We did a deeper dive to get to know our 2023 Michael Collyer Fellowship in Screenwriting winner, Parker Sack! Check out his interview below!
1.) What inspires you?
My biggest inspiration is my family. They have showed me throughout my life how to support others, and dedicate yourself to what you love. Living a balanced life, the example they’ve set for me, is my foremost goal.
2.) When did you know that screenwriting was something you seriously wanted to pursue?
A lot of my reading material growing up was scripts. I was fascinated by the writing style, and the art form of telling stories in that way. I wrote on my own, but was nervous to show my work to others. When I finally did, the encouragement I received really motivated me. This newfound confidence pushed me to pursue screenwriting more seriously.
3.) What are some of your favorite movies, and why?
One of my favorite movies is Gladiator. It was a movie I watched with my dad at a young age, and something we enjoyed together. It always felt very sentimental, and action-adventure movies always remind me of my relationship with him.
4.) What do you think makes a good story and why?
I believe a good story comes from a place of honesty. Connecting with the story that you’re telling, and conveying it with truth will translate to the page. The most powerful narratives are those that highlight the unique voice of the writer.
5.) What are the easiest and most difficult parts of screenwriting for you?
The most difficult part of screenwriting for me is the rewrite. Finding places to cut and restructure is difficult, especially when you connect deeply with the story. However, a solid rewrite can transform the quality of your script. The easiest part of writing for me is the outline. Outlining without concern for structure, and just formulating character and story, is always a lot of fun.
6.) What is your writing process like?
My writing process depends a lot on when my deadline is. Deadlines can be intimidating, but also good motivation to get started. I spend the first few weeks with research and outlining, then move to a first draft. That usually takes a few months, and then rewrites take another month or so. The process can be long, but is very rewarding. Loving the story and how it grows is the key to maintaining motivation.
7.) What would you like to accomplish during the course of the fellowship?
During the course of this fellowship, I want to learn how to turn a concept I love into a marketable story. While it will always be a personal artform for me, writing is also a job. Learning from my mentor how the business operates is a very exciting opportunity.
8.) What types of scripts do you hope to write in your career?
In the future, I hope I can spend time writing a variety of scripts. Action/adventure dramas and historical thrillers are what I feel most comfortable writing, but I am a huge fan of science fiction as well. I love the comedy and horror genres, so I hope to refine a skill set to be able to write those as well.
9.) What do you like to do for fun (other than writing)?
For fun, I spend a lot of time with my family, friends, and dogs. I love biking, and being outdoors. I also train mixed martial arts on a regular basis (primarily kickboxing and jujitsu/wrestling). Acting is what introduced me to the film and tv industry, so I continue to enjoy doing that as well.
