INTERVIEW WITH KAI?SHARIFFBy Heart Shapr?, Nevada Branch council member
As some of you probably already know, I have written a couple of books on Elvis Presley, the most recent being?Why Elvis Left the Building: Revealing Seven Lost Years, The Child?? The Man?? The Truth. I am in the process of turning the book into a screenplay, and recently I had the opportunity to talk with Kai Shariff, co-CEO of the Television Film Producers & Artists Association and Organizer of the Las Vegas Screenwriters Group. Ms. Shariff is a passionate advocate for screenwriters and their journey to success. The Las Vegas Screenwriters Group was founded in May 2003.
Heart: What is the screenwriters? perspective of the industry?
Kai Shariff: Screenwriters understand that the industry is an ever-changing trade and it takes commitment, practice and skill. Most people forget the most important thing screenwriters need to master to be successful, which is storytelling. Many people always ask how you get your script sold or TV show picked up. And I always ask, "Do you have a finished script?" because there is no point fretting about selling something you have not even completed yet. And if you finished your script, "Have you invested in hiring a script doctor, script coverage or pushing it through a writers group for feedback?"
I do not recommend the writer write to the market of today only. Write what you know uniquely and with memorable scenes and characters. It would be a good thing if you could begin the new wave of direction with your story. A great and unique and compelling story sells in the present market. Making sure your screenplay is up to par is the key to screenwriting success. After you have done all you can to perfect your script, then and only then should you ask the question, "What do I do now?"
Well, getting an agent is pertinent when trying to get a studio executive, producer or actor to read your script, but if you are savvy enough at selling yourself you may get lucky. So I encourage my screenwriters to go to events and meet people. Hollywood is a tight-knit group and is built solely on relationships.
This industry has many avenues, and there is not one way to get your script read and ultimately purchased. But the most important thing is to have a great story!
Heart: Is this why you organized Las Vegas Screenwriters Group?
Kai: I was motivated by a desire to see the art of the writer exposed to other writers in order to come together and bounce their writing off each other without the judgment of the public. Writing is a lonely craft, and it is important to have a place to speak out our language, ideas, character and stories. It is a place where new writers and seasoned writers learn from one another.
My thanks to Ms. Shariff for taking a few moments to share her thoughts with us.
First published in the Nevada Actors Screen Actors Guild Newsletter, November 2011
green eggs and ham wiz khalifa and amber rose oh the places you ll go blunt amendment justin bieber birthday read across america vikings stadium
No comments:
Post a Comment