JODIE ANDERS
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Sylmar, California
 
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?
Kita Manitou was inspired both by a fascination of psychology and my own insight into how I was sidestepping the grief from the passing of my father during 2020.
I wondered what it would be like to talk to his spirit and soon began to wonder what that world might look like for a character if you combined a rich family history like ours, unresolved grief and the ghost of a recently passed loved one.
For Invisible, I drew inspiration from my own youth. I struggled during my school years, hiding parts of myself out of fear until I hit my twenties and begin working on my vulnerability and authenticity. I wanted to craft a story that showcased the mental struggle of feeling invisible and learning to finally be seen after you’ve become physically invisible.
I wrote both of these as scripts because I felt more of these types of stories need to be on TV. I write novels as well, and to me the biggest difference if I were to novelize these is getting deeper into the characters heads via their thoughts.
 
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?
These scripts took me about two months each to write. I spend a lot of time pre-planning before I ever get to the page. I start with my basic idea/character and go through several rounds of questions I have for character and story motivations and obstacles. When I’m happy with the general concept, I’ll move on to a spine of the story structure, and from there onto the outline, which is where I spend most of my time. The outline process is about the only time I’m off computer other than revisions. I love putting the beats index cards and moving them around on my wall, which is one giant story-grid pin board. Once I have the outline where I want it, I charge into the script, which is the easy part for me – I can generally write pretty fast once I’m there. Revision is a whole other story!
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To be honest, I think my greatest ambition is also my greatest joy – to create stories together with others who have open hearts and open minds. Now if I could just do that and keep the lights on, we’re in business! I’d love to be a part of a writer’s room with talented beautiful souls crafting a story together. In the end, whether I write something on my own or with others, my deepest hope is to write stories that help the world in some small way, even if it’s just one person who finds a moment that touches their soul in a healing way or makes them feel seen.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
This one is so hard for me because there are so many individuals I admire but I also think there is such magic when people come together. The first name that comes to mind is Eric Kripke. As a huge fan of Supernatural, The Boys, and Timeless I consistently love his imagination and character interaction – it takes some pretty good storytelling to pull a girl scared of horror into a horror series! Speaking of Supernatural, I am also a huge fan of Sera Gamble. I’ve watched her grow from Supernatural to The Magicians and You and love how she digs into the psychology and different points of views of characters. I mostly admire writers who put themselves out there and explore human psychology/human condition and especially those who fearlessly aim for diversity and bringing stories to the screen that let us shout with joy, “That’s me!” Special shout outs to Russell T Davis, Brad Falchuk the Wachowski’s and Ryan Murphy who also make my list!

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
My all-time favorite movie is When Harry Met Sally – hands down. TV is harder to nail down. Current on-air favorites are Handmaid’s Tale, Doom Patrol, Ghosts, Loki and The Boys.  All time favs are Sense8, This is Us, Legion, Lucifer, Merlin, Black Sails, Shameless, Prodigal Son, Pose, Daredevil, and Doctor Who.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Just go for it! We’re all so incredibly judgmental of ourselves that we hold ourselves back more than anyone else ever will. The best way to get better at a craft is study it, do it, measure your success, and repeat! We all have to start at the beginning. The end is simply when you stop putting the work into your own progress – so never stop! And don’t be afraid to let your individuality shine – weird, unique, different are all words for interesting, new and learning as far as I’m concerned.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m currently challenging myself with a time-travel comedy script – I haven’t tackled comedy yet. I am also editing a Young Adult Dystopian Fantasy Novel I wrote about an illustrator who lives in a city where creativity is punishable by death and an Upper Middle Grade Fantasy Novel I co-wrote about adopted twins from a distant planet.