REENITA M. HORA

Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I live in San Francisco, 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?
The script is an adaptation of my YA comedy novel, ‘Operation Mom - My Plan to Get my Mom a Life and a Man.’ The original story (in the book) is set in Mumbai where I grew up. The screenplay version sets the story in the USA.
 
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?
I wrote the actual the screenplay in a month but then continued to revise it for a year before I received this award. It has been through several rewrites and revisions.  I absolutely outline my stories. I would love to work on a white board…let's just say, I use my laptop as a ‘digital white board’ listing plot points, scene ideas, character traits etc.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I would like to work with a producer to turn this screenplay into a film. I am committed to South Asian storytelling and would like to bring our comedy to film/TV audiences. There are only a handful female-driven South Asian comedies out there, and very few that do not specifically focus on a wedding theme. I want to change this - as a South Asian storyteller, we have a treasure trove of stories to bring to audiences — themes and topics that will resonate and that audiences can identify with, so I am very keen on getting past the stereotypes.  I have other screenplays that I have written as well - my YA fantasy screenplay, ‘Shadow Realm’ was a finalist in the Winter 2023 awards. 
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
I am so inspired by these cutting edge comedy writers who write female-forward stories that are daring, say it like it is, take chances, go against the grain and really resonate with the struggle that ordinary people go through--
Jonathan Ames - writer of 'Bored to Death’
Mike Judge - writer of 'Silicon Valley’
Wes Anderson - writer of 'The Royal Tenenbaums’, 'The Grand Budapest Hotel’
Judd Apatow - writer of 'The  40 year old Virgin’
Larry David - creator/writer/actor, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
David Crane & Marta Kauffman - Creators of ‘Friends'
Quentin Tarantino - writer of ‘Pulp Fiction’, 'Reservoir Dogs'
I love writers who can create the comedy blueprint for actors like Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro --
John Hamburg & Jim Herzfeld - writers of ‘Meet the Parents',  ‘Meet the Fockers’
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
For TV, I would say ‘Hacks’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘Friends’
For Film,  ‘Sound of Music’, the Harry Potter films, ‘The Graduate’, ‘Godfather’
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Take the time to hone and develop your story, don’t ever submit the first draft. Writing is all about the re-writing — that goes for every single script. And write your true story. Do not play to the stereotypes.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
My YA fantasy story, 'Shadow Realm’ was a finalist in the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards. My book and pilot, 'Ace of Blades’, about RK Malhotra the pioneer of India's razor blade industry. It’s ‘Succession' meets ‘The Crown’ set in India.

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