Contest to be particularly valuable, providing clear and high-quality tips on our full script.
PictureFinalist Tasha Hardy
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
(Tasha): The Princess Bride – It takes traditional storytelling and transforms it into a modern fairy tale that evokes nostalgia and resonates with people of all ages.
(Nono): Pan's Labyrinth – It masterfully blends fantasy elements with a deeply emotional real-world story, creating a beautiful harmony between the two.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Get feedback on every draft from one or two reliable sources, and we highly recommend The Wiki Screenplay! We also suggest finding a great writing coach who can work closely with you to dive deeper into the material. Working with a coach and receiving industry feedback will accelerate your writing journey. It took us many rounds to reach this point, but with each iteration, the script improved—little by little—until it was finally ready to be shared with the world!
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
"Chasing Alice" is another TV pilot we've been collaborating on, and it recently received a "Recommend" from the Austin Film Festival's coverage program.
Logline: A grieving boy moves into a ghostly house and discovers portals to altered fairy tales, where he must help fantastical characters while uncovering hidden secrets and finding solace amidst his grief.