Not many people can say they are living their dream. Not many can say that they love their jobs or did what they set out to do. Some fear failure, some even fear success. Some just find a reason to exist instead of live. There are a few, however, who stay on course, defy the odds and make life their own—the go-getters, trendsetters, the ones we envy and want to be, the determined, the defined, the fearless.
For Deedee Benkovich, growing up in Hlohovec, Slovakia was like living in a movie— the picturesque, artistic charms, traditional small towns. Known as the Rome of Slovakia, Hlohovec had its own little bit of history, evidenced by the remnants of the Renaissance-Baroque castle built in 1720 that reminds everyone of the Erdődy presence to this day. However, this talented Dáma (to quote Tangled) had a dream.
“I went to High School in Trnava, even got my first BA degree there, but it was all going to end with a job I wouldn’t enjoy doing. I grew up in a small town, with big city dreams. So I decided to give it a shot elsewhere.”
Attending London Metropolitan University in London England, she spent three years earning her BFA in Film and Broadcasting, focusing mainly on Screenplay. “I started watching TV shows like ‘Bones’ that really drew my attention to writing. In my spare time I started writing my own ‘Bones’ episodes and it was so much fun I decided this is what I want to do professionally—write stories for the screen. My dream of Film and TV world started to become a reality when I moved to do a Filmmaking bachelors degree in London. I always wanted to live in London and this was a great moment to combine my love for film and London. At this point I completely found myself and my goal in life became crystal clear.”
When she completed her time in London, she continued her studies here in the good ol’ United States of America in Tinsel Town as we call it, Los Angeles. Soaking in the sun, mingling with Hollywood’s finest as well as finding her way into the writing world of screenplay, DeeDee graduated from The New Work Film Academy with her Masters in Screen Writing.
With her heart set on Disney, her work is mainly for younger generations. “I’m writing a feature film for Rough Diamond Productions with the British Producer Julia Verdin, who is well established in Hollywood. It’s a family comedy feel-good movie. And it’s going to be awesome. I’m also involved in writing and drawing a sequential art piece (comic book) with my writing partner. It’s going to be a 4-issue series for young readers 7+ and I can’t wait for everyone to see the final project.”
“I’m writing a feature film for Rough Diamond Productions with the British Producer Julia Verdin, who is well established in Hollywood. It’s a family comedy feel good movie. And it’s going to be awesome. I’m also involved in writing and drawing a sequential art piece (comic book) with my writing partner. It’s going to be a 4 issue series for young readers 7+ and I can’t wait for everyone to see the final project.”
“My work is inspired by the simplicity of a smile. I love writing for kids and my favorite genre is comedy. Seeing a child smile because of something you wrote/created is the best. Seeing the magic in their eyes when they see a Disneyland castle is something that I’m going for. The world is full of drama. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching dramas, hence my love for Bones, but I also watched every bit of Gossip Girl. It’s just not who I am as a writer. I want to bring the positive, happiness and magic that inspires kids and create better people.”
Follow her on Twitter @deedeedott
Published on Style FT
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