CHAD HUTSON
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Bonney Lake, WA. A city south of Seattle.

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? This was my very first script I wrote. It started out as a feature, but over the years I started receiving feedback the story had more to say. Many encouraged me to write this as a pilot. It’s partially based on my own experience as a photojournalist, years ago.
 
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?
It’s been an evolving project over five years, starting out as a feature script. My outlines start with my characters. I develop detailed bios on them so I can get to know them a little before placing them into the story. From there, I rough out the story, identifying the major beats in each act and arrive on a document that will guide my writing of the script. But I’m not opposed to simply sitting down and knocking out a few scenes of an idea I have. That organic writing approach has been extremely helpful at times.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
After years as a journalist, then a marketing/communication executive, screenwriting is my Third Act. I would welcome the opportunity to be staffed on a show. I’m also aiming to have one of my scripts produced one day.
  
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Alex Garland, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Damien Chazelle are writers who I have read frequently and always come away with ideas to improve my storytelling. They are all writers who say so much with limited words - a skill I continue to strive for and incorporate into my own writing.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Right now, The Bear is my favorite TV show. Each episode is a master class in storytelling. Favorite movie is so tough to narrow down because I enjoy so many different genres. From purely a storytelling perspective, I would choose Ex Machina.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Enter only the best contests - the toughest to win or even get into. Put your work up against the best and see how you measure up over the years.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m excited to begin two different scripts, but both are based on real events. The first is a drama feature focusing on the most famous Bigfoot hunter of all time who also was a world-class anthropologist. He never got the respect from the science community due to his search for the elusive Sasquatch. “Grover and the Bigfoot.” The other is a drama feature focusing on the significant role the 9-volt battery played in the spread of rock and roll across the United States and world. “9-Volt.”