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.
Baby Boomers Can Dance
Written by Pam Price
What motivated you to become a writer?
–I love going to movies and was always fascinated by the movie making process. I especially enjoy dance movies such as “Saturday Night Fever”, “Grease”, “West Side Story”, and “Dirty Dancing” I always dreamed of writing a Musical which would give viewers as much pleasure to watch as I enjoy while viewing these Musical classics.
Starting on a blank page is not easy-where does your creativity come from?
–When I sit at my computer, I shut my eyes and visualize a scene. It is as if a movie is playing in my imagination. After viewing a scene in my mind, I open my eyes and quickly try to write the scene before I forget all the details I envisioned. I try to capture the dialogue I have heard as the characters interact with one another and the look of the setting.
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. I know that budget is a big consideration. For my Musical/Comedy “Baby Boomers Can Dance”, I wrote all of the twelve original songs. The permission to use the songs comes as part of the purchase price for the screenplay thus eliminating the costly negotiations that can come with purchasing songs for a musical. Because my screenplay uses some animation, which can also be costly, I have taken courses at the Vancouver Film School and learned to do simple video rendering I also belong to an animated film making group and we experiment making animated videos together. Thus, with my small group of two other people, I could do the Figurine-Style animation for “Baby Boomers Can Dance” at a very low cost to the producer. Also, due to budget constraints, I limit the number of scenes in the screenplay and select scenes for which it is easy to find a location (dining room, basement suite, etc.). Finally, I avoid animals, children, car chases, and explosions in my scripts as this can also add considerable expense to producing a movie.
What is your dream for this project and what other ancillary revenue do you think it could generate? Please include script title in reply.
–My dream for “Baby Boomers Can Dance” would be to have it shown in a theatre or as a featured on-line event to a multi-generational audience including Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millenials. The Baby Boomers could enjoy a nostalgic walk down memory lane from references to people and events from the past (Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Woodstock). The Gen Xers and Millenials could enjoy the animated comedy figures (Mr. Tonguo, The Four Hair Follicles–a Barbershop Quartet). Revenue could come from sale of the twelve original songs and from figurines or dolls of Mr. Tonguo and The Four Hair Follicles. I would like to see this film promoted for Mother’s Day. Research shows that what mothers want most for Mother’s Day is to spend time with their children (in this case, adult children). People spend more money to celebrate Mother’s Day than any other holiday except for Christmas. A choice for Millenials and Gen Xers could be to take their mothers to see “Baby Boomers Can Dance” on Mother’s Day. I would be fun if some theatres would have special showings where the audience could sing along with the songs in the movie. This has been done with “The Sound of Music” and “Rocky Mountain Horror Show”.
How has your experience been with screenwriting contests for this project so far?
–I have just received a letter from the “Global Music Awards” that I have received two music awards: I have won a Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement for my song “Lost Children” in the category of ‘;lyrics/songwriter and listener impact;content/message delivery’. I have won a Bronze Medal Award for my song “Music School–Psycho Style” in the category of ‘lyrics/songwriter’.This information is now posted on the Global Music Awards website. I feel it is important to mention my Music Awards because my screenwriting genre is Musical/Comedy.
–I have placed as a quarter-finalist in the following three screenwriting competitions
-Chicago Screenplay Awards
-American Screenwriting Conference
-Atlanta Screenplay Awards
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.
–I would like them to know that this project could be the “Blair Witch Project” of 2020 in that it could be made with a low cost budget but have “High Concept” appeal due to the twelve original songs and use of figurine-style animation. In other words, i think an investor would be able to make money and perhaps a considerable amount of money because of three things:
- Low Budget
- High Concept Appeal (songs and animation)
- Mother’s Day release to capitalize on holiday when people tend to spend a lot of money
I would like them to know that I am a very reasonable person to work with, have a good sense of humor, and am committed to getting this project made. I am willing to listen to others, compromise, and make changes for the sake of producing as good a film as possible for the fun and enjoyment of the audience.
Do you have any website links for your writing, credits, background etc.