Write of Passage Short Screenwriting Competition 2024
Our Winner is Kelly Endersby from Los Altos, CA with help from Development Executive Alicia Schudt-Schechter. Her story, “Nana’s Attic” is about a greedy grandson who, finds something more valuable than assets lost in grandmother’s battle with dementia.
Kelly Endersby wrote the best 12-page screenplay in one week (168 hours) with an advisor called a Development Executive (DE). Both are interviewed below.
Prizes include cash (to the writer, and to the DE) and writer introduction to Hollywood Pros, including Brian Bird ("The Case For Christ" and “When Calls The Heart”).
Any WP script may be produced for the 168 Film Festival's Write of Passage Spotlight. Writers and mentors (DE's) receive screen credit if their film is made.
Some Quotes From This Interview with Kelly Endersby:
- “Each obstacle, and how it is dealt with, can be placed in an internal filing cabinet to be used in some form in a future creative project.”
- “Living in a global hub for technological innovation, and the wealth that follows such innovation, draws me to tell stories that encourage more personal interaction and flag the dangers inherent in an over-reliance on and idolization of technology and AI. A novel I wrote last year deals with this very issue.”
- “One of my plays was selected to be performed at the San Jose Tabard Theatre’s 10 in 10 Production. The play had to be based on one of ten paintings by local artists. (2017)”
- “I am currently dealing with a parent who has dementia, and it is heartbreaking.”
The interviewer is John David Ware (JDW). “WP” means Write of Passage. We asked some probing questions and got probing answers.
INTERVIEW:
JDW: Tell us about yourself. What do you do for work?
KE: I am a retired teacher and a mom of wonderful children. I feel so thankful to have retired before the schools in our area shut down, as I felt so badly for both the teachers and students who had to try and navigate that difficult time remotely. Recently, I completed a biography of a blind, impoverished Dominican woman whose faith in God, despite daunting hardships, has never wavered.
JDW: Tell us about your family and where you live. How has your environment and family shaped your writing? What obstacles have you had to overcome in life? How have they helped your writing?
KE: I live in Northern California and have a lovely, supportive husband, children and extended family. I don’t take this for granted as I know what a blessing this is. As far as obstacles, we all face them. Some are big, some small. But each obstacle, and how it is dealt with, can be placed in an internal filing cabinet to be used in some form in a future creative project.
JDW: What do you see as some differences between telling stories in your region vs. other places?
KE: What an interesting question. I guess I would say that living in a global hub for technological innovation, and the wealth that follows such innovation, draws me to tell stories that encourage more personal interaction and flag the dangers inherent in an over-reliance on and idolization of technology and AI. A novel I wrote last year deals with this very issue.
JDW: How did you learn about Write of Passage (WP) &168 Film Project?
KE: I had been researching upcoming writing competitions, and this one caught my eye. I am always intrigued by competitions that have parameters, like time deadlines, and I loved that the theme was a Bible verse.
JDW: Is this your 1st time in WP? Have you won awards, been optioned, etc?
KE: This is my second time entering the WP contest, and I will definitely do it again. What a wonderful way to be steeped in the Word. As far as awards, etc., here is a brief list of some of them:
- I was chosen as a semi-finalist for a play I co-wrote for the Gary Marshall New Works Festival. (2022)
- One of my plays was selected to be performed at the San Jose Tabard Theatre’s 10 in 10 Production. The play had to be based on one of ten paintings by local artists. (2017)
- I was selected to participate in Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s 48-Hour Festival, and my play was chosen as Audience Favorite (2016) and runner-up Audience Favorite (2018).
- I had a young adult novel, The Fifth Sun, published by a Christian publishing company, Trail Media, which sadly is no longer in business.
- I wrote the screenplay for an independent feature film that was the Official Selection at two film festivals and was picked up by a distributor. (2021)
JDW: Besides the verse, what inspired you to write “Nana’s Attic”?
