AJ CASTRO
&
​LEANDRA TERRAZANO
​

 PictureAJ CASTRO
How did you discover The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
AJ: I heard about it online. I was submitting to another contest and saw the words “Santa Barbara.” Being a big fan of the city, I had to find a way to get involved.
Leandra: Los Angeles!

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
AJ: I’m based in Los Angeles by way of Miami by way of Costa Rica. So Latin roots with American pride.
Leandra: I claim Montreal, Atlanta and LA.

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? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting?
AJ: Leandra and I worked on this one together. We have two kids, the same age, who met in preschool and became great friends. Their friendship brought our families closer, and we wanted to give a voice to parents everywhere who are just doing their best to keep it together in the crazy world of parenting.

How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
AJ: We draw inspiration from our daily lives and wanted to share moments that remind people it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Life is messy, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time.

What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
AJ: For Keeping It Together, Leandra and I met countless times over Zoom to develop the story. I focused on keeping us on pace and breaking the story structure, while Leandra really honed in on the dialogue. We divided the families—I'd write scenes for Family A, she’d write scenes for Family B. Then we’d edit each other’s work and collaborate on the C story.

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?
AJ: It took us about eight weeks. We started with a beat sheet, which turned into an outline, and eventually into the script itself. We went through nine rewrites before doing a table read. Hearing it out loud helped us identify what worked and what didn’t, leading to one final pass.

How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process?
AJ: Just write. Even if it’s terrible, even if you fill a line with “blah blah blah” because you don’t know the exact words yet—just write. Shonda Rhimes says “medical medical” when placeholders are needed, and that philosophy stuck with me. I like to visualize the scenes in my head. With 20 years of acting experience, I often think about how the scene would be shot or how it would sound, which helps me stay in the creative flow.
Leandra: The blank page is terrifying! But I take it one word at a time and try not to stress the finished product. The minute I’m not enjoying it anymore, I know it’s time to take a break. Walks to daydream, voice memos back and forth with friends, and consuming other art that inspires me usually gets me back on track.

What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
AJ: We used Final Draft—of course. We love it. For this project, we also kept a shared Google Doc full of ideas, which was invaluable for our collaboration.

How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
AJ: I have to feel a personal connection to the contest. Something about it has to speak to me. It’s easy to get caught up in the “contest” mentality and stress over results. For me, contests are a fun way to get your script read—and whatever happens, happens.
Leandra: Same.

Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it?
AJ: I didn’t think I was “worthy” of being a writer because English is my second language. I overcame that by taking workshops, classes, and learning through failure. Putting in the reps builds confidence.
Leandra: I came to LA to act, and admitting I wanted to write as well was really nerve- wracking. I wanted to be taken seriously without spreading myself too thin and I was scared people would judge me for wanting both things, instead of picking a lane. I definitely had loads of imposter syndrome as a writer initially but the more I owned my wants, and the more I wrote, the more confident I felt that it was where I needed to be.
​
PictureLEANDRA TERRAZZANO
Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter?
AJ: I want to write and produce my own content. Ideally, I’d love to both write and act in my productions.
Leandra: Writing for a hit show on TV, duh! But truly, I want to be collaborating with people to make art that others can turn to when they want to be entertained, connect with their friends and family, or when they need relief from the day.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
AJ: To write projects that excite me and to build my own production company to distribute them. The wheels are already in motion.
Leandra: To write, executive produce, and star in a series. Maybe even direct, but let’s not get crazy. The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence?
AJ: Honestly, who knows? Without a crystal ball, I can only say that sometimes you have to take the next step without knowing exactly where it will lead. I write because I love it—and that’s enough. Technology, like AI, can be a helpful tool. I use ChatGPT for grammar checks or to get alternative ways of phrasing something. When used the right way, it’s helpful. But art is human.
Putting yourself into your work is irreplaceable.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
AJ: For TV, I always go back to Seinfeld and The Office for comedy the characters are rich and the jokes are high level. Lost or 24 for drama, the pacing and the edge of your seat feel is exciting to me. I crave to write that style of cliff hanging, “must watch the next episode” type of show.
Leandra: At risk of being much too broad— all writers? I’m inspired by anyone who has ever dared to write something. I think we live in a time where the need for real human artists is so urgent.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
AJ: I love a good musical—it’s my guilty pleasure. Moulin Rouge is a big one for me. I’m also a sucker for heartfelt stories like Jerry Maguire, and I love silly comedies like Tropic Thunder and Ace Ventura.
Leandra: I hate picking favorites! AJ did a good job with this one.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
AJ: Just write. Write because it makes you happy. Good writing doesn’t come from hate-writing; it comes from passion.
Leandra: If you’re writing something that lights you up, it’ll show. When you’re moved by something, and lit up by it authentically, I think that’s infectious. The work always comes before the accolades.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?)
AJ: I have a fun pilot that won BEST PILOT at the UCLA Professional Writing Program and was a semi finalist in the Humanitas awards among other awards, about the first female head coach in the NBA. I also just finished a high-concept procedural dealing with angels and demons. Lastly, we’re working on a prequel to Keeping It Together.
Leandra: I’ve teamed up with an incredible female-led production company for a book to series adaption, I’m in the scary blank page page phase for a drama feature I’m writing and of course AJ and I are cooking up more things, especially in the Keeping it Together world.

Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.)
You can find me on Instagram @realajcastro. My co-writer, Leandra Terrazzano, is also on Instagram @leandraterrazzano.