Filmmaker Koura Linda: Creating Art Through Visual Storytelling

Koura Linda

What does it take to thrive as a screenwriter in Hollywood? It demands considerable effort, discipline, dedication, and a profound passion. "You also have to be undeniable," stated Koura Linda, a skilled indie filmmaker. To delve into what truly makes a screenplay successful,

Gemma Magazine interviewed Koura Linda, who is not only a screenwriter but a director and producer. Koura is also the founder of Space Dream Productions, an independent production company. She is highly motivated and passionate, with a clear understanding of her own abilities as well as those of the clients she guides.

Koura Linda

Koura was known for her intricate crepe-paper birthday decorations and for painting murals on any available wall during her childhood. Passionate about creativity, she began drafting character developments, script ideas, and shot lists in notebooks from a young age. As soon as she was legally able to work, she took a job as an art teacher's assistant.

Koura had a natural affinity for the arts and embraced every challenge she encountered. Fast forward about ten years, after joining the art department team one summer, she quickly developed a passion for the field and dedicated the following decade to working in set and event design, eventually moving into full production design. Despite not officially completing high school or attending film school, art school, or college, she recognized the importance of education for personal development and actively sought internships, apprenticeships, and practical experiences. Koura studied acting, writing, camera work, and lighting, worked as a day-player, completed a 3-day rigging intensive to become a certified set rigger, and later collaborated with electrical teams, rigging lights and constructing stages throughout the West Coast from Seattle to Los Angeles to Phoenix to Las Vegas.

After experiencing a sudden and critical medical event, Koura had to reassess her life and determine how to proceed with her physical limitations and disabilities. Committed to making a continued impact in the arts, she adjusted to living with disabilities and sought opportunities to keep telling stories through film. As a Producer, she is able to create an accessible environment for herself and others. In 2013, she founded an accessible independent production company, which she now runs with her husband, Spaceship, and their team. Since September 2016, Space Dream Productions has completed over 30 projects, garnering more than 200 award nominations and winning nearly 70 awards. Over 15 projects have been nominated for or have won "Best Picture" categories at festivals worldwide. Koura has earned "Best Director" awards for five different films.

Space Dream Productions

Space Dream Productions is grounded in the idea that all filmmakers are Ambassadors of Humanity, tasked with sharing their voices. Space Dream Productions hold high levels of knowledge, experience, and professionalism, and an understanding that the world of film is as much a business as it is an art in bringing stories to life -- Space Dream Productions operates through the collaboration of staff, contractors, and an internship program managed by executives with over 50 years combined experience with and in the film industry who understand (and have repeatedly done) every single various parts of producing a film. Space Dream Productions creates quality art through every step of visual storytelling.

Unlike numerous production companies that either concentrate exclusively on creativity or blend educational and entertaining elements, these companies excel in storytelling rather than commercial and advertising content. Space Dream Productions backs this storytelling by supporting every phase from development through expertly crafted productions, efficiently handling all elements of production, from pre-production planning to post-production, including festivals and distribution. Their client work for fellow creatives, artists, activists, and educators focuses upon providing creative services through collaboration.

Space Dream Productions values maintaining high-quality work and work ethic while continuing to innovate storytelling. Filmmakers have the responsibility of creating visual worlds around the stories they tell. For this reason Space Dream Productions focuses on creating films that they feel will not only entertain, but aim to showcase pieces of humanity.

In 2019, Koura was honored with the Mico Award in Las Vegas for her courage, innovation, and excellence in the film industry. She was recognized as the NOVA International Film Festival Artist of the Year in 2023. One of her feature screenplays, "Nine Tenths of The Law," co-written with her creative partner Nick Gambino, became a Slamdance Screenplay Quarter Finalist, ranking in the Top 30 out of over 4000 screenplays for 2023. Koura is constantly engaged in film development and supporting budding filmmakers. This interview will provide insight into her creative process.

You have always been highly creative, but what inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I wish I could provide a lengthy and meaningful explanation for this, but ultimately, it's just because I did. My main focus is on producing and directing, with a preference for directing. However, writing is incredibly enjoyable, and I love collaborating with writers, developing scripts as a producer, and creating my own stories to bring to life as a director.

As the head of Space Dream Productions, the film and media production company I founded in 2013, I'm fortunate to engage in many creative projects, including screenwriting, alongside the administrative tasks involved in running any business.

You took classes within the arts (writing, acting, camera, and lighting), but overall, you are self-taught, correct?

While I have participated in many classes, such as general creative writing courses, I do not have a formal, extensive education in the arts.

You are so creatively ambitious and driven. What fuels that?

I do not know any other way to be.

When did you decide to form a production company for film, and tell us a bit about Space Dream Productions?

After almost 15 years in and around Hollywood, I had a change of life landscape after becoming a wheelchair user. While I was able to walk again after some time, I never would have been able to live up to the physical demands of the traditional film industry. I started Space Dream Productions to showcase what powerful stories can do, regardless of the physical ability or disability of the people telling the stories.

Space Dream Productions is now a film and media production company, both creating films in house and providing filmmaking services for hire, while also utilizing the film and storytelling skills to assist brands, businesses, and individuals to share their story with the world through production of podcasts, videos, commercials, and social media content.

