Interview:

Writer/Director D.B. Toth is a Cornell University graduate with a B.A. in English Literature and a Candidate for a Masters degree from Columbia University.

A former journalist and producer of educational films, he learned storytelling from the ground up, associate producing dozens of educational films for nation-wide distribution.

His first project as sole producer/director, a film about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs, won a CINE Golden Eagle, as well as a Telly award for outstanding video content in 2008.

In the past two years, Toth has written and directed two half hour films, parlaying his experience in educational films to genre pictures.

A prolific writer, he has written numerous feature-length, as well as short film scripts. The Real Education of Sara Parker is his fourth feature screenplay. He lives outside New York City.

Is”Transcendence of Harry” your first short script? If not what else have you completed?

I have written three feature screenplays, as well as two short screenplays, which I also produced and directed.

Why did you write”Transcendence of Harry” and how long did it take you to write it?

Transcendence of Harry is the last of four episodes which make up a feature screenplay called "Empire Tales". The stories follow the four seasons and are tied together by themes of change as it relates to identity. Harry is the spring time tale and is the most hopeful of the four. It took me roughly two months to complete it.

What are some advantages of writing a short script?

You can focus on one major reversal in a character's fate and by restricting the locale, you can go "deeper" rather than "wider", which is more easily done in a feature script.

What influenced you to enter Movie Script Short Contest?

The focus of the contest is to connect writers with the industry, rather than just provide accolades in a vacuum and so entering was a no-brainer.

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

Absolutely, if there is something at the end of the tunnel other than a trophy, namely connections and the possibility for decision makers to see your work.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

Robert Towne. I think with "Chinatown", he has written the near perfect script. It's the perfect blend of story, theme and character. It also demonstrates that when talented people get involved with turning a great script into a film (Polanski, Nicholson), the results can be magnificent.

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

Learn the rules before you break them. Master screenwriting structure. Once you have the "proper" way to write a screenplay down, you can start to experiment.

What’s next for you?

Finish post production work on "Chance Encounter", to get it ready for a premiere in December. I'm also working on a fourth feature script, "The Real Education of Sara Parker", which explores themes of race and technology.