VP BOYLE
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VP Boyle

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Brooklyn, NY

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 originally was developing it as a 10-episode musical anthology series prior to the pandemic. When everything got shut down and then the writers’ strike followed, I tabled it and was working on other things. I literally popped out of bed one morning earlier this year and had a little voice in my head say, “You should rethink String Lights as a standalone film.” So I did.

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?
That’s hard to answer because I developed the pilot and series bible for a couple of years, so sitting down to “write the screenplay” was really a creative deep dive into figuring out the puzzle of an intertwining ensemble film. I took structure inspiration from some of my favs: Magnolia, Crash and Love, Actually.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I would like to impact 10,000 lives in a powerful, measurable, transformative way (for the better!) with my creative legacy before I die.
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Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice?
Full script. Go big or go home, right?

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why?
If I only name one, you won’t “get me.” But if I name my top 5, you have a great understanding of how I see the world: The Color Purple (original), Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix, Finding Nemo and The Half-blood Prince. Really, the entire HP collection, but…

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Give it a shot. It’s a snapshot, not a final destination.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
A new theatre show for a very well-known cruise line, a holiday movie script that has a dark, dramatic bite
to it—and a children’s book featuring my French Bulldog: Betty in the Big Apple.

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