WRITER PROFILE
It’s always great to get together with a large group of writers and investors and keep up to date on what’s new, the screenplay contest, any recent deals, new dealmaker contacts, agents or managers that are looking and simply encouraging everyone to keep going after every dream in this difficult industry. For the hard working writer we want to do as much as we can to continue the exposure and word of mouth in the investment circles of the industry. Another way we do this is with writer interviews that we send far and wide and showcase at all possible meetings and markets.
We want to encourage your writing spirit, motivate you and again give you the accolades you so deserve.
A YEAR IN SUGARLAND
Written by Deborah Syna
What motivated you to become a writer?
I grew up back stage, with my parents, both in theatre and performing arts, in New York City during the heyday of Off and Off-Off Broadway. The first play I wrote was in tenth grade, a three act play about my parent’s divorce. I got a “C.” Perhaps I was too on the nose? I continued writing in fits and starts, but when I retired from my clinical neurology practice, I began writing in earnest. Today, I take part in screenwriter groups and table reads six hours a week exploring my work and providing feedback to others. I love stories. Listening to them, watching them, writing them, and reading them. Visual storytelling feels intuitive and the lean nature of screenwriting is appealing.
Starting on a blank page is not easy- where does your creativity come from?
My medical career inspires character and story. A woman in a male dominated profession (Neurology), I am drawn to the underdog’s arc, with intense focus on personal identity and the trans-formative power of physical, psychic, and emotional upheaval. My work is influenced through personal connection to the story, setting, or theme.
Do you write projects knowing that so many other factors need to happen to get it to screen and does that come into your project creation?
Yes. My focus is craft in my story, character, settings and dialogue, but I am conscious of cast, crew, cost, and audience. Timing is everything. I am passionate about my stories, and network to find those who can collaborate and champion them, to get my work before an audience.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate?
A Year in Sugarland, explores the nature of personal branding and identity theft in the context of Cat Phishing or an internet romance scam. The FBI estimates that over $742 million has been lost in 2022 alone, in the U.S. and believe only 15% of crimes are reported. Scammers live all over the globe as do their victims. Almost everyone knows someone, a family member, friend, or co-worker yet believe that it never could happen to them. Cat Phishing stories are popular in documentaries, the news cycle, and reality TV shows such as Dr. Phil. The audience for this work is adult, senior, and global. Everyone loves it when the scammer gets it in the end. Distribution would be national, international, and through streamers, or networks focused on the adult and senior audience. Cyber-crime is a hot topic with many government, and non-profit groups. Many would be interested in this cautionary tale such as the FBI, AARP, Western Union and other international banking agencies.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
A Year in Sugarland has received many accolades including Top 18% in the Nicholls Fellowship competition, Second Round twice at the Austin Film Festival, and Quarterfinalist at the Big Apple Film Festival 2022.
If you could stand in a room full of investor partners looking at many projects what would you like them to know about you and this project?
A Year in Sugarland is inspired by true stories. Three of them. My family was affected directly, and my communications with the FBI, and ATF have inspired much of this work. My husband works for a multinational bank in wire fraud. Everyone is surprised, amazed, and finds the stories unbelievable. But they are true. And common. And they can happen to anyone. A sucker isn’t born every minute. A sucker is made every minute.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background, etc that you would like to share?