Brittany has been completely in love with writing since she was very young. She says, “I was a particularly imaginative child, and it was often difficult for the adults in my life to pull me back into reality, so to speak. And, I was that one kid on the playground who swore she could see fairies, transform into a mermaid, and pull on the heartstrings of every handsome vampire in her path. I lived with my head in the clouds, thinking about aliens in Algebra class and superheroes in social studies.”
Writing has always served as something of a logbook for my adventures. I travel to other planets, other dimensions, distant futures, and twisted pasts. Then, I come back to Earth and put it all down on paper. When I’m deep in my imagination, I encounter a lot of things I can’t bear to part with. Writing is my way of immortalizing them, I suppose. If I had to describe my style, I’d call it pure chaos. My writing moves with the unpredictable ebbs and flows of my imagination, and somewhere in my heart, I’m still a crazy little nine year old in search of new otherworldly frontiers to experience.
Typically, I become one of the characters fully, so they end up infused with a lot of, well, me. It may sound a little crazy, but the other cast members come across like members of some distant, cosmic web of connection. Some of them are friends, some of them are foes. All of them become entangled in this beautiful dance of creative fun, and when I write, I’m just recapping the steps of that dance.
Did you hire a casting director, or did you choose the cast yourself? If so, what criteria went into your casting/what went into the casting process?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): I casted A Perfect Copy alongside my wonderful director, Samantha Joia, and dedicated producers, Tallia A. Petrone and Elizabeth Kurtz. Together, we watched a myriad of incredible auditions. It was breathtaking to hear my words spoken aloud for the first time. It felt like meeting my characters in person. When it came to choosing our official cast, I simply listened to my heart, allowing it to guide me entirely. There were magical moments in which I’d be watching an audition, and suddenly, my whole body felt electric with recognition. It was like reuniting with an old, incorporeal friend. “That’s him,” I’d think. “That’s who I’ve been hearing in my head.”
Without giving anything away, tell us a little bit about the script, how did you come up with the idea?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): ‘A Perfect Copy’ is something of a proof of concept short film. It is a moment taken from a much larger and more complex piece, like a snapshot from the year 2141. It follows AB03, a humanoid comprised of synthetic cells and weaponized for combat, as she is put through neural reconditioning to extinguish her feelings of empathy.
When her creator, Dr. Lancaster, realizes she’ll never be the cold blooded killer he intended her to be, he decides to surgically dismantle her and recycle her body parts. In an act of desperation and survival, she rebels against him, only to find that the reality of her existence is much more grim than she’d originally thought. I came up with the idea back in university after watching a video of beagle puppies who’d had their vocal cords clipped so that their cries couldn’t be heard during medical trials.
I was mortified and heartbroken, and I couldn’t imagine someone subjecting an innocent creature to such torture. ‘A Perfect Copy’, and the longer series behind it, is an invitation for watchers to consider the caliber of cruelty that exists in our world, and hopefully, stand up against it. Not every creature looks human, but that doesn’t mean they should be robbed of their right to exist happily and in harmony. Synthetic humans are symbolic stand ins for puppies, kittens, birds, rats, and other non-human entities subjected to inhumane treatment merely because they aren’t of the same species as us.
Who is “A Perfect Copy” for? Who do you think would enjoy it the most?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): ‘A Perfect Copy’ is for everyone who is willing to listen with an open heart, an open mind, and a desire to change this world for the better. It’s for anyone who finds purpose in fostering peace, harmony, and love on Planet Earth, because our planet is a shared one, and we need to learn to share it. I think science fiction is a perfect conduit for messages like these because it allows us, as writers, to venture to the edge of our imagination in order to discuss issues plaguing our current reality. My goal was to make it equal parts informative, meaningful, and compelling for fans of science fiction and cautionary dystopias. Life mimics art, and art mimics life. By crafting a terrifying vision of our possible future, I hope it encourages watchers to make meaningful changes in the present.
How long did it take to write the script?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): Six hours fueled by pure excitement and Earl Gray tea. Since the script was a piece taken from a larger world, it was fairly easy to put together. I knew these characters like lifelong friends, as I’ve heard their voices in my head for years. The world of the story was already completely constructed, and the moment showcased in the short film is one of my favorites. I studied screenwriting in high school and college, and with the help of Sam and the team, I was able to make use of the format in the most effective way possible. Once I came to understand the mechanics of a shooting script, I was able to convert something originally envisioned in prose to something functionally fit for an on-screen adaptation.
