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Screenwriter Oscar Torres came to attention with his powerful story based on his life in Voces Inocentes directed by Luis Mandoki (WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE) went on to win various awards around the world including a nomination for the Ariel for best film in Mexico --the equivalent to the Academy Award.

Voces Inocentes jump started Torres' career and his latest writing effort is now on DVD - Mancora, a drama about about three lost souls traveling together by car hoping for a vacation from their troubles but it soon turns into an emotionally charged journey. 

CineMovie chatted with the up and coming screenwriter about his future projects including a Pedro Infante film and he shares his writing methods and techniques.

After writing such a heart-wrenching story based on your life in war torn El Salvador in Voces Inocentes, was it a relief writing a fictional story such as Mancora?

Torres: Yes, that's why I chose this project because it was light enough. 

As a writer, how do you prepare yourself for a writing session? 

Torres: It depends on whether I've given myself a deadline or not.  Right now for example, I'm working on a homage to the music of Pedro Infante (Mexico's silver screen legend and singer).  Since that film has financing there are deadlines I need to meet.  When I'm rewriting, I give myself three days but if I'm writing something from scratch, I give myself fives days.  I write twenty pages a day no matter what especially if there is a deadline and in five days, you have one hundred pages of a script.

Tell us more about the Pedro Infante homage.  Is there an actor in mind for the role of the legendary Mexican crooner?

Torres: We're talking to Alejandro Fernandez right now.  We haven't closed anything yet but we're in conversations. 

That will definitely be a film to look out for.  

What is your procedure in writing a script?  Do you start with a treatment or index cards?

Torres: It depends on the story.  Each story is different.  I've learned to do outlines.  I wasn't a fan of outlines but I discovered prior to writing a script, it's  a good map.  It's so easy afterwards.  For example, I'm working on the Pulitzer Prize winning book Enrique's Journey and I worked on the outline for two weeks.  Once I had the outline, I sat down to write the script in four days.  It's a beautiful tool to have.

Many screenwriters write with actors in mind.  Is there one actor you've thought of for a future script?

Torres: Yes.  Javier Bardem (Old Country For Old Men, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) would be a dream come true to work with him.  I have an idea in mind but I haven't developed it yet.  I met him a couple of times and not only is he a good artist but a good person.  Working with him would be an ideal thing. 

Oscar Torres' other 'ideal thing' is to one day direct from his own script but he enjoys writing far most and will continues to do as long as the projects keep coming in.  Måncora is now on DVD.