SUZANNE BIRRELL
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Chimayó, New Mexico, USA 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? For many years I had been working on the idea of an actress being processed by the spirit of the historical character she was playing. I couldn’t find the story to put the actress into. After my mother died, my father shared bitter memories. He felt he had cheated my mother, he was not the man she had married. That man had never returned from Korea. I realized my father had given me a foundation for the story. When I began writing, it all fell together. I wrote a script rather than a short story because my forte is character and dialogue. 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? Once I started writing, this particular script took about nine months with rewrites. I spend a lot of time visualizing the story before I begin. I spend time with the characters with a back story for every one. I wrestled with this story idea for several years to get everything lined up and in order and before I was ready to begin writing. I do my best thinking in water - a hot tub, lake, ocean, shower. What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? At this conjecture of the stars, I would simply love to get a story picked up and produced. All of my scripts have had table readings—sometimes repeated by request! Many scenes have been produced as shorts on stage - very exciting. However, ultimately I would like to write and direct. Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? I submitted the entire script and paid for the feedback. I have submitted to many contests and Wiki is my favorite for getting constructive feedback that I can relate to and actually use. What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? I love “My Cousin Vinny” by Dale Launer The dialogue is brilliant. The misdirections are clever. The characters are perfectly outrageous. The pacing is excellent. Extremely well researched. “My Cousin Vinny” is considered among the most accurate movies made about courtroom procedure and trial strategy. What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? Format correctly. Get into a scene late and leave early. Actions speak louder than words. Read your script out loud. Edit-Edit-Edit. Do a table read. What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? • Working on getting a manager. I continue to submit to contests in hopes of getting attention. I write and re-write and am garnering more and more awards. • Working on a script deck for a crime comedy series “Sally & Norma.” Also. • Dramedy, “Phishing for Phoebe” just scored an honorable mention on Wiki with some excellent notes. Will be working on a rewrite. • Christmas Drama “An Empty Chair” scored an honorable mention on Wiki. Working on touch-ups. • Working on a Mystery Drama “Pearl Fisher” for submission to Wiki. |
