Interview with Austin Teleplay Winner Steve Daniels
Script Alley: Tell us a little about yourself as a writer. Primarily TV or do you also write features?
Steve Daniels: I write both tv and features.
Script Alley: What prompted you to write a PUSHING DAISIES script?
Steve Daniels: When I first decided to take on writing a new tv spec, “Pushing Daisies” was the furthest thing from my mind. I really loved the show but the thought of trying to put together a spec for it seemed really intimidating. Its such clever show and written so well, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. But then it occurred to me that the challenge would just make me a better writer no matter how the spec turned out. When I realized that, “Pushing Daisies” seemed like the perfect spec to attempt and I decided to take the challenge head on and see what happens.
Script Alley: What were the challenges of working with established characters?
Steve Daniels: To me there are more advantages than disadvantages when working with established characters. If you watch the show enough, its easier to visualize the performances of your material. On the other hand, that can work against you, because while you may be able to visualize the character saying something, another fan of the show may not. I had a lot of different people that watched the show read my script to make sure I had the characters right but even with the finished draft, I had people that didn’t agree with everything that I had the characters saying and doing. I ultimately had to just trust myself and hope that I my instincts were right.
Script Alley: How many drafts did you go through and when did you know it was ready?
Steve Daniels: I know this is going to sound crazy, but actually, I did only one major draft of the script and then did minor tweaking after I had some people read it. But keep in mind that I outline extensively. That means that my final outline even has most of the dialogue written so by the time that I go to script, the material is essentially written. I did tweak dialogue but structurally, the material was there by the time that I went to my first draft. After that, I made three minor revisions after having some people read it.
Script Alley: Describe your day to day writing process.
Steve Daniels: Outlining! Outlining! And more outlining! I find that the moment you go to writing the actual script can be intimidating. So instead I write a very freeform outline in Word and just keep building on it, adding as many details as I can with each pass until I find the scenes so visualized, that the dialogue starts coming to me as well. My outlines are so extensive, that by the time I go to script, the material is essentially written and it’s just a matter of transcribing to format.
Script Alley: Can you tell us about a turning point in your development as a writer (particularly one where you felt like it was either give up or go forward)?
Steve Daniels: I had received a rejection letter for a script that I was really proud of and I wasn’t sure what to do after that. At the time, I felt that it was the best I could do as a writer and if I could get a rejection letter for it, what was the point? I began to really question whether I was going to continue writing or not. Then I realized that the reason I write isn’t for financial success or glory (although both would be nice). I write because I think it’s a fun thing to do and that was reason enough to stick with it.
Script Alley: If you could give one bit of advice to a new writer, what would it be?
Steve Daniels: Can I give two bits of advice instead? The first is that every time you write, you’re going to get better. That’s why you should always get excited when you start a new project because odds are it’s going to be better than the last. The second is that I believe that people don’t make it as a writer based on talent alone, it’s also about persistence. If you really want to do this, you’ll stick with it and success will eventually find you.
Script Alley: What goals have you set for yourself?
Steve Daniels: On the long term, I plan to stick with writing until I have found the success that I want. As I said, I believe persistence is the secret to that. Ultimately, I’d like to be staffed on a tv show, or eventually have one of my features optioned. On the short term, each year, I map out an agenda of projects that I want to write and I’m working on this year’s agenda.
Script Alley: What’s next?
Steve Daniels: The thing I am being told by everyone is that I need to write an original pilot. Apparently they are the new “hot” thing to have to be read so I’ve been working on that as well as a high-concept comedy horror feature script. I’m also hopeful that I will find representation in the near future. Either way, I’m just going to keep writing and hope that success eventually finds me. I think it eventually will. One thing I have in spades is persistence!
