LUKE KALTEUX

ALSO ON SITE

1. What is your screenplay about?

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry obtains a coat that puts him in hot water with Cheryl, gets him banned from a restaurant, and thrown out of a Special Olympics benefit.

30 Rock: When Liz is out-bossed by a dog who constantly outsmarts Jenna, Liz must take the reins from a sick Jack and fix the damage caused by Tracy's accidental promotion...All in time to coax back a very important SWEEPS week guest star.

2. Why did you decide to write this screenplay?

Curb your Enthusiasm: When I started writing the script, there weren't many self-contained half hour shows that I was watching. A few, like "Arrested Development" and the "The Office" had caught my eye, but were floundering in the ratings or were brand new, respectively. I was taught not to write specs for shows in their first or last seasons and I was a huge fan of Larry David's "Seinfeld" and knew "Curb Your Enthusiasm" was consistently funny and constantly challenging comedic appropriateness. Larry David is the guy you love to hate and I really wanted to tackle that and challenge myself to be gracefully inappropriate.

30 Rock: I've always been a fan of SNL. So not only was I a fan of Tina Fey, but of Alec Baldwin, one of SNL's leading and arguably funniest guest hosts. I watched "30 Rock" from the pilot through the entire first season and waited to find out if there would be a second. And when NBC announced it would be returning for its second season, I hurriedly finished a side project so I could immediately begin outlining my "30 Rock" spec.

3. How long have you been writing screenplays?

I've been writing short films, sketches, and movies since high school. I would write in Microsoft Word with a format I THOUGHT was correct. I taught myself basic screenwriting principles reading online versions of scripts. It's amazing what you can learn simply comparing varied drafts of some of Hollywood's best screenplays.

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

The Simpsons.

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

Clint Eastwood. His demeanor is exactly what you want in a boss or co-worker. He keeps shorter days for his crew, adamantly distastes yelling on set, and is extremely supportive of underdog screenwriters, directors, and actors. That guy has his head screwed on straight, and he's spent more than 50 years in the industry. That says a lot about his character and his roots, and I admire that.

6. How many screenplays have you written?

I have three spec scripts. 30 Rock, Curb, and CSI: NY. I also have about 10 short films and sketches. I have a screenplay in its second draft and two others I'm just beginning to develop. Lately, I've been focusing on my three television pilots.

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

Writing for my own network television show. Ideally.

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

I wish I did. I've never been huge on outlines, but when I was preparing my CSI:NY spec, I learned a great deal about myself and my methods as a writer. That was the most challenging script I've written. It became so congested with evidence, suspects, and regular cast members that I was forced to create a board. I wrote out scenes and sub-scenes on notecards and laid them out all over my floor and wall. I retooled the structure for that script so many times, that if I hadn't done that, my script would still be a mess in my head. I used that early on in the development of my "30 Rock" script and it kept me on a pretty solid track.

When working on features, I tend to let my mind wander. I'll come up with the concept and then my imagination will pop images into my head. I do my best to dramatize those images. In the end, most of these scenes don't end up in the final script, but they help me find the characters and the tone of the story -- a kind of springboard from which to navigate from.

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

Directing and drawing. I love directing. I love the discussions about character and the process of finding the perfect shot. I was fortunate to have a lot of willing and helpful friends in high school and college that supported me by letting me douse them in rainwater and roll around in the mud so I could write and direct my "masterpieces." It's a bug that bit me unexpectedly but that I haven't been able to shake. And all of my interest in film came out of my love for drawing comic books. I've since turned my ability to draw into a filmmaking tool, and I storyboard my shots whenever possible.

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

Withoutabox.com helped me find WILDsound's script contest. It was great to see another avenue in TV spec writing..

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

Write. Keep writing. There's always going to be another writer working on something and you have to beat them there and continue to grow and evolve in the fundamentals and style. I learn by doing. There's only so much a book or a seminar can convey and if I have four hours, I'd rather spend it writing than reading about writing. That's just my learning style. I learn from my mistakes or by seeing something visually that's not working. I can't just get the tips and train myself not to make mistakes or write flawlessly. To me, that's too calculated. Writing is organic and generally in the moment. So write and write and write and MAKE TIME to do it!

Luke Kalteux, Luke Kalteux