Interview with writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

This is a screenplay for a television show pilot called "N'Ever Ever After: Introducing Mrs. and Mrs. Robinson..." about the romantic misadventures of wedding planning. Similar to The Office and Abbott Elementary, it's a mockumentary workplace comedy featuring unlucky-in-love wedding director, Mildred "Milly" Salvatore, and her chaotic wedding planning team known as "Cupids" as they strive (and often struggle) to make the wedding dreams of San Francisco Bay Area couples come true... by any means necessary. The overall show gives audiences a glimpse into the nuances and logistical complications of planning one's dream wedding as Milly's agency known as the Ever Ever After Agency, offers services in preparing a couple's engagement, bachelor/bachelorette, rehearsal, and the dreaded walk down the aisle. In the first episode, the Ever Ever After Wedding Agency, or "EEAWA," cordially invites you to the outdoor garden wedding of Oakland Sustainability activist couple, Mrs. and Mrs. Robinson. The wedding colors for this episodic event are earthy green and indigo blue so be sure to dress accordingly and remember to RSVP on time, or else.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This is a half-hour mockumentary comedy in a single-camera format similar to what you would see on The Office, Parks and Recreation, Party Down, and Abbott Elementary. Abbott Elementary by Quinta Brunson actually inspired me to go back to comedy writing and work on this pilot script. I enjoy mockumentaries about the workplace and making the mundane tasks of everyday life into something to laugh about.

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I think audiences would love to watch N'Ever Ever After because it offers a respite from the trials and tribulations of today's world, and not to mention, this show features a common theme that everyone can relate to: the everyday love and the traditions that come with courtship and getting married. And if you have been married, divorced, attended a wedding, been a bridesmaid or best man, or experienced a breakup, then this is the show for you.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Wedding Planning

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

The Preacher's Wife

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

For over a year. I took this really motivating and inspirational class at UCLA Extension taught by Teri Brown-Jackson, and I was able to submit this script to several contests and festivals. I've received a lot of positive and constructive feedback, and I recently completed the pitch deck for this television series so hopefully, in the future, I can find the right platform for this comedy.

7. How many stories have you written?

Too many to count. My goal as a writer is to write a screenplay, story, or television pilot for each genre. So far, I've worked on comedy and drama stories about ghost hunting, the United Nations, mortuaries, stringer journalism, fairy tales about catfish, and other unique topics.

8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)

"Let's Go Crazy" by the one and only Prince.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I think writing and developing the characters of N'Ever Ever After to feel authentic and funny was my biggest obstacle, from the dialogue to their actions and reactions in the story. I tried my best to create a story that an audience would want to tune into, and I really want the audience to relate to each character in their own way.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

I love historical research and documentaries on undertold and unsung events and human stories that not everyone knows a lot about. I'm currently working on a nonfiction history project about the first woman who confessed to witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

It's a very efficient and easy-to-use platform to submit your film or writing projects to several contests and festivals.

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I wanted to take a chance in submitting my first half-hour comedy pilot to a festival, and I really enjoyed how the characters came to life in the WILDsound table read. I am very pleased and thankful for the feedback from the Los Angeles Comedy Film & Screenplay Festival. Thanks for reading!

N’Ever Ever After is a mockumentary and workplace comedy featuring the unlucky-in-love wedding director, Mildred “Milly” Salvatore, and her chaotic wedding planning team known as “Cupids” as they strive (and often struggle) to make the wedding dreams of San Francisco Bay Area couples come true… by any means necessary.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Shawn Devlin
Milly: Kyana Teresa
Penny: Elizabeth Rose Morriss