Interview:

Robert Hazel - St. Louis, MO - I've written seven spec feature scripts, each of
which has won recognition in various contests and festivals, (e.g., Austin Festival
Semifinalist, American Zoetrope Finalist and IFP Emerging Narrative, twice); have
had two shorts produced; sold a script treatment and a mystery parlor-game; and have
adapted one of my screenplays for the stage. While not (yet) WGA, I'm a serious
writer and the real-deal.

Is "The Doubtful Martyr" your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

"The Doubtful Martyr" is not my first script, I've written seven spec feature scripts and had two shorts produced.

Why did you write "The Doubtful Martyr"? And how long did it take you to write it?

To ridicule religious extremism. In this case, what would-be martyrs are asked to
believe is simply silly.

Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

After thinking about what to write, I write. If I have seven minutes, I use them,
and eventually I'm done.

What inspires you to write?

I read a lot and write about what seems absurd, ludicrous or maddening, so there's
lots to work with.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Betty, the love of my life, my children, and spiritual and physical exercise.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

The fact that they have a short script competition. And good on you for getting the results back so quickly.

Do you feel that screenwriting contests are worthwhile for writers and why?

Yes, overall, because doing well is an encouragement and sometimes it leads to
appropriate attention.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

William Faulkner, because he wrote from home.

Any advice or tips you'd like to pass on to other writers?

If I really had this figured out, I would be a lot farther along.

What's next for you?

A sci-fi epic, currently titled "The Prisoner", which, like all my other work,
hasn't been done, but needs to be seen.