How long did it take to shoot the entire film?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): It took us about three days to shoot the entire film. There were two overnights, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the passion, strength, and resilience of our crew. The weekend of the set, we were hit with a horrible thunderstorm that flooded the subways and delayed everything. Still, everyone persevered, and brought this story to life against all odds.
I recall a particularly harrowing moment in which the sun was rapidly rising, and we had all of ten minutes to shoot the final scene, which required the illusion of nightfall. The entire crew ran outside, all of us operating solely on belief, determination, and caffeine at 5 AM. We got our shot, and then, an exhausted cheer reverberated through the space. My parents, who were my greatest support and biggest fans through everything, arrived with a wrap cake, and I’ve truly never felt so grateful and proud in my life.
How long was the post-production process?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): Post-production took much longer than I thought it would, but it was worth every second. As the screenwriter, I was intricately involved every step of the way. Our phenomenal editor, colorist, sound designer, and composer worked tirelessly to craft an interdimensional gateway to my story for the screen. They paid attention to every detail, making certain that the rhythm, feeling, and air within the world felt just right. This was a big moment for me, because I am also an author, and as an author I tend to create in a very solitary environment. With ‘A Perfect Copy’, I had so many insane experiences when the stars would align and I’d think to myself, “Oh my goodness, they can see it, hear it, and feel it too.”
How did you finance the film?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): This film became possible because of the boundless love, kindness, and generosity of my family and my community. Mr. Joseph Massaro, owner of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright Massaro House, allowed us to film in his beautiful home. Mr. Al Morales, a beloved family friend, helped us acquire overnight housing for the cast and crew. Support came from every corner of love in my life, from my elementary school teachers to my neighbors down the street, and it showed me just how big my family really is. The majority of the funding, however, came from my parents, who have been my greatest supporters through it all. They sacrificed so much to make this dream come true, and they stood by me every step of the way.
On film weekend, they were there helping us move equipment and navigate across Lake Mahopac. Through every harrowing moment, they were there to offer much-needed hugs, smiles, and encouragement. I am grateful beyond words. I still get emotional when I think about it, and whenever we sit together as a family to reminisce on the journey. My parents have always been my biggest fans, believing in me before I knew how to believe in myself. With all of my heart, I hope to repay them for all they’ve done to protect my heart and uplift my dreams. When I write, I write to share pieces of my heart and to make them proud.
The film had a lot of talent working behind the scenes as DPs, sound designers, composers, etc. Why is diversity important both in front of and behind the camera?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): I believe diversity is incredibly important in front of and behind the camera because art is meant to be a manifestation of pure chaotic freedom. Art is not meant to be caged within the rules, regulations, and limiting beliefs of an unfair and unequal society. It is a place where people from all walks of life can unite through one of the most unifying aspects of our lives: creativity.
Anyone can create. Everyone has something beautiful to offer this world. I believe Hollywood needs to become a kinder, freer, and more inclusive place. The team that worked on this film was filled to the brim with unbridled talent and extraordinary passion. It breaks my heart to imagine any one of them being overlooked for something like their race, gender, sexuality, or disability status. It’s a little bit of a vulnerable topic for me, but I was suffering with a restrictive eating disorder throughout the entirety of A Perfect Copy’s creation.
So many times, I worried that I was unworthy and undeserving. So many times, I told myself I was too weak to go through with it. Now, whenever I watch the film, I remind myself that I was worthy, even at my weakest. I want nothing more than to show everyone who has a story in their heart that they can and should share it, that they are worthy beyond words, and that this world needs their words.
What are your goals with “A Perfect Copy”?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): I’m working with a dreamer’s heart right now. My inner child has completely taken the wheel. It is my greatest hope that ‘A Perfect Copy’ goes on to touch the lives of anyone who needs it. Then, I would be over the moon for the opportunity to share the longer story as a TV series, ‘AB-14’. I’ve already got the pilot script, treatment, and series bible prepared. It evolved from a novel that was in its drafting stages, so the material is all there, and it’s been living in my heart for upwards of eight years now.
