Welcome back to our blog series “Industry Insights”, where we interview members of the production world that we have had the opportunity to collaborate with! This week, we are featuring a talented scriptwriter, who we have worked with on several recent projects. Meet Lindsay Siegel!
Someone once defined Lindsay as a world traveler/karaoke queen; she liked it so much, it became her go-to Instagram description.
Lindsay studied English and Mass Communications at the University of Florida with intentions to pursue a career in the news sphere; however, a semester abroad awoke the "travel monster" inside her, and she spent a few years after graduation living in and backpacking across various continents while freelance writing. This eventually led to a full-time position as a writer and creative producer. During her time at an agency, she had the opportunity to work with big-name brands, scripted for well-known celebrities, and traveled often—it was her dream job.
A year ago, she returned to freelance work while helping her husband open his medical practice, where she runs the operations and marketing facets of the business. And in a month, she'll add "new mom" to her resume. And yet, even with this full plate, she still has time to create scripts for us!
What kind of information does it take to create a successful script?
LS: An example of the intended voice is the most helpful. I'm adept at adopting that voice during the scriptwriting process; however, I reserve the right to flip it and reverse it at will.
What are the top three things you think about when preparing to write a script?
LS: What else has the client done, what else does the client like, and how can I shake up their expectations.
Describe your writing style in three words.
LS: Hunter [S.] Thompson wannabe.
When you’re not writing a script, what do you enjoy writing?
LS: Short stories, feminist theories, and my side of the fake arguments I have in my head.
What has proven most challenging thus far about your job?
LS: I can't resist infusing my background in modernism, deconstructionism, and Shakespeare into scripts to spice them up. It usually doesn't go over too well.
What inspires you?
LS: Conflict. Nothing gets those snappy references flying like a bit of push-back.
What do you do when you experience writer’s block?
LS: Anything else. Always, always, always when I'm far away from a computer is the moment the creative juices kick back in.
What is your personal mantra?
LS: Keep reading, keep evolving. Over time my style has gone from grandiloquent and imagery-based to prosaic and trenchant. If you're curious as to where it's heading next, so am I.
What are some of your favorite movies?
LS: I'm no hipster—give me Pulp Fiction, Inception, and To Be or Not to Be (circa 1942) on any lazy Sunday.
Can you give us a fun fact about yourself?
LS: I spent a couple months living in a van in the Australian Outback because I thought it would give my writing street cred. It didn't. But it did provide a forever fun fact.
Interested in learning more? You can check out her website at: www.lindsaywsiegel.com.