ROSALYN ROSEN
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?  
Austin, Texas
 
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?
RED SEA was originally a play. It was inspired by my family dynamics growing up with parents who are Jewish Holocaust Survivors. 
Plays were my first art form. I love how the action/tension moves forward through dialogue. It is also a way for me to dramatically pursue questions about human behavior. 
 
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?
Since RED SEA is a screenplay adaptation of my play, the main development was done while I was writing the play. I did numerous drafts in a play development workshop with my brilliant dramaturg, Marla Dean.
It was a pleasure to adapt RED SEA into a screenplay. My goal was to not lose the essence of the play…keeping it character and dialogue driven. My favorite films are character and dialogue driven, like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To see my screenplays produced. Particularly, my screenplay adaptations of my plays.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
Ingmar Bergman because of his intimate exploration into what drives people to make the choices they do.
Woody Allen for his dramatic and comedic brilliance.
Steven Spielberg for his ahead of the curve zeitgeist.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Movies – Sophie’s Choice, Face to Face, Manhattan
TV Shows – Breaking Bad, The Americans, Mad Men
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Development. Draft after draft. Dream about it. Work with talented Dramaturgs and Development Coaches. Don’t stop developing, no matter how long it takes. Drink in the process. 
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
I am also a filmmaker. My first film is an adaptation of one of my plays titled THE OTHER KIND. It was in 22 film festivals and won 15 awards and has distribution with Indican Pictures.
I am currently casting another adaptation of one of my plays, MAX AND MARIA. I will be shooting it in 2024.
 

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