MELISSA BRIDES
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 PictureMELISSA BRIDES
How did you discover The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards and how did you
decide to enter this contest among all the others?
I found this contest through Film Freeway. I like to enter contests that have a good reputation, are affordable and, when possible, are close enough to where I live to take advantage of in-person events and networking opportunities.

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Los Angeles, CA

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?
My short film centers around a group of parents in the aftermath of a school shooting. As a parent myself, my heart stops every time there is another school shooting in America. I wanted to explore the fears and feelings around these incidents, as the people impacted struggle to make sense of what has happened and look to what happens next and how to move forward. I chose the short film format because I love collaborative storytelling and being able to bring a story to life visually and through performances.

How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
As writers we are often told “write what you know” but I had someone once give me the advice to “write what you fear” and that really spoke to me in terms of approaching my work. I don’t mean fear in terms of “I’m afraid of spiders” but bigger, human, emotional fears: as a parent, I fear something horrible happening to my children, which led to this script. But that lens can add depth to anything you are writing. Writing a rom-com? Get into your character’s fear of being alone, not being understood or accepted, never finding their person -- really diving into those feelings and fears leads to deeper and more relatable characters and better storytelling.

What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
I’m a single mom and work full time, so my writing routine varies, which is to say I don’t really have one. I would love to be one of those writers who has structure, set hours, writes 10 pages a day, etc., but I’m not. That said, I always carry index cards and
pens (in my car, in my purse, on my desk) so I can work on scenes on to go. Like most writers, I love a deadline, so I try to stay involved with my writing group and look to contest deadlines to give myself a push.

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 particular script took about a week for the first draft, then my writing group read it and based on their feedback I did a series of rewrites. I’ve worked in television for some time, so I’m used to following that structure for scripts – I break on index cards and then flesh out a very detailed outline. I find the more work I put into the break, the faster it is to write the script. By the time I actually get to the writing, I have been through the story so many times, I know the structure of my story inside and out.

How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process?
I have two go-to moves when I’m stuck – either on the page or in my head. One is to walk, just getting away from the computer and walking around my neighborhood usually clears my head and opens the door for solutions. My second trick is to phone a friend. I am lucky to have friends that are also brilliant writers and it’s great to call them up and pick their brains, tell them what’s not working and ask for help. Writing can be a very lonely process and it’s helpful to have friends who understand the process
and can talk through story with you.

What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
​I need index cards, good pens, my laptop and a playlist. And snacks. Snacks are everything.

How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
I try to look at competitions as another tool in the box. They are a chance to see how people are responding to your work and can lead to other opportunities. I have also learned that judging is so subjective that you can’t get discouraged if a contest
doesn’t recognize your work. I once had a script that didn’t perform well in contests, but got me staffed on a TV show. Just keep going.

Can you share a specific challenge you faced in your screenwriting and how you overcame it?
My biggest challenge as a writer was finding my own voice. Most of my writing is for television where a big part of the job is writing in the voice of your show, which is not necessarily your own. I wish I had some breakthrough or surefire tip, but the only way to find your voice is to write and write some more. What do you want your writing to say, how do you want people to feel when they read your work? It’s important to start there and not on what’s going to sell or impress someone.

Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter?
In five years, I just hope to be working as a paid writer. The past few years with COVID and the WGA strike have been really rough in the industry, so I’m just hoping to keep moving forward and telling good stories.

What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
Ultimately, I would love to be a writer/director, telling stories from inception in my brain to the screen. I love the whole process of filmmaking from beginning to end and just want to be involved in as many aspects as possible.

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?
This is a question every writer I know is asking themselves. I think, especially considering the rise of AI, writers need to think about what makes them unique, what perspective they can offer that would still be surprising and unexpected. I also think writer’s need to expand their knowledge of how their scripts actually become films or shows. Writing the initial script is one thing, rewriting it to accommodate the needs of a production team, locations, actors, etc., is a whole different animal. Being able to maintain the heart and intention of a scene while adapting things to actually bring it to life is a completely different skill set, and one that can’t be duplicated by AI, so writer’s that can do that will always stand out.

Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
For film, I love Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers, both of them are such excellent world builders with sharp characters and
snappy dialogue. In television, I have been fortunate to work with some amazing writers – Terence Winter and Greg Berlanti are two standouts who have taught me so much about writing.

What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
This would be an incredibly long list, I have favorites in every genre and era, but if you are going to make me pick one I
would day When Harry Met Sally…no, Die Hard…wait, Raiders of the Lost Ark…no, it’s The American President…sorry, I can’t do it!

What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Take your time, rewrite, ask for notes, rewrite some more, proofread, have someone else proofread and then, and only then, start sending your work out into the world. People tend to get so excited about finishing a script that they go out fast and wide before the ink is dry. It’s better to wait until you know the script is your absolute best work before submitting it to contests.

What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?).
I’m fortunate to be working on a TV show right now as a Script Coordinator but when I have the time, I am currently expanding my short film into a limited series and have a TV pilot I’m writing.

Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.)
My only online presence is my Instagram which is Melbrides.