Rita Hanner-Ward
 Rita Hanner-Ward
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Sun City West, Arizona 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? This story was always meant for the screen. Its spark came from an elderly neighbor’s frustrating account of her visit to a local mausoleum — a moment that stayed with me long after our conversation. I returned from my walk and shaped a short script around it, letting the emotional weight of her experience guide the narrative. How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline... use index cards... a whiteboard... or just start with FADE IN? The Pillar was an evolving outline process. From FADE IN to FADE OUT, it took only four days to write it. The idea arrived like a spark after that morning conversation, and, as with much of my work, I was determined enough to see it through. Refining it to my satisfaction took two months of steady, thoughtful tweaking. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? I take writing for the screen seriously, something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s the newest and most rewarding part of my creative journey. It comes with challenges, but they’re ones I embrace — I don’t let them stop me, and I’m committed to growing with every project. 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 short script — just 15 pages — so submitting it all made perfect sense. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? I have several movie favorites, many of which have shaped my comedic voice, but Fargo sits at the top. It resonates with me not just for its deadpan humor and crisp dialogue, but because its characters are unforgettable and the catalyst sets something dangerous and unstoppable in motion. The film unfolds beat by beat with a kind of quiet inevitability, ending on a final line that feels like a mic‑drop — summing everything up without overstating a thing. It’s those subtleties, the bitter with the sweet, that make Fargo a memorable film with a message of conscience and consequence. As for television, Gunsmoke remains my all‑time favorite dramatic series, and when it comes to comedy, All in the Family reigns supreme. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Choose contests and festivals with a strategic goal in mind and always seek feedback. Strong notes make your script better — and help it stand out. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? My projects continue to expand. I’m halfway through my second dramatic feature, Being Joanna, a psychological thriller I’m excited to bring forward. I also have two shorts — one comedy and one drama — simmering on the front burners. My goal is to have six scripts moving through the festival and contest circuit by year’s end, with two positioned for optioning. It’s an active slate, and I’m committed to keeping each project in motion. |