KE: I am currently dealing with a parent who has dementia, and it is heartbreaking. She has been a wonderful role model for me my whole life, and I’m continually struck by her optimism and grace in times of lucidity, despite her depressing circumstances.
JDW: How did this year’s theme hit you? Describe your journey from theme and verse?
KE: When I first saw the theme, I researched all the Bible verses that mentioned money. I was amazed at how many there were, some of which I had completely forgotten. That, in and of itself, was a helpful exercise to get my head in the right place. So many admonitions, and rightfully so. Then, when the verse was posted, I prayed. Prayed for guidance. Prayed that the story would honor God and shine a light. And these prayers continued throughout the whole process. I brainstormed several ideas but woke up the morning after the verse was posted convicted to tell a different story. That became “Nana’s Attic”.
JDW: Describe your faith journey?
KE: I have always believed that God is real. I attended church and knew all the major Bible stories. But then, in my early twenties, someone encouraged me to read the Bible cover to cover, which I did, and it changed my life. I still have that Bible with all my pencil notations in the margins.
JDW: How are you planning to shape the story going forward? Any plans to make the film?
KE: I would love to see this story become a full-length screenplay. I think it would be interesting to give more backstory on the characters to show how they became who they are.
JDW: Tell us about your pursuit of the arts?
KE: Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been an avid reader. My love of books then parlayed into a love of writing. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have been able to pursue this passion at different times in my life.
JDW: How did your Mentor/Development Executive, help shape your story?
KE: My DE was fantastic. She was incredibly responsive and gave excellent suggestions to help me pare the story down to the required twelve pages.
JDW: Tell us about your writing process.
KE: Once I have an idea, I like to come up with a general outline and then a detailed backstory for each character. Then, I ask myself, “Do they further the story? Are they believable? Is everything they say and do consistent with their personality?” Sometimes, the story changes as I get to know the characters better. Like many writers, I keep a notepad next to my bed, since some of my best ideas come to me in the middle of the night.
JDW: How has WP helped you grow as a writer? Would you recommend it to others?
KE: I would absolutely recommend WP to others. It has helped me grow as a writer by honing my skills—forcing me, in a good way, to try and tell a compelling story with an interesting arc in very few words.
JDW: What are your plans for the future?
KE: My hope is that the biography that I just completed, can be made into a film that will move and encourage people to use their respective gifts to help those less fortunate. I would also like to collaborate with others on creative projects, such as films, that honor God. And, of course, God willing, I will continue to write.
JDW: Anything else we should know about you?
KE: I love listening to and playing music. I have two plaques on my piano—Psalm 100:2 and Psalm 118:14.
DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW:
Alicia Schudt-Schechter (AS), Development Executive
JDW: Where are you from and what do you do?
AS: I am originally from New York, but now live in Los Angeles. I’m a writer-producer and cat wrangler.
JDW: You (may be / are a) frequent participant in WOP and 168. What have you learned? Do you still find it useful? (You are /Are you) a first time DE? How did you like shaping and leading the writers?
AS: I have participated in the WP as a writer, a DE, and as a jury member in competitions since 2017. Each has its own benefits, but I find the interaction with the writers focusing on their stories is the most valuable.
JDW: What do you see as some differences between telling stories in your region vs. other places?
AS: Since I’m from NY and CA, I identify as bicoastal. Many of the writers I’ve worked with are from middle America or out of the country. Language and customs vary and often I have ask what they meant. I always learn so much from my writers!
JDW: How has being a DE in Write of Passage helped you grow? What have you learned? What would you tell writers about the experience.
AS: I always learn more from the writers than they do from me. Taking a Bible verse and molding it into a workable script is so worthwhile, it’s like having God as your co-writer. It’s a chance to help them dig into the Word and let their imaginations fly to create something special.
JDW: What are your plans for the future?
AS: Dodging earthquakes and living on residuals.
JDW: Anything else we should know about you?
AS: You know too much already.