   Karen has received over 25 writing awards (including several for scripts). Contest honors for feature length and short screenplays (solo and collaborative, finals to first place) include: Moondance Film Festival, BlueCat, All She Wrote, Lighthouse Writers, Boulder Asian Film Festival, SouthWest Writers Contest, and Pikes Peak Writers Contest. Through a former agent, her work was considered by directors James Cameron and Barry Sonnenfeld, HBO and the Sci Fi Channel. Her work was sought out by independent producer Ellisa Kannon. She co-wrote scripts with independent director Erich Toll, one of which was recently produced. She is currently seeking an agent/manager to represent her screeplays. Learn more about Karen's screenplays. |
MovieBytes Interview 2004 Screenwriter Karen Lin: An interview with screenwriter Karen Lin regarding the Southwest Writers Writing Competition. Q: What's the title of the script you entered in this contest, and what's it about? A: CHARTRES (supernatural thriller) Claudia, a specialist in historic restoration, is called in when a stone in the Gothic wonder shifts. The cathedral leads her and historian sidekick, Charles, to a connection between the ancient Druids, the Knights Templar, the Freemasons, and an otherworldly secret the masons are willing to kill to protect - a secret humans are not ready to learn. Q: What made you enter this particular contest? Have you entered any other contests with this script? If so, how did you do? A: My collaborator on this project, Janet Fogg, won first place with a novel in a previous year. In the past I enjoyed the high quality SW Writers conference. I expected nothing but the best from the feedback sheet they offer up. This was the only contest we've entered it in. Q: Were you satisfied with the adminstration of the contest? Did they meet their deadlines? Did you receive all the awards that were promised? A: The contest was run very well. Deadlines and prizes were as expected. The only disappointment came when they canceled the conference so we didn't get the expected exposure. Q: Were you given any feedback on your script? If so, did you find the feedback helpful? A: Yes. The feedback was targeted, helpful and encouraging. Q: Has your success in this contest helped you market your script? Were you contacted by any agents, managers or producers? A: Without the conference there has been less direct opportunity to market the script. However, I'm sure having the additonal win on my bio helps. I've been represented by a few different agents with single project contracts. Currently I am not under contract with an agent.* Q: What's your background? Have you written any other screenplays or television scripts? A: I've won almost a dozen screenplay awards (feature length and a short script). My genres: romantic comedy, dark comedy, paranormal suspense, supernatural thriller, sci-fi, broad comedy and horror. I write solo and with collaborators Janet Fogg and Christian Marcus Lyons. I also write novels and short stories, and am in the process of marketing a literary cookbook. I also edit for published authors. Currently several of my screenplays are being considered by production companies. Q: Do you live in Los Angeles? If not, do you have any plans to move there? A: I do not live in L.A. and have no plans to move there. In fact, lots of people from the L.A. entertainment scene, are moving to my beautiful and inspiring city - Boulder, Colorado. Q: What's next? Are you working on a new script? A: I'm constantly marketing and working on three or four projects at a time. I'm prolific and determined. And modest, too. (she says, smiling) |
*Karen is seeking management/agent specializing in script sales.