SCREENWRITER: Eric Stalnaker (
Q: Eric…when did you
write your first screenplay?
A: The first screenplay I wrote was in 1995, after theWorld Trade Center USA
Q: To date, approximately how many screenplays have you written?
A: Nine completed, which includes three features, four series sitcoms, two shorts, with three more features in progress (one at page 105, another at page 48, one in my own development hell).
Q: Which screenwriting competitions have you entered and seen through to a final result?
A: The first screenplay I wrote was in 1995, after the
Q: To date, approximately how many screenplays have you written?
A: Nine completed, which includes three features, four series sitcoms, two shorts, with three more features in progress (one at page 105, another at page 48, one in my own development hell).
Q: Which screenwriting competitions have you entered and seen through to a final result?
A: I entered Crossbow
into Scriptapalooza only. With Dating
Jennifer, I entered it into Scriptapalooza, Script Pipeline, Nashville Film
Festival, and Austin Film Festival.
Q: Approximately how
many screenplays did you write prior to entering your first competition?
A: None prior. At the time I entered, those were the first two screenplays I had ever written.
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: All of these
competitions offered feedback, but I only received it from one—Austin FF. I
seriously questioned some of what the feedback writer wrote. He appropriately
evaluated my characters and story, finding many of my supporting characters
were very solid, but that the main character lacked some depth (which I agree
with). He loved the dialogue and the overall story. However, the feedback
writer went on to question certain events from the story and it made me think
he was confusing my script with someone else’s. The comments he stated
literally made no sense and didn’t fit, once suggesting that one character (a
name I didn’t even have in the script) create more conflict.
Q: Did any of the
competitions you entered try to hit you up for pay-based services, such as
script consulting, proofing, etc.?
A: No.
Q: If you won or placed
high in a competition, did it have any effect, positive or negative, on your
career?
A: I placed as a
semifinalist in the Nashville Film Festival (top 16 in the comedy category). It
has not opened any doors for me as of yet.
Q: What types of prizes
(monetary and non-monetary) have you won from the screenplay
competitions you’ve entered?
A: Silver Pass
Q: Other than any
material rewards and/or valuable feedback, what have been the most satisfying
aspects of winning a competition?
A: Becoming a
semifinalist at the Nashville FF definitely boosted my confidence in writing.
It was the first award of the season, and it pushed me to enter other
competitions. It also inspired me to write more. I had always looked at it as a
hobby up to that point. Since achieving that, I have been writing relentlessly;
two shorts, four episodes of a web series, Faith Springs, that begins
production later this week (look for it on YouTube and Vimeo Sept. 15th—shameless
plug, but I don’t care), and I also have 4/5 of my “baby,” that one screenplay
you truly believe in.
Q: OK, let’s say you’ve
just won or placed high in one of the big screenwriting competitions. What can a writer expect to
happen?
A: I look at it as a selling point. In this business, I’m quickly
realizing that marketing is key. You need to find creative ways to sell the
words on that paper. Having one or two “Finalist” or “First Place
Q: Have you ever
submitted one of your early screenplays into a competition? If so, is it
something you now regret—and why?
A: I have never
regretted entering a competition. I do look back and say, “There was no way I
was going to place with this screenplay (Crossbow).
It has a great story, but the main character was so shallow. Eventually, I’ll
go back and refresh it again, and try to breathe new life into that character,
but I’m too busy now.
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: Again, I always
viewed my writing as a hobby and never really pursued it to a level of trying
to sell it. The script that placed, Dating
Jennifer, breaks the rule of open roles for characters (a guy wins a date
with Jennifer Aniston), so unless she or a close associate of hers is
interested, it won’t do much I assume. Honestly, I’ve just never taken the time
to try to get interest with it.
Q: Overall, what do you
feel were the positive aspects of entering a screenplay
competition?
A: Overall, I’m glad I
placed in a competition, albeit only one. It definitely gave me the motivation
to write more and do more with it.
Q: Overall, what do you
feel were the negative aspects of entering a screenplay
competition?
A: I would probably
say the money. Each competition is $40-$50, and after entering a few, that’s a
good chunk of money I’m out. Being a school teacher, it’s not like it grows on
trees.
Q: What is your current
status as a screenwriter?
A: Well, now that my
web series is being developed and produced, I guess I’m an official
screenwriter. But I’m not quitting my day job. I’m going to continue working on
my “baby," plus the other that’s more of an independent, low-budget character
driven piece. Also, the production company that is shooting the web series
sitcom likes Crossbow, and we may
shoot parts of it and release it as shorts. Plus, I’ll continue my craft,
learn, and get stronger as a writer.
Q: Any parting comments,
thoughts, or words of advice for screenwriters considering entering a
competition?
A: Just write it.
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