May 25, 2012

Sammy Scott

by MovieMaker Staff | Published February 28, 2007

The creative process, in any form, can be cathartic. It certainly was in the case of up-and-coming screenwriter Sammy Scott. At just 16 years old, the Upstate New York resident finished high school in two years, holds down a full-time waitressing job and, at 13, completed a screenplay.

Perfect Payback is a story inspired by her school-year experiences dealing with the everyday trials of being a teenager and the anguish of being bullied. The screenplay follows five teenagers, aged 13 and 14, as they each confront bullying in different forms. At first silent victims of their tormentors, the five teenagers band together and decide to stand up for themselves and finally face their bullies.

Scott channeled her emotions and firsthand familiarity with bullies into an empowering work for all audiences, not just teenagers. Writing the script also allowed her to confront what she has faced in her own life in a way she wasn’t prepared for: “I feel no need to really talk about my memories of that time, so putting it into words on paper was like a weight off my chest,” Scott says. “I hadn’t realized it until I began writing. It was like being able to feel those emotions that I hadn’t let myself feel for so long. The words just poured out.”

The honesty Scott conveyed in Perfect Payback has garnered attention from Hollywood, and it won’t be long until her words are brought to life. But right now, she’s happy using the screenplay to give teenagers confidence to confront the issues they face daily, be they human bullies or emotional ones.

Sound Off: Sammy Scott is using her experiences with bullies to confront a significant problem many teenagers face. What film has been most effective at dealing and exploring the issues teenagers face?

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Comment by on 2/28/07 at 5:46 pm

I think one of the first films to really deal with teenage issues was Rebel Without A Cause. James Dean’s character faced so many issues that teens still face today - acceptance, bullying, friendship and parents relating to their children. It sounds like Sammy’s screenplay like Rebel Without A Cause is making a powerful statement and bringing to light insight on some important problems teens face on a daily basis.
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Comment by Peter Wirth on 3/20/07 at 10:18 am

Hi,

I’m trying to reach Sammy regarding a free workshop for playwrites that the Redhouse in Syracuse, NY is offering April 6 from 2 - 4 pm. Please pass along my e-mail address.
. I want to send her a description of the workshop.

Pete Wirth
315-476-3396

Comment by Evelyn on 5/13/07 at 10:35 pm

I am absolutely stunned at the fact that you graduated from high school in two years. But I am more amazed at the fact that you completed a screen play at the age of 13. I am currently attending Harvard, and Know how complicated it is to come up with a good screen play that every producer will like. I am 26 years old and I still strive for a screen play of the best of my abilities. I AM UTTERLY AMAZED. I APPLAUD YOUR TALENTS.

Comment by deinstitutionalization on 11/16/07 at 7:39 pm