DANIEL WILLIAM PERO
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I live in Tampa, Florida.
 
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 wanted to complete the story of an incredible hero, someone I fell in love with through three scripts, my protagonist, Katherine Willis. When I typed “The End”, it was the end. I cried, because I lived with this character through “Dire Straits”, “Dire Straits II” and this last script, “Dire Straits III”. Her story is one of courage, steadfastness, honor, service and finishing her mission. And now she was gone. Katherine Willis never surrendered.
 
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 took about six weeks, but I continue to tweak it. This was the last script in my Dire Straits trilogy, so, my characters, particularly Katherine Willis, were developed. They had their voices and their personal histories. What took the longest was finding the right story for this heroic, strong, dynamic woman and doing my research. I needed the blend of action and drama that fit her and would be a logical conclusion to her story. Interestingly, creating a “Dire Straits” trilogy was never the plan. At the end of “Dire Straits”, Willis had more to do, further to grow, so I wrote “Dire Straits II”. And at the conclusion of that script, it became obvious to me that “Dire Straits III” would conclude her journey. And what a journey it was.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I’d like one script to be produced. That’s all. Just one. It would be a dream come true, if this was the one.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
I always liked Rod Serling.  His insightful teleplays explored so many genres and introduced Americans to science fiction. The unusual and disturbing events that enveloped his characters often had uncanny twists and macabre surprises that delighted me. For the most part, the anthology series holds up well in reruns.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Loved “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”  Watching “The Closer” taught me how to transition scenes in creative new ways and to move my stories along.  I’m also very fond of “Dexter.”
“Miracle” is at the top of my movie list, the incredible story of America’s 1980 upset of the Soviet Union at Lake Placid. I’ve seen “Body Heat” probably twenty times. And “Rocky” was practically a nightly companion when it debuted in 1976. It kept me company for several months until my new bride and I could be together in the same city. It brought a lonesome guy to his feet cheering with the final bell of every fifteenth round.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Do your research. Know the voice of your characters. Try not to overwrite. Don’t be afraid to throw out your best stuff, if it doesn’t move the story forward. Have fun. Enjoy the writing experience.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I have just completed a political “Body Heat” called “Cutthroat”.  I actually submitted it to this competition. The scoring and analyst notes have helped me improve the story. Here’s the logline: When a gubernatorial Chief of Staff is seduced by an ambitious Lt. Governor, their clandestine affair spirals out of control and spawns a curious reporter’s explosive investigation into the LG and her family.

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