Abraham Manuel Calderon

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1. What is your screenplay about?

Paletero is about changing times in an inner-city barrio, and how one man is confronted with those changes in a very violent way. An important theme is community, with all of its ups and downs, the good and the bad. It's about trying to maintain one's beliefs and ideals when the world around that person becomes hostile and threatening.

2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay?

I wrote Paletero because I've always been intrigued by ice cream vendors, or Paleteros, and the role they play in their community. They are ubiquitous in our neighborhoods, and I thought it would be interesting to write the story of a paletero trying to work his way out of a dire situation. I also wanted to portray a situation that in real life, many vendors unfortunately find themselves in.

3. How long have you been writing screenplays?

I've been day dreaming and coming up with stories for most of my life. But I didn't start really putting them down on paper until just a few years ago. It's an exciting process which can be difficult, but very rewarding at the end.

4. What film have you watched the most in your lifetime?

That's a tough one for any film-nerd! It's a tie between two, but I'll just say Apocalypse Now.

5. What artist in the industry would you love to work with?

I would love to work with Spike Lee and/or Francis Ford Coppola.

6. Who was your hero growing up?

I've written about 5 shorts, and am working on 2 features.

7. Ideally, where would you like to be in 5 years?

Ideally, I would love to be a working writer. Either way I'm going to be writing, but it'd be nice to make a living off it.

8. Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I'm not the most organized individual, so I don't have a neat and tidy process. I'll start with the idea of a visual scene in my mind, and from there branch out to a story. I'll think about other scenes I think would be cool, and form a rough outline. Sometimes, ideas will just fly at me, so I'll write a very brief treatment for myself. But from Fade In to Fade Out, that treatment will go through a lot of dramatic changes. It's a very fluid process for me. Also, music plays an immense part on the entire writing process for me. Music really affects my moods, which I incorporate into whatever I'm writing.

9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I'm very passionate about music, but I can't play a single instrument! It's rough! Of course, a passion of mine is film, so I'm trying to get myself more acquainted with the visual aspect of film making. I guess that's why I love film so much. It's music, visuals, and words put together to make a piece of art.

10. What influenced you to enter the WILDsound Script Contest?

Completely by accident, I came across the contest on the web. I'm still finishing up film school, so I haven't really pursued having my work read. I felt it would be a great way to get some feedback, and get out there to meet other writers.

11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

I'm not sure if I'm at a place where I can give advice or tips, but I will say don't get discouraged and keep writing. Get out there and enter contests like this one. Always seek feedback and advice,and have a thick skin about it. You can only get better. Also, always start off writing about what you know. If you feel a connection to what you're writing about, it'll make things a lot easier! Good luck!

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