Interview with Genevieve Sipperley
Genevieve Sipperley is a screenwriter and author with multiple awards for a collection of her original screenplays. Along with being named an Emerging Screenwriter by the International Screenwriters Association and a Top 50 Fast Track Fellow, she has won Best Screenplay in several different film genres and has participated in dozens of accredited international film festivals to accept competition awards. Mediterranean Film Festival Cannes, Boston Screenplay Awards, The North Film Festival, International Horror Hotel Screenwriting Competition, Chicago Screenplay Awards, and the Silver State Film Festival are just some among that list. Genevieve also produces, publishes fiction work, and has films in post production.
6/9/20266 min read
First of all we would like you to introduce yourself so that we can introduce you to our audience. Who you are? How long have you been making films or writing scripts?
Hello! I’m Genevieve Sipperley, born and raised in North Pole, Alaska and now I reside in Chicago. Growing up I was always writing poetry or short stories and had a real passion for story telling and vivid imagery with the details I incorporated. It was a very easy transition into film school where I pursued screenwriting as a major so I could really learn the industry craft. When I graduated in 2010, that is when I really dove into writing screenplays full time. I am that person at the end of the bar on their laptop always writing and creating new stories in various genres.
And now we talk about your project. What the audience will find in this script. Do you plan to shoot this script or are you looking for a producer to produce it?
I am always looking for my work to be produced! I am a passionate writer with 13 completed feature screenplays and even more shorts scripts, but I don’t really jump behind the camera anymore. With this screenplay I really wanted to try something new. I usually write screenplays in a linear fashion and have been in the Horror, Drama, LGBTQ+ and Indie space, but for this one I branched out and tried a more Suspense/Thriller approach with telling the story from two different points of view, then later having them intersect to form a linear timeline. That is something the audience will pick up earlier on when they see the story from a different perspective.
And here we would like to know your tastes:
What does cinema mean to you?
Growing up in a small town in Alaska, it would take 45 minutes to an hour to get to the movie theater, but when I went, I was completely captivated. I loved the big screens, the smell of the popcorn, the sticky floors, trying to save seats with fluffy coats, and just seeing a story told in such a bold display. It would be 40 below zero, and the lobby was too small so the line wrapped out the front door, and the commitment of move-goers to see that opening Friday night was a true experience! I still have those ticket stubs. Shortly after I graduated high school and came down to the “Lower 48”, they built a new movie theater in Alaska that was huge in scale with a much bigger lobby and eventually tore down the one I grew up with. This made me sad because I feel like it really changed the experience, but the feeling it gave me really let me know that I have a passion for this industry. I am not sure how to describe what it means to me, but I know that it shaped me, it continuously inspires me, and I am so thankful to be a part of anything cinematic.
What was the first movie you remember seeing?
Oh man, maybe Addams Family Values (1993)? I do know that we would go to the movie every Thanksgiving after early dinner, but not sure what my first may have been. Titanic and The Green Mile REALLY stand out though because I remember how long the run times were and the need to use the restroom at times but I didn’t want to chance missing a scene!
Which movie is the best for you?
I am not sure what is “best for me”, but I do know that Horror, Action, War-themed, Dark Comedy, and Sagas (ones with sequels), are up my alley. I also find that most themes or genres I don’t write I am drawn to because it’s different stylistically from how I create, and those are often the ones I enjoy very much. I have immense respect for screenwriters that can write certain genres that are out of my wheelhouse, and I love being pleasantly surprised by those storylines.
What do you think a movie must have as an essential ingredient? And a script?
PLOT TWISTS! Diverse characters as well, but plot twists and something that is unexpected is one of my favorite things about a movie. When there is that reveal moment, there is nothing like it. This is the same for a movie I watch, or a script I write, I think it is a very important element that needs to be baked in.
Your favorite actor or actress?
This feels like a trick question! There are absolutely too many to name, but one that stands out is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In 2010 at the Sundance Film Festival I actually had the chance to meet him at a workshop, but I got too nervous. It was my first year out of film school and I didn’t really have a solid script resume so I didn’t think I would do well, but now I really wish I had gone for it. He has had such diverse roles, worked with so many industry greats, and puts so much passion behind every project. Over the years, from smaller budgets to blockbusters, he gives his projects his all - it’s a truly beautiful work ethic.
What qualities do you see in that actor / actress to have such consideration. What do you like most about them?
I think I just touched on it above, but the commitment to the art and craft over such a long time span really shows true success. It’s not about the money made, it’s about the quality and the consistency of that quality that really shines bright.
A good movie has to...
Invoke an emotion! If the movie can’t make you feel or think, it’s really not doing its job.
What genre of cinema do you prefer?
To write: Horror, Drama, Indie. To watch: let’s just say, my movie purchase history is very diverse! I can have a movie-marathon and watch Fright Night, Life of the Party, Scream, Project-X, Red, Jennifer’s Body, Girl’s Trip, then Ready Or Not (just to name some) and be very happily satisfied.
How do you define yourself professionally?
I have never missed a deadline when collaborating with other filmmakers. I overly communicate, and I am absolutely flexible when it comes to re-writes or scene edits. I think it’s more about making a story work for those you work with versus not being willing to make edits because of a mentality where I think my version is better. Making a good end product takes challenges and adapting, andI feel like I go into every project with that mentality and I hope that stands out with those I work with professionally.
What movie have you seen most often?
Depends on the season! I do have a once a year Scream and Jurassic Park franchise marathon, but it really just depends on my mood. This goes back to my diverse list, and I can watch many of them anytime. There isn’t one though that stands out as I watch many movies weekly.
What topics are the most inspiring for you?
War-themed. And I am not sure why, but these are usually longer movies and most are based on true stories. Just seeing (even if just a re-creation) a small magnitude of what that “world” has been like is inspiring, heart felt, sad, hopeful, and a handful of other emotions. It’s bringing an aspect of reality to the forefront and really letting an audience know the impact of something many will never understand or experience is humbling.
What helps you to be more creative? Do you have a writing routine?
Consistency is key! I can’t go more than a week without at least getting something down on paper. In the Summer time, at sunset I try to give myself at least an hour a day to focus and write/work on a project. When it turns into several hours, I am thrilled. In the Winter it is harder because of the darkness and being inside, so that is when I really have to self motivate, but I always look towards the end result and that propels me to keep pushing and turn on the computer. I think what helps me most is picturing that end result and knowing I am the only person standing in the way of not getting there; if I don’t focus, there will be no story created.
When you write a script, are you clear about how it will end or are you building it?
Always! I actually see the movie in my head, kind of like I went to the movies and already watched it. From there I write a SPINE (5 points that cover the major shifts and arches), then a complete outline for each scene. Once I have the scene outline breakdown done, I get to know my characters a bit and get a sense of what their voices will be like, then I just dive in and go scene by scene. With the outline, if something isn’t working as I am writing, it’s nice that I can adjust it and already be able to see ahead instead of winging it and hoping it makes sense later.
Can you recommend a screenwriter that you love and a movie that you think has a great script?
Another case of “there are so many”! What a tough question, I feel like there is a reason you saved this one for last. How about we go with one of the most recent ones I’ve watched and appreciate the story and screenwriter? “Pretty Lethal” written by Kate Freund was really enjoyable. It was unique and had really fun elements integrated throughout. All of the characters had their own voice, it was a setting that took some research, and it was a script that kept you wanting to see what was about to happen in the next scene. There weren’t lull moments, but instead the script peppered in humor, action, and meaningful character moments. Definitely a style of writing I respect and enjoy watching!