STAN RUBAKHIN
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How did you discover The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards and how did you decide to enter this contest among all the others?
InkTip recommended your contest.
 
Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
I’m from Ukraine and I live here.
 
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?
I’m screenwriter/editor with credits in Ukraine. Inspired by my grandfather's legacy as a writer, I embarked on a journey to carve my own path in the literary world. My career spans various jobs across Ukrainian television, contributing to notable shows such as “Legal Proceedings,” “When We Are Home,” and “Criminologist,” in addition to serving four years as a script editor for “Up-Hub”, a prominent Ukrainian production company. This extensive experience, highlighted by my review of over two thousand screenplays/synopses/pitches, has significantly enriched my storytelling prowess.
 
How do you decide which stories to tell, and what draws you to these particular themes?
I incorporate important messages and ideas, such as love, dignity, sacrifice, and mutual assistance, into every piece of his work. I think it’s really important for our society these days. 
 
What is your typical writing routine? How do you structure your workday to stay productive?
 
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?
Yes, I use something like index cards, but only as written scenes in Word file. Because it's more convenient for me.

How do you handle writer's block or moments of doubt (we all have them) during your creative process?
It is very difficult to get inspired and write comedies when there is a war in your country, sirens are blaring or explosions are heard. But I force myself to do it, because the world, and especially Ukraine, needs kind, funny and inspiring stories.
 
What tools or software do you find essential to your workflow as a screenwriter?
Celtx.
 
How do you approach competition entries, and what have you learned from participating in these contests?
I am convinced that positive results from such competitions with professional judges from the industry, as The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, help producers/managers look differently at writers.
 
Where do you see yourself in five years as a screenwriter?
In the next five years I’m planning to get credits in US market and also to create my own Ukrainian production company to shoot incredible low-budget features /TV series for international market.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
I want my scripts to motivate, amuse and inspire people even decades later.
 
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?
To my mind AI it’s just a tool and it can help screenwriters to create good and not expensive animation, for example.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
The Farrelly brothers, James Cameron, the Duffer brothers.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
The Lord of the Rings, Terminator 2, Interstellar, Pulp fiction, The Heartbreak Kid, Dumb & Dumber, Meet the Fockers, Breaking bad, Stranger Things, Friends, Modern Family, How i met your mother, etc.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Read books about screenwriting. Read scripts, watch movies/TV series EVERY DAY. And kick your own ass to write or edit at least one page in a working day even when you don’t have the inspiration. It really can wake up right while you're working.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? (links to your projects?)
My family comedy feature "I, Brownie!", "Imaginary Friends" meets "Family Switch", got other recognitions.  
 
Semifinalist in Roadmap's 2023 JumpStart Competition.
Quarterfinalist in Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards.
Quarterfinalist in the Pitch to Page Screenwriting Contest – Comedy Scripts.
Finalist in Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards. 
Four competitions - four results. To be continued... :)
 
Right now I’m working on my next script, rom-com feature. I really have no doubt that it will be in demand in today's market and destined for great success.
 
Where can the world find you online? (Social media links, etc.)
If you want to know more about me and my projects you can find me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/stan-rubakhin-2a3b3749

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