19/11/2024
Q&A with our Best Short Screenplay Winner from Spring 2024: Tammy Klein & her script, ‘Bridge to Anymore’
🌟What was the inspiration for your winning script?
Several factors inspired this story. I’ve always been drawn to military narratives and enjoy books by former Navy SEALs. Although I served as a mechanic, many of my friends experienced combat during their tours in the Middle East. I was fortunate not to serve in conflict, but I often wonder what kind of airman I might have been under such pressure.
Another key inspiration came from a short film I saw in sixth grade, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce. Combining these ideas, I envisioned my character—a former Marine—sitting alone on a trestle bridge on a hot summer day. From there, I filled in the rest of the details.
🌟Describe your writing process. Do you work from an outline...or do you just start with FADE IN?
I work from an outline. I need to have lines to color in. It's way too easy to stray off track and forget where I’m going.
🌟Was your winning script a first draft...or had you received coverage that helped improve your work as a second or third draft?
I wrote the first drafts of my screenplay in a class taught by Carrie Wilson at LAVC. She liked my work and encouraged me to develop it further. My writing partner, Glenn Campbell, also provided feedback that helped me strengthen the story.
At the end of the semester, I submitted Bridge to a contest (which I won't name) to receive early coverage. The feedback was encouraging, but the reader noted that, given the prevalence of stories about soldiers with PTSD, my script felt a bit cliché. He suggested adding a twist to make it stand out.
As a fan of sci-fi anthology shows like The Outer Limits, Black Mirror and Love, Death & Robots, I decided to keep most of the original story while adding five more pages and tweaking it to create a sci fi twist at the end.
🌟Which film or television writers have inspired your work...and how?
Ronald D. Moore: He had/has a hand in much of my favorite sci fi.
Steven Moffat: Coupling is wonderful for its tight intelligent banter.
David Kelley: Again, many of his shows such as Boston Legal have tight banter in addition to interesting characters.
Nora Ephron: Strong quirky female characters, warmth. Her films make you feel good. Mario Puzo: The Godfather’ script is a masterpiece of word economy.
Craig Mazin: That third episode of Season One of The Last of Us was amazing. He got away with stuff my film school teachers and writing partner dislike, but I thought was wonderful. It's good to be the boss.
🌟What’s your #1 favorite movie or television series...and why?
Oh geez, that’s tough. It used to just be Star Trek (TOS), but there are just too many good shows and movies out there. However, I am anxiously awaiting the next seasons of The Boys, The Last of Us, Bridgerton, Reacher, Black Mirror, Good Omens, and Love, Death & Robots. I’m also binging a lot of K-Dramas lately.
🌟What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?
Sorting out my ideas. It's hard sometimes to find a clear path through the forest of ideas that want to be chosen.
🌟What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a prestigious contest as you have?
Don’t quit. Every time you write, you get better. And though its preferable to learn from other people’s mistakes, learn from your own as well. I make lots and try to learn from them all!
