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I knew I
wanted to be a screenwriter.......
When I was sitting
on a beach on a Greek island and every time I closed my eyes I
pictured myself sitting at my computer in my tiny apartment writing a
script.
I know I've
succeeded.......
If I can make a
living writing.
My inspiration
to write QUALITY TIME.......
My widowed mother got remarried and moved into a retirement community.
The retirement community just opened my eyes to a whole different
universe. I became interested in exploring the theme of "living with
death as a way of rebirth."
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FilmMakers
Magazine:
What inspired you to write?
Ken
Kristensen: I learned to love reading at a young age. After that, storytelling just
came naturally.
FilmMakers Magazine: What did you do to prepare yourself
to write your first script?
Ken Kristensen:
I found the script for The Stunt Man on the DVD. I love that
movie. So I read the script out of curiosity, and studying it gave me
confidence to write my first feature script.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Is this your first script and how long did it take you to write
QUALITY TIME?
Ken Kristensen:
I've written many scripts, both shorts and features. This script
took about three days to write a first draft.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Do you have a set routine, place and time management for writing?
Ken Kristensen:
I like to write
outdoors if possible, or in cafes. Usually I'm most prolific when I'm
reclining on the front porch. I can write any time of day, but the
most productive time is late in the day or at night when the tide is
low on
distractions like email.
FilmMakers Magazine: Do you believe screenplay contests
are important for aspiring screenwriters and why?
Ken Kristensen:
Competition is a
great motivator and barometer. I like the fact that a script
competition gives me a deadline and bit of an indication as to how the
work measures up.
FilmMakers Magazine: What influenced you to enter the
American Gem Short Script Competition?
Ken Kristensen:
It has reputable backers, it's not too expensive to enter, and it
has cash prizes.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What script would you urge aspiring writers to read and why?
Ken Kristensen:
JFK by Oliver
Stone. It's incredibly complex, mixes genres, dozens of characters and
subplots, and the most artful use of exposition. A work of
jaw-dropping genius.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Beside screenwriting what are you passionate about and why?
Ken Kristensen:
Journalism and
documentary filmmaking. There's a purity of truth in both that you
can't get from any other source.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?
Ken Kristensen:
Alvin Sergant. From
Paper Moon to Ordinary People, to Spider-man 2, this guy can write
truthfully about all walks of life and he understands friendship,
love, and rivalry better than most.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the director you would love to work with and why?
Ken Kristensen:
Tim Burton. Burton's sense of humor and dark themes speak to much of
my work. His style is unparalleled.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Name the actor you would love to work with and why?
Ken
Kristensen: Denzel Washington. He's a force of nature who makes everything around
him rise to another level of greatness.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
Any tips and things learned along the way to pass on to others?
Ken Kristensen:
The thing I've learned is that the more you write the better you get.
Don't spend years on one script. Finding your voice as a writer takes
a lot of writing and you need to move on to the next script in order
to find it.
FilmMakers
Magazine:
What's next for you?
Ken
Kristensen: I'm now trying to raise financing for one of my features and get another
feature into the hands of the right producers and actors.
FilmMakers Magazine: Where will you be five years from
now?
Ken
Kristensen: Writing, producing and directing film and television for a living. |
