Ashleigh Awusie
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? 
Those who know me know how funny this question is because of my transient life BC (before Covid). Currently, I live in Jersey City, but originally from Harlem.
 
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? 
Wow. What a compliment. Thank you.
Short answer. I needed to scream but couldn’t find my voice. So started baking and then eating a lot of cake.
Long answer. At the start of the pandemic, I had taken a 30-day screenwriting challenge that changed my life. Prior to that I had only written short stories, poetry, plays. It allowed my imagination another vehicle…more mileage; and I wrote my first tv pilot, then continued to “journal” through a more cinematic lens.
 
I wrote Cake (my very 1st film ever) after losing my long-time day jobs last year. This pandemic has put us all through the ringer in different ways. I think losing that gig after losing so much was the straw that broke the camel’s back if you will, and Cake explores that lonely, brokenness via dark comedy. What happens to a person when they are stripped of everything they’ve built, nothing makes sense and there’s no release? How many people walk around in this silent battle? Cake is a “fly on the wall” moment of just one person’s life in this city (NYC) as she tackles the uncontrollable while planning her grandfather’s bachelor party.
 
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? 
Initially, Cake started as a late night free write. I needed to release but couldn’t. So, from that inability to scream, cry, etc I formed the first scene and the rest followed. All in all, it took me about 2-3 days to put together the puzzle pieces of my emotions and the characters. Then I sent it out to my trusted few as I continued to make edits over the course of a month.
 
I think having worked in other facets of the entertainment industry allowed me to let the story shape my approach. Keep my creativity fluid. For some projects I have my wall plastered with index cards because I am a visual, physical person. I will almost always talk to myself as the characters to bring clarity to their voice or even act out some of the actions to see how it feels.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My dream of dreams as a writer, artist, creative is always to unite through storytelling. As a Ghanaian-Panamanian woman, who struggled with a not so visible disability, the exploration of diversity and intersectionality will forever live within my work. It’s all about entertaining, educating, and empowering people while celebrating the unique city that raised me and the diverse stories of the “everyman” that inspire me.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why? 
There’s a lot of good, interesting writing coming out these days. This is hard. Eric Kripke with Supernatural & The Boys seems to have so much fun with the worlds and characters he creates. Takes a lot of chances. Issa Rae. Honestly, I will forever be inspired by her journey. Her storytelling captures the awkward, every day navigating that sometimes you just need.
Also, Ins Choi for Kim’s Convenience. Really enjoyed that show. Many immigrant and cultural parallels to an African household. Hilarious and well written.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show? 
Another impossible question lol. I mean who doesn’t like Rocky and the story behind it. Just rewatched and the characters, dialogue and believability still hold up.
Tv show. It’s a tossup between Absolutely Fabulous, Golden Girls, Living Single, and Simpsons.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Write to grow not to win. Give yourself and your creativity grace and a chance to develop freely by taking the pressure away. Enter for the feedback. Make edits. Build connections and relationships. Have fun.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
​Acting and teaching projects have been taking precedence, but I am hoping to finish a silent short and sci-fi feature by spring and maybe shoot Cake. That’s the dream…but that’s how it all starts right?

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