Third Place

 READING, PA
 By The Rev. Sarah Brockmann
 City/State: Norwood, MA
 Occupation: (priest) Rector, Trinity Church, Rockland, MA
 Logline:  On the run from a violent past, a twelve-year old girl struggles with her sense of sin and redemption, and in the process changes the lives of the people  around her and re-awakens the faith of a burned-out female priest.

What or who was your inspiration for Reading, PA?

The town was the inspiration. I used to drive by it on the way to a retreat centre in Wernersville, and I could just tell the city had a story to tell. After a while, it told me.

How did you come up with the idea for the script?

Just listening to the city. Interestingly, after I had begun to write, I went into Reading to poke around, and was very surprised to find that most of the very specific locations that I had envisioned in the story were real. The location of the trailer, the church, the rail yard - all pretty much exactly as I had pictured them!

How long did it take for you to write the screenplay?

Oh, gosh, first keystroke to final draft was probably a year or two. I don't have nearly as much time to write as I would like.

What were some of the challenges you faced during the writing process?

Finding time! Inspiration usually isn't a problem.

Do you have formal training as a screenwriter?

I have a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting and Film from Boston University. I studied a lot besides screenwriting, though, and I think the best way to learn is to do it, then get someone to provide good coverage. And then, of course, listen and learn!

Have you won other contests?

I was a finalist in for the Kairos Prize last year, and this and another screenplay have been quarter finalists or semi-finalists in a few competitions.

What's your best nugget of advice for beginning screenwriters?

Get good screenwriting software - it makes the job so much easier! And then, of course, write as much as you can.