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Andre Ramon Rivers
Fifth Place
 
Winner

Interview

Andre Ramon Rivers

PSYNAPSE , Science Fiction

I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter when ....

I was a junior in college. I was taking a writing course and my professor suggested that I try my hand at writing for film because my writing style lent itself to that genre. Also, movies are cool!

I know I've succeeded when ........

I walk through the aisles of Borders Book store and see a replica script of something I've written. An Oscar won't be so bad, either.

When did you write PSYNAPSE?

I wrote Psynapse last year. I started the end of November and polished it
off just a few weeks before your contest deadline. Isn't that convenient?

What inspired you to write it?

My love of Japanese animation really inspired me to write Psynapse. I had
always wanted to see an Anime on the American big screen and I felt that
this script would be a good introduction to what I feel is a deserving,
albeit, unappreciated film genre.

How long did it take you?

Surprisingly, it only took about three months to write Psynapse. Of
course, it took me another three to rewrite it.

Tell us about your first writing experience (screenwriting).

My first experience in screenwriting came in the spring of 1998. I entered a contest Disney had given in their search for young writers. It was a disaster. I had to wait until two days before the deadline for my application, and I rushed out some sit-com about college kids in New York. What I failed to realize was that Disney wasn't looking for Pilots, but rather specs. They even returned my script and wrote a letter telling me as much. It was a bit disheartening, but a good learning experience.

Who is your favorite Screenwriter and Why?

My favorite screenwriter would have to be Quentin Tarantino. I really enjoy the way he uses dialogue to move a story along, and his action scenes are very well done as well. He does use a lot of curse words, though...

What are your aspirations?

My ultimate goal as a screenwriter is to become a producer. I don't really see myself directing, but I have a pretty good eye for talent and would love to take a crack at being one of the main guys responsible for creating a film.

When the creative juices stop, what do you do to get yourself on the
right track?

When I come down with a case of the proverbial Writers Block, I sit down and read a copy of X-Men. Not any issue, preferably one written by Chris Claremont in the 1980's. That will remind me why I started writing in the first place. If that fails, I'll watch my favorite film, "The Transformer: The Movie". It makes me feel ten years old again, and no one has a more creative mind than a ten year old.

Where will you be in six years from now?

Six years from now I hope to be in production working on Psynapse part three. (It's sci-fi, guys! Ya gotta do a trilogy!) Hey, being stinking rich and semi-famous doesn't hurt either.

11. Actors and Directors you would like to work with and why?

I would love to work with animation producer/director Larry Houston. He has worked on just about every cartoon I have ever loved as a child from G.I. Joe to the X-men. In terms of actors, I think young Will Friedle is a comedic actor of tremendous potential.

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