One Minute Interview

Below is my one minute interview with Shriekfest Founder/Director, Denise Gossett.

DG: What is your name and company name and URL?

MS: My name is Mike Schoonveld. I don't have a company name, but I do have a blog, horrorguy30.blogspot.com, or I can be followed on Twitter @horrorguy30.

DG: What is your specialty...filmmaking or screenwriting?

MS: Right now it's screenwriting. I enjoy the writing process of creating characters and telling a story. Creating likeable and believable characters is crucial when telling a story. If they're not believable, then the story fails, too. Eventually I would like to venture into directing. I think it would be a lot of fun.
 
DG: What are you currently working on?

MS: I just finished writing my second feature, Hell Weekend, that I'm looking to get made with Maria Olsen and Gregory Blair. It'll be interesting to see them bring these two psychotic characters to life.

DG: Sounds cool! congrats! Have you been a finalist or winner in any festivals or competitions?

MS: Yes. I was a finalist at last years Shriekfest with my zombie apocalypse screenplay, Seekers. Bill Oberst, Jr. said he would love to do it. He's a great guy and a very talented actor. I actually wrote the part of Military Officer Henry 'Hank' McCulley with Bill in mind. He has a very commanding presence that the role requires.

DG: Nice! I love Bill, he is a dear friend. Why do you think the horror/scifi genres have such a large following?

MS: Because these movies take us away from our everyday lives. They're fun to watch and not meant to be taken so seriously. With everything we have going on with work, kids, paying bills. Just struggling to survive is work. At the end of the day, its nice to just sit back and watch a good horror movie and be scared and have fun. That's what its all about. Having fun.

DG: I agree! An escape. What do you love most about this business?

MS: How close everyone seems to be in the genre. It's like a family. Everyone I've come in contact with has been so nice and has given me a lot of great advice over the last couple of years and I didn't let any knowledge or insight they had go to waste. I feel like I am part of the family now.
 
DG: It is a wonderful family! What do you dislike most about this business?

MS: Ask me again in a few years. Haha!

DG: LOL Any advice you'd like to give to newbies?

MS: If you have a dream, go for it. Nobody can make it happen but you. Grab it by the balls and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way or get you down. It's about having fun with what you do and making the most of the opportunities that come your way. If you can't have fun with it, you shouldn't be doing it.

DG: I love it! Anything else you'd like to say?

MS: If I hadn't come across Shriekfest, I probably wouldn't be doing this interview today. I'm very grateful for the chance I had to submit my first screenplay to Shriekfest. Making it to the finals was a huge accomplishment and a proud moment in my life, and I thank you very much for that. And I thank you for this interview. It's been fun.
 
DG: Thank you MIke, great catching up with you!