CELINE FOSTER
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Los Angeles, CA.
 
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?
I wrote “Flop Era” as a script because it feels like real life. The story is inspired by the disillusionment that hovers over Gen Z and my personal experiences trying to piece together a life that looks so different from the one I planned. It feels like conversations I have with my friends, like experiences I’ve lived myself as a Black woman. With that in mind, I felt it was important to write the story as a script to make it feel more lived-in.
 
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?
I’ve been working on this script for a little over a year. Typically, my writing process is similar to excavation. I like to start by using an idea as a chunk of clay, and by revising, iterating, and clarifying my vision over several drafts, I can pull the final version of the story to the forefront.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate ambition as a writer is to be a showrunner.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
As a digital sketch writer, director, and producer, I’m really inspired by writers like Quinta Brunson and Issa Rae who shared their work with the Internet before they transitioned into television.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
My all-time favorites are constantly shifting, but currently, my favorite movie is “All About Eve.”
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
My advice is to keep revising! This script has gone through several iterations in its lifetime, and each one has helped the story develop more. I am so grateful to the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards for their recognition and support.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
It’s a bit different from “Flop Era”, but currently, I’m working on a Black queer romance set in the 50s.