DON WALLACE
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I live in Los Angeles.

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?
My script is inspired by a true story about my experience as an ex amateur and professional boxer, training in O’Connell Park Boxing gym in Queens, New York. I learned many lessons as a boxer and also from my coach. And the experiences were so incredibly rich I decided to make a story out of it. I chose to write a script because along with acting, writing screenplays has always been a passion as long as I can remember. I’ve always been drawn to it. I’ve never really had any interest in writing short stories or a novel, although I do love reading them.

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?
This script took me several months to write. I wrote a version of a it a few years back and just decided to put it away because I felt it wasn’t ready, but I’ve always been drawn back to it. I guess when the time was right I got back to it and wrote it again. I normally start with an outline. For some reason index cards make me feel scattered so I try to just stay in the zone of the story and keep filling in the outline till I think I have enough and then I start the process of actually writing the script.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ambition is to get my own show, preferably on a streaming service or cable. I’d like Star, write and executive produce my own show.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Steven Zaillian, Taylor Sheridan, Shonda Rhimes and Frank Military. Steven is incredibly talented and writes such amazing and layered characters, Taylor Sheridan and Frank Military are so incredibly gritty and honest. Their writing is somewhat poetic and alway nuanced. Their characters always beautifully complexed and their storylines, no matter how harsh are always grounded in absolute truth. I could watch their shows every day. Shonda Rhimes is everything that I love a about television writers. She always has fascinating characters and stories and it’s fun to see how she tackles such interesting subject matters in all of her shows.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Another tough question. I’d have to say La Vie en rose is my favorite movie and The wire is my favorite television show. Both brilliantly written.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Stay present, keep writing and know that hearing the word no always means you’re one step closer to yes.
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I wrote a feature film that is a really exciting project to me and I have two pilots that also have some interest. I actually dislike discussing projects until something actually happens. I’m weird like that. :) 

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