VAL SERvino
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Val Servino

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
New York!

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?
The idea for Down Range came when I was watching a military drama that touched on post-traumatic stress. I thought about PTSD being presented as somewhat of a monolith – despite touching a diverse range of identities and experiences, regardless of veteran status.
The audio/visual elements in Down Range are very important to the story – the yellow footprints at MCRD, gunfire, the ongoing voiceover, Woman’s appearance at the end. This would be muted in prose.
 
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?
It took about a month total – from the idea I jotted down in my Notes app to writing, editing, and conferring with Marine Corps veteran and filmmaker Tyler Mendelson for accuracy. For longer pieces, I will build an outline, but I generally prefer just to write and see where it takes me. That said, I almost always start writing with the final scenes already in mind.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate goal as a writer is to highlight the social determinants of health and their impact on the LGBTQ community. Currently, I am working on completing and publishing a novel under this umbrella.
 
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
I entered a full script into the Wiki Screenplay Contest.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
My all-time favorite movie is Desert Hearts, heavily influenced by a childhood watching John Ford/John Wayne westerns. I love the imagery. The Searchers is also a favorite.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
The best writing advice I’ve received is to not submit anything I’m not passionate about. Also, proofread and proofread again!
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m also currently working on a feature-length script, focusing on a teenage girl in a stereotypical Italian-American family who has dedicated her life to surfing. When she figures out she’s in love with her best friend, life gets complicated in her Jersey beach town.

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