SCREENWRITER: Michael E. Bierman (Atlanta , Georgia
Q: Michael…when did you write your first screenplay?
A: Mid-2012. I was disappointed with the quality of sides
from scripts my daughter, [actress] Erika Bierman (Hunger Game: Catching Fire,
etc.), was receiving. I bought The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier and Your
Cut To: Is Showing by T. J. Alex (both highly recommended) and taught myself to
screenwrite. My first screenplay, a short, took Top 25 Scripts at PAGE.
Q: To date, approximately how many screenplays have you written?
Q: To date, approximately how many screenplays have you written?
A: Six original features completed; 55/70 pages done on my
seventh original feature, The Grocer; one rewrite on a CAA untitled packaged
feature project in development—in production; one co-write on a feature; one
script doctor credit on a feature; two script doctor or other writing credits
on shorts; new idea in development for my eighth feature; four shorts.
Q: Which screenwriting competitions have you entered and
seen through to a final result?
A; PAGE Awards (pending), Stage 32 Happy Writers
(finalist), 8th Annual StoryPros Awards (finalist), ScreenCraft Comedy
(semi-finalist), Horror Screenplay Contest (finalist), MoviePoet (finalist—top
5 scripts), Circus Road Screenplay Contest (semi-finalist), Nashville
(semi-finalist), 72 Film Fest (finalist), ScreenCraft's Horror Screenplay
Contest (semi-finalist), Emerging Screenwriters (finalist), ScreenCraft Family-Friendly
Screenplay Contest (semi-finalist), Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest (4th
place), London Film Awards (finalist and honorable mention), Screenplay
Festival (finalist and semi-finalist), WriteMovies (semi-finalist—top 5%), Screenplay
Festival (finalist), London Screenwriters Festival (finalist and honorable
mention).
Q: Approximately how many screenplays did you write prior to
entering your first competition?
A: I entered my first screenplay.
Q: Did the competition(s) offer feedback—notes, critique,
etc.—on the script(s) you entered? If so, what was the quality of the feedback?
A: Many offered. I bought a couple feedbacks. A few came
free. I won a couple. Some were useful, most were NOT useful. A number clearly
had not read, thoughtfully considered, or understood the screenplay.
Q: Did any of the competitions you entered try to hit you up
for pay-based services, such as script consulting, proofing, etc.?
A: Yes, several did….I won a StoryPros deep analysis valued
at $500 for taking 2nd place with The Fad in their annual competition. I used
it for Rust, and the analysis was exceptional. I did not take all of the
advice, but carefully considered everything. I did take some of the advice. It
helped me improve Rust.
Q: If you won or placed high in a competition, did it have
any effect, positive or negative, on your career?
A: Not directly, but the added oomph to the resume almost
certainly helped me land a couple paid jobs. 32 contest awards, still no
representation, although I have admittedly barely tried. I had hoped someone
would finally take interest. Perhaps they will eventually. I have been
approached by an A-list producer who has repeatedly inquired about scripts. Very
slow developing, but still in touch.
Q: What types of prizes (monetary and non-monetary)
have you won from the screenplay competitions you’ve entered?
A: Analysis, software, books and laminated aides. No cash yet, even with
Q: Other than any material rewards and/or valuable feedback,
what have been the most satisfying aspects of winning a competition?
A: The affirmation that I am a skilled screenwriter. Getting
interviewed, and improving the resume. All the awards seem to get me taken
seriously, at least by Indie people and other writers. A number of professional
writers have asked to read my screenplays, and have liked them or raved about
them. As far as insiders, it is rough sledding.
Q: OK, let’s say you’ve just won one of the big
screenwriting competitions. What can a writer expect to happen?
A: Some exposure. Hopefully, professional reads and meetings.
Maybe getting signed with a rep. Perhaps optioning the screenplay.
Q: Have you ever submitted one of your early screenplays
into a competition? If so, is it something you now regret—and why?
A: No regrets.
Q: Do you feel that adding "I won/placed high in the
[name of script comp]" to query letters and pitches prompted any
additional interest from agents, managers and/or production companies you
queried?
A: I would imagine it would, but have sent only a few
queries. A single response, no interest; they had a similar project in
development. I did only send to industry leaders.
Q: Overall, what do you feel were the positive aspects
of entering a screenplay competition?
A: Affirmation, exposure…adding to the resume.
Q: Overall, what do you feel were the negative aspects
of entering a screenplay competition?
A: They cost a lot of money and yield very mixed results. A
screenplay that failed to make the first cut in a lesser competition will often
be a semi-finalist, finalist, or winner in a better competition.
Q: What is your current status as a screenwriter?
A: I have been paid or am under contract to be paid
for several legitimate projects, one top-notch. Still writing and hoping to
make it bigger. I have perhaps four IMDb credits for writing, all on other
people's projects.
Q: Any parting comments, thoughts, or words of advice for
screenwriters considering entering a competition?
A: Enter no screenplay before its time. Learn to format correctly
and thoroughly. Not just the basics. Buy the two books I recommended and
actually read them. Get rid of camera direction and almost all shot direction. Do
not use “We see” or any of that garbage. Rewrite it and be clever, without the
use of “we” and “us.” Write well, proofread endlessly, and constantly try to
improve. Don't get discouraged by a single failure. In my experience, there are
many bad readers out there. If you can't get past the bad reader, the good one
that will recognize you as talented and your work a gem will never see it. KEEP
TRYING.
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No witches, no warlocks, no vampires.
Just a sexy, rollicking story about a guy trying to hit it big in Hollywood.
"A great summer read!"
"A sexy Hollywood tale!"
"It's WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN for the 21st century!"
Check out my book, Q & A: The Working Screenwriter! Interviews with 16 working screenwriters!
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost
to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
No witches, no warlocks, no vampires.
Just a sexy, rollicking story about a guy trying to hit it big in Hollywood.
"A great summer read!"
"A sexy Hollywood tale!"
"It's WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN for the 21st century!"
Check out my book, Q & A: The Working Screenwriter! Interviews with 16 working screenwriters!
1 comment:
Interesting read Mike!
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