RITA REINECKER
 RITA REINECKER
How did you discover The Wiki Screenplay Contest and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
FilmFreeway Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Minneapolis, Minn. 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? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting? No Shortcut to Freedom is based on a true story. It’s a seven-episode limited television series and is completed. I’m a writer. When I read the book manuscript, I knew it would be a great movie. Up until now I never wrote a screenplay, so I educated myself and here it is. As I was writing this screenplay, I realized that this is what I should have been doing all my life! My father (Herbert Reinecker) was a successful German film-and-television screenwriter (and novelist). From early on, I loved reading … and writing. My father just never supported my writing. Very sad. He died in 2007, so he never saw this script. Maybe he’s sitting on a cloud up there, proud of me? What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive? I’m a morning person, so I usually start around 9:00. To refresh my thinking, I go for walks with my dog. 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? Since this is a true story, I collaborated with the author who is also a childhood friend. From start to finish, it took almost two years. My guide was the original book manuscript and I pretty much followed it. I just start with FADE IN. How do you handle writer’s block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process? In this case, there was no writer’s block. I knew the entire story when I began writing the screenplay. What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter? FinalDraft 13, it’s awesome! How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests? Which contests have you entered...and how has your work been received overall? Have those contests been helpful to you in your writing? I just enter. Since I don’t have any industry connections (and they are essential), I entered many film festivals and contests. I figured this may be the only way to get the script out there! I have won seven Best Screenplay/pilot Awards, and numerous others such as Semi Finalist, several Finalist. I have had quite a few positive feedback/critiques. However, there have been no inquiries from managers, agents, or producers. So, should I just give up and stop entering? It’s an amazing story that I believe should be told. Can you share a specific challenge you’ve faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it? Since this is a seven-episode series, coming up with cliff hangers was a definite challenge! If you are balancing your “writing time” with a “day job”... how are you managing that? I have all the time in the world, I’m retired! Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter? Interesting question. Since this is my first screenplay, it may also be my last. I’m 84 and am very much aware that I may have reached the end of my life. However, I’m in the process of writing a novel (Thursday’s Moon) that very well may become a screenplay. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? To get that film made! And that my book will be published (I wrote my memoir, Dance with me, Papa, Confessions of a nasty child, indie-published it, going the agent route this time.). The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence? Have you used A.I. in your writing; if so, how have you used it? I do not like to see the misuse of AI when it comes to creative writing. I won’t ever use it! Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? Nora Ephron! Clever use of humor throughout. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? Favorite movie? Nora Ephron films, all of them! Favorite tv show has got to be The Big Bang! What advice do you have for aspiring screenwriters? First of all, study screenwriting books! Follow the format! Spellcheck! What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?) Only www.dancewithmepapa.com I hope my book Thursday’s Moon will be published (still a work-in-progress). It’s a mystery love story. Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.) Facebook, like everyone else! |