Where the short film follows a single synthetic human as she awakens to the terrible nature of her existence, the TV series follows several, and explores the twisted, immoral ways Dr. Lancaster tries to justify his actions. His hubris leads him down dangerous paths, and he ends up constructing even more questionable creations. In short, he built a cruel future, and he pays dearly for it. ‘A Perfect Copy’ is a glimpse into this big, blossoming world. Exploring that world with an incredible creative team, then giving broader audiences access to the gateway there would be a dream come true.
What was the first writing project that you were involved with?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): I’ve been writing since I was very young, but my first big writing debut was a stage play called ‘Willow’s Compass’! Another doomed dystopia, it follows Willow Thayer, a young woman who struggles to exist in a world where everyone is fitted with a brain chip that regulates their emotions. As she is the only one without a chip, colloquially known as a “moral compass”, she is the only one capable of feeling things such as rage, grief, and other emotions that have been labeled dangerous by the ruling elite.
My university produced it as an official part of their theater season, and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I was sitting inches away from my characters, watching them come alive three nights in a row. This moment was transformative for me, because it solidified my desire to chase the high I felt while sitting front row. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of meeting my characters in real life, so I’m never going to stop chasing this dream.
What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): I’m currently working on my second novel. I signed with the lovely Monica Rodriguez at Context Literary Agency back in June of 2023, and after a few rounds of revisions, we sent my first novel out into the world of publishing. After finishing up ‘A Perfect Copy’ and the ‘AB-14’ series materials, I dove back into my imagination, and it took me straight into a twisted horror romance. I’m fairly certain it will be consuming my every waking thought for some time.
It’s even weaseled its way into my dreams. Still, I’d also love to explore the world of acting and modeling. I studied theatre in college, and I’ve worked with so many wonderful mentors. The only thing comparable to embodying characters on paper is embodying them in the physical world. I spend so much time in my mindscape, and now, I’d like to experience some amazing things in this reality, too.
What would you recommend to a new screenwriter at the beginning of his/ her journey? Any special courses, workshops, helpful books they can read?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): If I had to give advice to a budding screenwriter, I’d say let your inner child hold the pen. When you write, follow the chaotic waves of entropy that happiness thrives off of. Let your writing be wild. And let it be outlandish. Let it be absolutely unhinged. Don’t try to impress anyone, or to be the “next great’ anything. You are enough as you are. You are perfect as you are. The stories that live in your heart are yours, and those meant to resonate with them will.
Follow your joy, chase your happiness to the most imaginative horizons, and choose yourself before you even consider the notion of being chosen by others. When it comes to workshops, courses, and books, I’d say delight is the greatest teacher. Watch things that delight you. Read things that delight you. Then, wonder about why they delighted you so much. You don’t necessarily have to emulate them, but in understanding what makes you (and your inner child) happy, you’ll give yourself a solid road map to follow on your creative journey.
Who is your favorite director? Why?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): My favorite director (aside from the insanely talented Samantha Joia, of course) would have to be Denis Villeneuve. After watching Dune 2 in theaters, I couldn’t help but think to myself,
“If someone brought one of my alien worlds to life with that level of passion and attention to detail, the sheer joy would have me levitating.”
I write a lot about places that are so different from Earth, and naturally, they take a lot of world building. It’s my favorite part of the writing process, being a tiny god for a bit. When I heard Mr. Villeneuve speak on how he wanted the film to feel like a completely foreign place, from the music to the costuming to the visuals, I knew I would give anything to see one of my stories adapted through a lens exactly like that someday.
What advice would you give screenwriters around the world?
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera (BMR): We are, all of us, tiny gods. Please tell us the most adventurous, outlandish stories living in your heart. Show up to the page with boundless joy and unwavering authenticity. Let us into the worlds you see. As a screenwriter, I’ve often found myself feeling self-conscious about my work. I wonder if anyone out there will care about these little pocket dimensions, these tiny quests beyond space and time. I worry that if I share them, it’ll mean sharing the most intimate, vulnerable, unfiltered parts of my soul.
It is. But there is beauty in this intimacy. There is connection in this vulnerability. The only way we can find those meant to be in our lives is through moving through the world with utmost authenticity. That’s why I’m challenging myself to be open, honest, and true when I write. That’s why I challenge other screenwriters to do the same when they write. If our hearts live in our stories, then our stories can be the channels through which we find community, make positive change, and build a better world.
Tell us what you think of the interview with Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera. What do you think of it? What ideas did you get? Do you have any suggestions? Or did it help you? Let’s have your comments below and/or on Facebook or Instagram! Or join me on Twitter.
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