Interview:

Erin Feeney; Los Angeles, CA. I grew up in a very small town in Ireland called Ballybunion - our 2 claims to fame are a world-class golf course (Bill Clinton played there when he was President!) and a mention in the liner notes of Def Leppard's 'Hysteria' album (Don't laugh, it's the one with stripper favorite 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' on it. Hooray!). We had a cinema that was only open during the summer tourist season but my family has always been really into films and theatre. My Dad was a huge film buff, which I inherited, and my Mum loves the classics and comedies. I studied at UCD in Dublin and became very involved with the film and drama societies. In my last year, I directed Philip Ridley's play 'The Fastest Clock in the Universe' and received the ISDA award for Best Director, which was lucky since I was skipping classes in order to spend more time doing plays and it went a long way in terms of my parents letting me off the hook for being a bad student.

I moved to LA after attending a Q&A with Oliver Stone where my question was "Can I have a job"? Bless him, he actually gave me one! I worked for him for about 18 months and I never loved getting someone coffee as much either, before or since. He was great and I learned a lot by just being in his presence. I have sporadically worked on low budget films in between requisite bartending/waitress gigs. My last 'proper' job was in development at a small, up and coming production company. 7 months ago, I decided to make the scary leap to strike out on my own and just concentrate on my writing and I'm glad I did. This would have not been possible without the support of my long-term partner, Matthew, who just…rocks.

Is "Pop Vultures" your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

I had written a few plays and short films prior to now. I spent a few years in 'wilderness' mode where I just couldn't get anything down on paper and writing a feature seemed like the most frightening thing ever but I really wanted to do it. Thanks to the encouragement and belief of some great friends - Melora, Rebekah and Gerard - and especially the aforementioned Matthew, I got over my jitters and I've completed 2 feature scripts and have about 5 others on the go. The floodgates have well and truly opened!

Why did you write "Pop Vultures"? And how long did it take you to write it?

The short answer? I wrote 'Pop Vultures' because I'm a geek. A big, hardcore movie geek. The idea came from that and it was a little tribute to my Dad, who died 5 years ago. The John Wayne character is a representation of him. It took me about a week from conception to printing it out and sending it to you lovely people.

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

I stare out of windows a lot. The cartoonist who writes 'Shoe' once said that "typists type; writers stare out of windows" and that can sometimes be the danger for me. It was the typing part I had to get a handle on. So I usually try to spend at least 3-4 hours a day chained to my desk in order to get it all out of my head and down on paper. Some days are more productive than others. What can I say? I'm a dreamer.

What inspires you to write?

I'm a big eavesdropper. There's times, when I'm stuck, where I'll go to a café or ride a bus just to listen to strangers conversations and people watch; making up back stories for them, imagining what their lives are like, that kind of thing. Watching/reading the work of artists I admire also helps me feel inspired, although it can backfire; I walked out of 'Fargo' in floods of tears because I thought "I'll never write anything that amazing. Never. Ever. Ever"! While that's probably true, it's good to have the bar set high for yourself.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Naturally, I love film, TV and theatre; that's a given. I'm a big foodie. One of my favorite things to do is wander around and find the 'Mom 'n' Pop' places that does one thing and does it well. Being Irish, I'm a beer connoisseur - which for whatever reason never sounds as sophisticated as 'wine connoisseur' - it just sounds like you enjoy getting drunk. I do but that's not the point. I also devour books. I just finished reading Peadar O'Guilin's 'The Inferior' and it was fantastic. I reckon he's going to help fill the space recently vacated by Mrs. Rowling in the fantasy genre.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

I needed to get better at giving up control and sending my work out into the Big Bad World to be judged by people who don't know me and let the work speak for itself. This competition seemed like the most 'writer friendly' with the feedback option and the overall sense that it was intended to nurture writers with constructive criticism rather than pick them apart. Writers are a sensitive bunch! Handle With Care.

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

Absolutely but it's important to choose the right ones. As my Grandpa Mick loved to say, "If you're not in, you can't win". Again, when you're trying to break into the writing scene, it can be an exercise in frustration and feel just… impossible. Entering contests like this, where the focus is on the actual script, it at least gives you a chance to have your work evaluated by people who understand the business of writing; not an easy thing. Getting to the top 10 has been a huge validation for me and makes me want to work even harder.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

Bo Goldman is a class act, isn't he? Now and again, I'll watch Pacino's big speech from 'Scent of a Woman' just to get the juices flowing. Some find it a bit corny but I love the phrasing and dexterity of that dialogue. I recently met Jessica Hynes, whose work has been very influential on me. She's the co-writer of 'Spaced' (among other things) and I totally geeked out on her. She is so charming and lovely; when I told her that I admired her and that I was a writer as well, she said, "I admire you. I admire anyone who's a writer", which is how I feel about anyone who puts their work out there. 'Spaced' was/is really special to me. It was the first TV sit-com I saw that was for people like me ~ the-pop-culture-fan-that's-a-chick. Russell T Davis, the man that brought back 'Doctor Who' so brilliantly (Thank you, Russell!) is a master of walking the fine lines between sci-fi, comedy and heart crushing drama - often in one scene. He's so incredibly deft at that. Joss Whedon too, for those same reasons. That's a gift. Allison Anders has been a heroine of mine for a long time. Her raw, open manner combined with her sweetness and intelligence makes me love everything she's done. 'Gas, Food, Lodging' was the first experience I had of realizing that women wrote and directed films. She's just fearless. Another favorite is Melora Donoghue, who is part of the next wave of highly sought after screenwriters. She has a way with mood and characterization that will floor you. You heard it from me first! I love Mr. T too but that's the answer to a different question. However, I do pity fools quite a bit.

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

I don't know if I would be so bold as to give anyone advice since I feel like I'm still such a newbie myself. I will say this - as a writer, you have to like being alone. I know people that have tried to write the novel/screenplay/comic they feel is in them but just can't because it's such a solitary endeavor. They go mad. Having said that, the pitfall is that you can spend too much time alone and get so wrapped up in these worlds you've created that you stop interacting with people altogether and the next thing you know you're the 'crazy old cat lady'. Finding the balance is key. That, and developing a very thick skin. I'm talking rhinoceros thick.

What's next for you?

I'm talking with a very nice, handsome British chap about representation. We're in the early stages of our potential relationship but I'm hoping he'll be my knight in shining armor. Other than that, I'm re-writing the script that brought us together in the first place. After I finish this interview? I'm having a cup of tea. By the way, it's very cool that you guys do this. My Mum, Mary, will be so terribly proud. "Hi Mum"!