Terry Podnar
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​Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? 
Akron, OH
 
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 story came to me early in the morning while I was reading, which triggered the main idea.  My brain somehow took a piece of information and I began to develop it before I even finished reading.  The inner workings of the brain have always fascinated me.  Since my background has always been in film, I naturally wrote it in script form.  There was no other consideration.
 
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?
The finished script took about two weeks.  I have done minor revisions since then. Invariably, I start with a logline or a simple sentence to build around the idea I initially liked.  I use outlines based on the logline, then fill in pertinent details and segues to advance the story in a meaningful way.  Characters are already predisposed in my mind before developing them.  Conflict is considered in every action I write.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
Representation is what I’m looking for at this point.  My ultimate goal, like all screenwriters, is to sell my scripts, short or feature length.  I understand the obstacles; however, I’m in it for the duration.  It’s a passion to write and create.  It would be great to be recognized for doing it.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
My preferences are screenwriters.  Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick, Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, Jane Campion, Federico Fellini, Pedro Almodovar… and the list goes on.  They’re not in any particular order.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
I can’t name one.  My favorite movies are Once Upon a Time in the West, Clockwork Orange, The Third Man, 2001 Space Odyssey, The Conversation, etc.
 
One of my favorite TV shows is The Prisoner.  On the other end of the spectrum, Seinfeld (in its heyday) is my favorite.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Write everyday and take notice of any feedback from an objective reader. 
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Currently, I’m revising three feature length screenplays (not by design):  The Red Zone (sci-fi), Richard Spong (drama) and sandstorm (sci-fi).  As you can see, I have an infinity to science fiction, which is the genre of The Chance.  Every revision, with the help of good comments and suggestions from reputable services, improves the script incrementally.

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