SAM SARANTOS
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SAM SARANTOS

 What inspired you to write a script rather than a novel or short story?
First of all, I do love to write novels also. However, I’ve always seen stories in motion - not just words on a page, but scenes unfolding, music swelling, faces revealing emotion. For me, a screenplay is the perfect fusion of sound, vision, and soul. It lets me merge my backgrounds in songwriting, filmmaking, and storytelling into one cohesive art form. Where novels live in description, screenplays live in feeling and that’s where I really thrive.

Was there a specific film, TV show, or personal moment that first made you say, “I want to write like that”?
The first time I watched Good Will Hunting, I remember thinking, “That’s what I want to do - write something that feels real, messy, human, and unforgettable.” That emotional honesty hit me like music. It showed me that authentic stories about ordinary people can be extraordinary.

What’s your writing routine like?
I write every day. It’s second nature at this point. Since 2014, I’ve released new music, a book chapter, a poem every month and I have over 60 screenplays on my hard drive. My process is steady and instinct-driven. I don’t wait for the muse; I show up, create, and let the muse catch up to me.

When starting a new script, how do you shape your ideas?
It usually starts with a “what if” moment - a feeling or line of dialogue that lingers. From there, I build a loose outline, but I don’t over-plan. I like to discover the story as I go. I’m most inspired by theme and character - the emotional heartbeat comes first, and everything else follows.

How do you handle writer’s block or self-doubt?
I outwork it. Writer’s block doesn’t survive long against momentum. If I’m stuck, I switch creative modes - I’ll write a song, edit a lyric, or take a walk. Self-doubt is part of being human; I let it exist, then move through it. I’ve learned that consistency beats
confidence every time.

What tools or rituals are essential to your workflow?
Final Draft for screenplays, Logic for music, and a Apple Notes or voice memos for ideas that hit me at 2 a.m. My ritual is silence. I build a creative bubble where time doesn’t exist. That’s where stories breathe.

Do you write with production realities in mind, or let the vision lead?
Vision first. Always. I never want to limit a story before it’s had the chance to live. Once the heart of the story is beating strong, I’ll tighten the production lens like trimming budget-heavy sequences and focusing on what truly matters emotionally and visually.

When a scene isn’t working, what’s your go-to strategy?
I ask myself: “What is this scene really about?” If it’s not moving the character or emotion forward, it gets rewritten or removed. Sometimes I’ll step away and come back with fresh eyes - or play a song that captures the scene’s mood. Music often shows me what words can’t. Entering some contests and getting reviews has been great for showing me what to trim, cut or rework.

How many scripts have you completed, and how many are unfinished?
I’ve written over 60 screenplays with countless drafts and experiments sitting on my hard drive. Some are unfinished because I’ve  evolved past them; others are waiting for the right time. Every project, finished or not, teaches me something new about story and self. I’ve been writing nonstop since third grade, but screenplays probably since eighth grade.

Have you earned recognition in competitions?
Yes - 21 screenwriting awards so far, with a 74% selection rate in festivals I’ve entered. I treat contests as both benchmarks and classrooms. The feedback has been invaluable, especially when it confirms I’m communicating the emotional core of the story. I have learned so much and it’s made all of my screenplays better. I’ve probably rewritten each one of the ones out in the world at least 15 times.

Have you promoted yourself beyond contests?
Yes. My platform,  connects all my creative outlets - music, books, and screenplays. I also host The Songwriter Show, reaching audiences in 206 countries. It’s been an incredible way to share not just my art, but my process. The visibility has been effective - not overnight, but steadily, organically over the last 13 years. I’m also a proud member of the Recording Academy.

Have you pitched to producers or taken meetings yet?
I’ve begun doing both. I’ll be attending next month my first AFM. Over the last few days I just finished meeting with about 14 people at the Online Hollywood Pitch Festival Each and I was very well received. Every meeting was favorable and I was told my pitching was excellent. I got contact information for all of them except one, that was working on something similar to what I presented. Each meeting taught me that the business side of screenwriting is really the relationship side. It’s about listening, adapting, and presenting your story as a shared opportunity, not a hard sell.

Greatest strengths and weaknesses as a writer?
My greatest strength is emotional honesty - I write from the heart, and audiences feel that. My weakness? My screenplays tend to be on the longer side. I struggle to cut scenes I love, even when I know I should. I’m learning to trust that what’s left behind can make what remains even stronger.

How do you balance writing with your day job?
Being a board certified, Plastic surgeon is my day job and writing my weekend and night job . Between music, books, and scripts, I’ve built a life centered around creation. Balance comes from passion; when you love what you do, work and life merge naturally. I lose track of time when I’m writing and its never stressful or forced.

What message or emotional response do you hope audiences walk away with?
I want people to feel seen. My stories are for outsiders, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever felt too weird to fit in. I want them to walk away believing that imperfection is beautiful and that their story matters - because it does.

What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m focused on “The Heart Remembers,” a deeply emotional drama about love, memory, and second chances. It’s my most personal script to date - a meditation on what we carry and what we let go of.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself continuing to write and create screenplays, while continuing to release music. The plan? Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep creating without compromise. I’m looking to partner with some creative producers, directors and distributors in the business that want to work with me and I think we can have a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Write fearlessly and write often. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t chase trends. Be your own studio, your own advocate, your own fan. The industry notices passion but first, you have to ignite it in yourself. A simple piece of advice in Steve Martin’s
autobiography really resonated with me – Get so good, they can’t ignore you. That’s really what I’ve tried to do with my music and my screenplays. I think creative people spend too much time badmouthing the industry, telling themselves they’re not lucky or don’t know anyone important etc. Any weakness or advice anyone has ever pointed out to me, I take to heart. I just keep trying to get better and improve or eliminate that weakness. That’s all you can really do. I think you have to stay flexible and adaptable as I see a lot of people think that their stuff is perfect and they don’t tweak or change anything. It’s all about editing and rewriting…

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