CHERRY BENNET

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1. What is your screenplay about?

Obsession and how it can colour every aspect of your life. Or I suppose it could be about a genuine commitment to one’s job!

2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay?

The original idea came from a radio script I’d written that the BBC didn’t want. The estate agent theme, and estate agent speak, lent itself to radio. I liked the script, didn’t want to let it go so I re-visited it and turned it into a TV short.

3. How long have you been writing screenplays?

Since 2003

4. What is you all-time favorite film? (name only one)

Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery

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

Michael Mann

6. How many screenplays have you written?

Four plus one short film script and two one act stage plays.

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

Reading other people’s scripts and finding the money to bring them to stage/screen

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

Hopefully a seed or a flash of an idea comes first. Then a character, usually the antagonist, as I’ve been told I tend to write on the antagonist. Once I have an idea for a story I agonise over the resolution. Once that’s done I just write it. With first draft over I re-read the script and realise I’ve written rubbish. I then go for a second draft. It’s not until I’m many drafts in that I start to look at the conventions of scriptwriting and then I ask myself questions about the script and the story. I am very character led and become very attached to my characters. I also re-draft for England as I can’t read my script without editing. I try hard to follow the traditional Hollywood rules of scriptwriting. They invented the genre and I think they know what they’re talking about.

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

Animals, The English Countryside – in fact anyone’s countryside!

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

The quality and enthusiasm of the scripts, writers and people involved. I like anything that’s ‘get up and go’

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

Get to know your characters. Have favourites and develop them. Always try to give them something relevant to say – not just dialogue for the sake of saying something. Work hard – write, write, write

Cherry Bennet, Cherry Bennet

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