RACHEL OTHON
​

 PictureRACHEL OTHON
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I live in Los Angeles, CA in the United States. Though I’m originally from Houston, TX

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?
I’ve always said that I wanted to expand the romance genre. I love romance, always have. But growing up I always felt left out of the genre. I wanted to create my own space to tell queer stories, disabled stories, plus size stories, and this was one of those ideas. Fake dating is a common trope in the romance genre, so I wanted to just apply a queer lense to it. Specifically with bisexuality often being a criticized sexuality. Both sides seem to think you’re “faking” your sexuality. I wrote it as a script because that’s how people learn to see the world. Not just kids but adults can learn as well through a visual medium. If you see something, you’re more likely to believe it.

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?
This script is a proof of concept for a feature that I’m still working on. The feature I started writing last year and it’s still a work in progress. For this one took the climax from that script, the final dinner scene, and shaped this short around that. My writing process is just writing and hoping for the best. Like truly, I just started writing. I went to film school, learned all these development skills and they’re great, I do recommend using them because I just suffer until it’s written. But really when I’m working on a script I make 5 pages a day, then usually once I start I just keep going. A lot of time I use music as a muse. A lot of my stories come from a feeling I get when I listen to a song. Then I try and write that feeling into a script. For this one, it’s Birds of a Feather by Billie Eillish and She by dodie.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
Emotionally, I want to bring joy into people's lives. I want to write characters that people can latch onto and look forward to seeing week to week as they grow and develop as characters. I hope to be able to help someone feel seen on television. Someone like themselves falling in love, or being the hero, or just finding joy in their lives. Practically, I want to be a showrunner. I’m very inspired by people like Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ayo Edebiri, and Laurie Nunn. People who do a little bit of everything. Writing, directing, even, acting. I want to do it all. I just love filmmaking and being creative and I want to do it through every avenue I possibly can.

Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
This was the full script. The full script is only about 20 pages so I found it easier to just submit
the whole thing.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
This is kinda an impossible question to answer.. That being said, the Lord of the Rings, When Harry Met Sally, Little Women (2019), Jurassic Park, Alien/s. For TV shows Parks and Rec, Ted Lasso, Sex Education, Avatar the Last Airbender. But I’m always forgetting something I love.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
ABW. Always Be Writing. Always. Even after you’ve submitted. You don’t need to wait for feedback to keep editing. This was my second attempt at the Wiki contest. The first time I didn’t even place!

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Currently, I'm working in Los Angeles and am continuing to write my own personal projects!