HYTEN DAVIDSON

&
CHRISTIAN MISSONAK
​

 PictureHYTEN DAVIDSON
How did you discover The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
We came across the contest via Filmfreeway and, after combing through reviews and researching online, felt this one had a lot of integrity and prestige to it and were excited to submit.

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
New York City.

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? What inspires your overall journey into screenwriting?
This one came as a response to watching various action movies where the father/husband/dude rescues a woman from some sort of corrupt underground organization, and felt there was a point to be made about all the unsaved women lingering in the background of these scenes. That, paired with inspiration from the work the nonprofit “Help Save the Next Girl” is doing, helped
form the story.

How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
As a writing team with wildly different interests, we’ll take this one separately. Hyten prefers plot-driven stories in the thriller section with themes of redemption, self-actualization, and man v. nature conflict. Christian loves smaller character studies, writing about people who maybe aren't doing okay at the beginning of the story and maybe aren't doing okay by the end, but
they've taken a step in the direction they need to go.

What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
We’ve got two kids under two, so finding time to write is a gamble and a constant negotiation. But between juggling a few tasks at once and some lost sleep, we still get pages done.

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?
The first half took about three years to get done, while the second half took about three months.

How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process?
Since we live together, there’s really no place to hide from writer’s block. We’re pretty forceful about pressuring the other to turn in pages.

What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
Final Draft!

How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
We really value the chance to meet and chat with other filmmakers and writers, so any competition that offers that type of community is a strong motivator to submit.

Can you share a specific challenge you've faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it?
Hyten – I think a normal challenge is creating something that feels right on paper but ultimately doesn’t translate visually. It’s tricky to anticipate, but becoming a producer myself has taught me tons over the years about what a scene really needs at its core and what can be cut out.

Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter?
Continuing our work both as individual writers and as a team, producing our scripts and collaborating with others on set.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To build a life out of crafting stories and sharing something somewhat useful to the world.
PictureCHRISTIAN MISSONAK
The film and television industry is constantly evolving. How do you see the role of screenwriters changing, especially with the rise of streaming platforms and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence?
Since we both come from theater backgrounds, there’s something really precious and irreplaceable about live, authentic performances and storytelling. As AI becomes more prominent, I think truly original works will just become even more sought after.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Hyten – Sean Baker, Mike Flannagan, Gillian Flynn, Mark Duplass
Christian – Aaron Sorkin, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Richard Linklater
Both – Kenneth Lonergan, Martin McDonagh

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Hyten – Favorite Movies: Amadeus, Misery, Jaws
Christian – Favorite TV Shows: The West Wing, Mad Men, The Leftovers

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
No idea! But we feel very lucky.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?)
Our previous co-writing effort, a psychological thriller feature titled “Something of a Monster” will be released in 2026. Follow along here:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29425345/ and at
@soam_film on Instagram.

Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.)
Hyten- www.hyten-davidson.com and on Instagram @hytendavidson
Christian – www.christianmissonak.com and on Instagram @christianmissonak
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