ROBBIE ROBERTSON
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country?
A former resident of L.A. and NYC, I now live in Columbia, South Carolina (USA).

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?

I've always loved the work of Tennessee Williams and Shakespeare, so I wanted to make the two together and came up with DENMARK—a reimagining of Hamlet set during World War II in a small, southern town. DENMARK expands from the plot points of Shakespeare's most famous play to also look at underlying issues of racism, class disparity, subjugated women, repressed sexuality, and post-traumatic stress disorder that was rampant in a World War II era, small southern town. With homage to the lyrical language and flawed southern women of Tennessee William's most classic works, I felt the limited series format would be the best medium to bring this story to life.
 
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 took me a while because I fleshed out the limited series beyond the pilot I created. It always starts in outline form and then onto a beat sheet, coinciding with a deep dive into each character's full history.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I want to write and produce feature films and content for broadcast, cable, and streaming channels.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Billy Wilder is my favorite screenwriter. His versatility is so inspiring to me.  To jump from dramas like SUNSET BOULEVARD and THE APARTMENT to comedies like SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, he is a role model who refused to get pigeon-holed into one genre, and he was able to succeed in all.
 
What's your all-time favorite movie or television show?
My favorite movie of all time is Wilder’s SUNSET BOULEVARD. It shines a light on old Hollywood and has drama, humor, pathos, some of the best dialogue in cinematic history, and performances that make me watch it repeatedly.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
My advice is to NEVER GIVE UP and don’t take yourself too seriously.  And also create your own content. It's such a fickle business, and only until I started making my own short films did I start to reach another level.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I am excited to see what happens next because I have two comedies under option with two separate production companies right now. I will be the first to update you on my website, robbierobertsonwrites.com. And follow me on Instagram at @robbierobertsonwrites!

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