JULIA SONG
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I grew up in Los Angeles, California; however, I alternate between LA and New York, as I go to school at NYU Tisch.

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?
David Henry Hwang’s play, M. Butterfly, was a big inspiration for my film. The themes of race and identity paired with the performativity of both the characters and the stage-play medium itself inspired the approach I took with my script. I also took inspiration from my own lived experiences, as someone who grew up with easy access to the internet. For me, writing this story as a script felt right, especially due to the aspects of performance involved in the story itself. The script format allows me to fully lean into that while also creating a visual and auditory world for the audience.

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 went through a lengthy writing process. It took about 3 years and several iterations of the story to get to the final product. My process is a conglomeration of outlining and using index cards, but is primarily made up of peer review and notes sessions. Hearing feedback from a variety of people guided me through the writing process as my story evolved, taking in their feedback while also staying true to the story I want to tell.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate goal as a writer is to make an impact as a storyteller in today’s industry by enriching media representation with authentic, nuanced stories and voices.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
I am inspired a lot by Korean-American filmmaker Justin Chon, particularly his films Gook (2017) and Ms. Purple (2019). His ability to explore and represent multitudes of identities with compassion and authenticity while creating a colorful, textured world is something I strive for.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Oh man, that’s really hard… My top three shows (in no particular order) are How I Met Your Mother, Breaking Bad, and Bojack Horseman. And my favorite movie is Don Hertzfeldt’s It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012). The writing is raw and honest, and the animation and execution creates its own form of visual storytelling I’ve never seen before.

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
My advice is to just go for it. I honestly didn’t expect to place and receive any awards for this script, but here I am. It’s easy to keep your work to yourself and within your circles, but don’t be afraid to branch out and share it with the world. If you are speaking from your heart and telling a story that you believe in, you have nothing to be afraid of. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome, you will learn something.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I’m currently preparing for the production of this film! Yellow Tinted Glasses is actually the script for my senior thesis film at NYU, which I hope to eventually develop into a feature. If you want to follow along and support the production of my film, make sure to follow @yellowtintedglasses on Instagram! I have a wonderful team of talented filmmakers helping me bring this story to life. I hope to see you there!

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