Space Dream Productions values maintaining high-quality work and work ethic while continuing to innovate storytelling. Filmmakers have the responsibility of creating visual worlds around the stories they tell. For this reason Space Dream Productions focuses on creating films that they feel will not only entertain, but aim to showcase pieces of humanity.

There is no specific formula for becoming a screenwriter. However, what do you think are the key elements that make a screenplay stand out in today's market?

One of our partners captured it perfectly by stating that being good is no longer enough – you must be undeniable. Instead of trying to write the next big "Star Wars," concentrate on crafting your own story. Write it with care. Develop characters, not clichés. Create genuine dialogue, not exchanges that sound like they're from a 90s sitcom (unless that's your specific goal).

The best way to get a script produced is to stop waiting for approval and just make your movie. The glorification of first-time successes adds undue pressure on creatives. Most debut films are messy, and that's completely acceptable. Simply create, learn, gain experience, and grow. Since "Names On The Wall" came out in 2016, I've directed and produced many films. It's still available on Amazon Prime, and I continue to learn with every script I write and every film I direct or produce, as well as with each award I win.

Can you discuss a time when you received constructive criticism? How did it influence your writing?

One of the most insightful pieces of feedback I received was about my dialogue. In real life, conversations aren't perfect. People don't all sound the same, nor do they always say "Hello. How are you? I'm fine. Thank you. How are you?" They don't always respond flawlessly, and they don't mention each other's names every few sentences. People interrupt each other and don't verbally explain everything they're doing and why.

This feedback encouraged me to write dialogue that reflects how people truly speak. Additionally, if you're a writer, find a place where people are conversing and listen to them. Craft your scripts to resemble those real conversations, rather than imitating poorly written scripts.

How do you inspire and encourage other aspiring screenwriters?

Through my podcast, Filmmaking (actually), I have several episodes on writing. I share tips and tricks on the Space Dream Productions social media and through our email list, email updates.

How would you describe your typical writing process? Do you have a specific routine or environment that helps you?

The most important thing is to write. You can't edit a page that hasn't been written. The pressure from social media and writer groups to produce something extraordinary right away is harmful. Who cares about your first draft? Just write it. You don't have to show it to anyone or even mention that you've written it. Simply get it down on paper. Sometimes I write with music, other times in silence. It depends on what I'm working on and how developed the story is before I start. Short-term writing challenges are also beneficial because they prevent overthinking and encourage you to just put words on the page. You can't improve it if you don't write it. So I focus on getting it written and then refining it from there.

How do you develop your characters? Do you have a favorite character that comes to mind?

It depends on the story. The characters usually develop as I'm writing.

I love so many of the characters in our stories. They are all very different from each other, and I like that the most.

How do you assist other aspiring screenwriters with rejection?

Rejection is tough. It’s unpleasant and will always be that way. Even my most successful mentors, who have been nominated for the Academy Awards, still face rejection. I have received over 200 award nominations and have personally won or been involved in projects that have won more than 70 awards, including multiple Emmy Awards. Unfortunately, this doesn’t make it any easier to handle rejection. It’s about persevering and finding alternative ways to achieve your goals without relying on others’ approval. It's easier said than done, but not impossible. To offer a pathway for getting scripts produced, Space Dream Productions launched a screenplay competition, with the winning script being produced as part of the grand prize.

What methods do you use to structure your stories? Are you a fan of any particular storytelling frameworks?

Not really. I like to write and allow the story to unfold naturally. Writing to fit a checklist or framework means I'm creating a framework, not a story. That's not how creativity functions for me. While some people need more structure to boost their creativity, it doesn't suit me. I prefer stories that emphasize storytelling over following formulaic patterns.

Who are some of your favorite screenwriters, and how have they influenced some of your work?

Sarah Daly and Nick Gambino. I wouldn't be a screenwriter at all today without either of them. At least not in the way I am.

Are you currently working on a screenplay, and what themes are you exploring?

Yes, several! For feature films, one is an adaptation of Claudia Hagadus Long's novel, "Nine Tenths of the Law," which I co-wrote with Nick Gambino. The film delves into themes of family, sisterhood, the Holocaust, family trauma, legacy, and contemporary dangers. Another project is an expansion of our short film, "The Heist," co-written by me, Sarah M. Penn, and Stevie Collins, focusing on themes of disability, representation, equity, and surviving in a challenging world. We also have an optimistic horror film titled "One Fine Day," with a story by me and Amelia Cuttle, which explores themes of responsibility, accountability, and the question of whether anyone is coming to save you. Additionally, there's an optimistic drama called "Comic Relief," written by me, Alex Hawthorne, and Spaceship, examining themes of pursuing dreams later in life and the harmful effects of functional alcoholism and anxiety. Lastly, there's a drama named "Dancing Beyond," written by Sarah Daly and based on Monica Cancucci's book, which explores themes of life, death, and self-discovery.

We're also working on a short film titled "Dot, Dot, Dot," co-written by my husband and me, while moving the winning screenplay of our 2024 screenplay competition, "My Man" by Dan Jablons, into production!

For additional information on Koura Linda and Space Dream Productions:

www.spacedreamproductions.com

https://www.instagram.com/spacedreamproductions/

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=space%20dream%20productions