Interview - Screenwriter Dario Antepara

Dario Antepara is the writer of Sci-Fi competition winning screenplay, THE QUANTUM KILLER, about a woman and a mass murderer trapped in a parallel world.

After the competition win, we spoke with Dario about the story and the journey to this win.

How did you first become interested in a career in screenwriting?
I've worked all my life shooting commercials, editing, and creating special effects, so screenwriting is part of the process to hopefully create my own movies someday. If you want to see what I do, you're welcome to check out my short film "I Left my Heart in Pluto" on YouTube. It was filmed during the COVID lockdown with a cast and crew of one. 23 festival wins so far.

Who or what inspired you to write this particular story?
I like science and science fiction, so I just asked the old question "What if?" and I realized nobody has ever done a movie about the particular way the villain in my story eliminates his victims.

What movies or filmmakers would you consider your greatest influences as a screenwriter?
J. Michael Straczynski, James Cameron, Guillermo Del Toro.

How much planning and outlining went into your process of writing this script?
This particular script is the hardest of the three features I've written so far. I had to balance providing enough world-building information for context while keeping the narrative cinematic and dynamic.

What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters who are working their first script?
Rewrite, ask yourself fundamental questions about your ideas.

More about the writer:
I'm a filmmaker working in Los Angeles. I also edit, create special effects and animate. Worked for Disney, Telemundo Network, Jordan Belfort (The real Wolf of Wall Street) My short film "I Left my Heart in Pluto" has won 23 festivals so far (Available on YouTube).) My science fiction graphic novel "The Bullet" (Available on Amazon), was chosen as an official selection for the Phillip K. Dick Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival.