Sunday, May 5, 2013

Open Topic Transcript EURO Chat May 5, 2013

Our transcript saga continues, but I managed to grab most of the EURO transcript on Open Topic! We're just missing the first few minutes... I think. @jeannevb

EURO Moderator: Teenie Russell @teenierussell


It's O'Clock! It's an Open Topic tonight, come say hi!


 
@DebbieBMoon I wrote and produced a web series which is out soon, so they asked me to do an article about that. @ComfortFoodTV #scriptchat


 
@SiFoulaReel Hi there! #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon working on a sitcom idea #scriptchat


 
@SohoGuy how does that work? Do youw rite the music too or just lyrics? #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Hello! How's things? #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell @DebbieBMoon #Scriptchat Finished a sitcom treatment for the agent to send round, and working up a radio idea.


 
@vickyhinault @Gordondon Hello! #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon Hello, i've been doing the final 2 chapters of my novel rewrite - back to my script when i've finished! #scriptchat


 
@Sandy_Nicholson cool, Comfort Food seems to be getting around, good job #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat I seem to be in a phase where I'm endlessly finishing up old projects, rather than starting new. Anyone else get that?


 
@vickyhinault what's next on the novel front? will you be querying agent or publishers? #scriptchat


 
@ComedyBurble good luck! What does the treatment for the sitcom cover? 1ep, 6eps? #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon I've got 3 specs that have been through lots of rewrites. Was finally happy with them last year, but now think... #scriptchat


 
Also been unfortunately failing to start something. First time people have been badgering me about a script and I'm bricking it. #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon Yes, that's where I'm at now, too many unfinished old projects so time to focus on those rather than anything new. #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon ...my descriptions have improved & quickened a lot after writing TV pilot, so redoing *just* action lines in all 3. #scriptchat


 
@Sandy_Nicholson Go for it! #Scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Ta; Just the idea, characters, and a breakdown of the first episode. #Scriptchat


 
The sitcom I'm outlining is an idea I had over a year ago, so looking into my older files and working on those #scriptchat


 
@Sandy_Nicholson Just start writing. It'll be shite to start with, then get better, then you'll be over the fear. #Scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon #scriptchat Yup! A co-written project has gone thru too many incarnations. Decided to lay it to rest and start that solo idea.


 
GALAXY QUEST is a great little flick. Way more clever than it gets credit for. Solid writing. Plus: Sam Rockwell & Alan Ri\u2026
Retweeted by Romona Robinson


 
@teenierussell the one I am working on is one I have been thinking about for a while. Working on the characters at the moment #scriptchat


 
@ComedyBurble Is that what's normally asked for? #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat That balance between finishing the old ideas and coming up with the new ideas is tricky sometimes, isn't it?


 
@SohoGuy Yeah I've been trying that, but still seem to 2nd guess myself. Maybe time to move on to scene 2 and come back. #scriptchat


 
@bopzybee Just constant "is this the best way to open this?" "Is that funny enough?


 
@Amazon_Studios is guesting on tonight's #scriptchat. This is access people; get those questions ready! #screenwriting


 
I keep having new ideas but I'm not developing any of them, three now in different stages of development #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Can add more ep ideas, but reader should already know if they like the idea, hook 'em but don't overstay welcome! #Scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon #scriptchat That is always my problem. The new idea always seems better than the one I'm working on. This can be distracting.


 
@SohoGuy ah OK, have you seen Adam Buxton Bug? #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Then can fill in more if anyone is interested! #Scriptchat


 
May is Movies You Made month at GITS. Today: "Marianne" by Swedish filmmaker Filip Tegstedt http://t.co/fmAZ51tMN2 #scr\u2026
Retweeted by Hanna Olsson


 
@Gordondon @DebbieBMoon Always! I can't write a project without thinking of another more appealing one! #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Agents! Had some feedback from a publisher with some recommendations. #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @Gordondon Forcing myself to spend next 2 weeks clearing the decks of unfinished projects. Then a week on set, then - new stuff!


 
@vickyhinault ScaDOOOSH! #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @teenierussell Yes, the new one is always more exciting - because it's unwritten and I haven't stuffed it up yet! :


 
@ComedyBurble makes sense; I try to have an idea for ep1-6 before writing ep1 for my own benefit, helps me visualise series arc #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon I have vowed to put all other ideas aside and finish my sitcom pilot, otherwise it'll never get written. #scriptchat


 
@SohoGuy I just loved the YouTube comments bit and video interpretations, very funny #scriptchat


 
#scriptchat Has anyone read any good screenplays lately?


 
Once #writing has become your major vice & greatest pleasure, only death can stop it\u2014Hemingway http://t.co/f3qPdkpG2c#scriptchat #writetip


 
@vickyhinault hoping to get mine finishes one day #scriptchat


 
We're half-way through Euro #scriptchat and it's an Open Topic, come tell us what you've been up to or just say hi #scriptchat


 
Once #writing has become your major vice & greatest pleasure, only death can stop it\u2014Hemingway http://t.co/f3qPdkpG2c #s\u2026
Retweeted by Jordan Serson


 
#Scriptchat @vickyhinault I've been horribly lax about reading screenplays recently. Must make more effort.


 
@maxwellhubbard Cool, what kind of thing are you writing? #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault sadly not, all my reading time has been focused on novels lately. I've just finished Neverwhere - so good! #scriptchat


 
@DebbieBMoon I'm trying to alternate with books. Finishing White House Down tonight, definitely worth a read. #scriptchat


 
@Gordondon I have a few notebook where I write down ideas and notes and then back to current project #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault re-read The Social Network script. Love its structure and dialogue. #scriptchat


 
.@rwwfilm Brad, @Amazon_Studios isn't guest tonight. Guests are @PitchfestBob & @Screenwriter12 of #GAPF http://t.co/i8ICeTSy57#scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault #scriptchat Little Miss Sunshine. Had me LOL'ing in a coffee shop. Still, my fave is Benjamin Button for its poetic prose.


 
#Scriptchat @vickyhinault I've been re-reading novels by a fave author, after talking to producer looking for novels to adapt. Fun!


 
@Gordondon That is one of my favourites. Aaron Sorkin is somewhat a genius. His TV show Studio 60 is also utterly brilliant #scriptchat


 
How do you all feel about bringing Movie Nights back to scriptchat? We'd find a film with a script that's available online(1of2 #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @Gordondon @vickyhinault Social Network is a wonderful script. Breaks so many "rules


 
then give enough notice so everyone can get a chance to read the script and/or watch the film. Any thoughts? (2of2 #scriptchat


 
@NamingJasonC Oh, i've not seen or read Benjamin Button so i'll check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Excellent idea. I need somewhere to park the new ones and to forget about them so I can focus on the current one #scriptchat


 
@NamingJasonC Love LMS script, so many little details that I hadn't noticed in film. #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault one of my favourite shows, really disappointed when it was cancelled. #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault @Gordondon loved Studio 60, such a shame it got cancelled #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault Also the pilot script for Breaking Bad is a good read #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell @gordondon Yes, i was very late to the party on it but would have loved more than one season. #scriptchat


 
@Gordondon That one's a very strange read. "NEOOWW there's cow poo, what the?" #scriptchat


 
@shaniamanya It used to be popular for a while, then people stopped joining in, might give it another go. It got me reading #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell I really like that idea #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @teenierussell Certainly worth a try now and then..?


 
@Sandy_Nicholson I really liked Gilligan's descriptions in it, made it a fun read. #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @teenierussell Certainly worth a try now and then..?
Retweeted by Paul browne


 
Thank you for the feedback, we'll get one in the schedule and see how it goes. Pst @TaroJ #scriptchat


 
#scriptchat made my first post on @TheBlackBoard feels like im new in high school... will people like me? but they're so cool!!! #nervous


 
Does anyone else here us Tweetchat? If so, can you see the red bar saying we'll no longer be able to use it? ^^ #scriptchat


 
.@rwwfilm Brad, @Amazon_Studios isn't guest tonight. Guests are @PitchfestBob & @Screenwriter12 of #GAPF http://t.co/i8IC\u2026
Retweeted by Signe Olynyk


 
@teenierussell I see it... ugh #scriptchat


 
@jeannevb It's so handy, shame. #scriptchat


 
RT: @DebbieBMoon Social Network is a wonderful script. Breaks so many "rules


 
@vickyhinault have you seen either Newsroom or The West Wing? #scriptchat


 
@teenierussell Started The Newsroom but was very underwhelmed. The west wing is next up after I finish The Sopranos #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault @teenierussell Thought it had lots of potential. The West Wing scripts are also a great read. #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault My problem with Newsroom was that I liked the B characters so much more than the main ones. #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault The neeeewsroooom was super aaawfuull is a song I wrote while telling the truth about how bad the newsroom was #scriptchat


 
#scriptchat Watched 1st season of Newsroom. Excellent. Is the script available?


 
@vickyhinault @Gordondon I like Sorkin but sometimes his speeches are a bit too worthy #scriptchat


 
@vickyhinault @teenierussell The West Wing is a wonderful show. It shows that great characters really are key to a TV show. #scriptchat


 
@NamingJasonC not sure, I haven't searched for them myself #scriptchat


 
Next week we have a fantastic guest joining us, it's the one and only @DebbieBMoon #scriptchat


 
#scriptchat speaking of gr8 scripts. It's almost #TheVillage o'clock. (But of course a script only really sparkles with superb acting.


 
Later tonight the US will be joined by @Screenwriter12 and @PitchfestBob from GAPF - 8pmEDT #scriptchat


 
#Scriptchat @teenierussell Looking forward to it!!


 
The West Wing, seven seasons of guilt sitting on my shelf screaming "Why haven't you watched me yet?" #Scriptchat


 
Thank you all for the chat tonight! #scriptchat

Friday, May 3, 2013

Dara Marks - One Day Seminar in Washington, DC

Dara Marks is one of my favorite screenwriting experts. Her book Inside Story is on my short list of must haves. It's one of the few resources I have found that speaks to more advanced writers as well as beginners. 


On May 11th, Dara is teaching an Inside Story seminar in Washington, DC and is offering Scriptchat a DISCOUNT! 
When you enter code DC2013, you'll get a discount off the regular price of $240 and will only pay $195.


Inside Story is a comprehensive seminar that will take you into the depths of the writing process and teach you how to build a great screenplay from the inside out.

Not only will you acquire a deeper and more thorough understanding of your story's core elements—plot, character, and theme—but you will gain a whole new set of tools to write scripts that will make movie executives stand up and pay attention and theater audiences stand up and cheer.

Inside Story will make you a better writer by helping you get to the heart of what you're really writing, which allows you to focus on expressing your unique creative vision.

Most important, the Inside Story seminar opens up the most powerful means of building a solid and compelling story structure—the transformational arc of character.



TIME AND LOCATION:


9:30am - 5:00pm, Saturday, May 11
Hotel Palomar Washington DC
2121 P Street NW  Washington DC, 20037
Phone: (202) 448-1800





Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Great American Pitchfest 10th Anniversary!


Signe Olynyk @Screenwriter12 and Bob Schultz @PitchfestBob of The Great American Pitchfest will be guesting on USA Scriptchat Sunday, May 5th at 5:00pm PST! 


SIGNE OLYNYK is President/CEO of Protagonist Pictures Inc. in Los Angeles, and Man In A Box Films. in Canada. She has associate produced two feature films, as well as written/produced several documentaries, one hour specials, tv pilots, and a six part series. Her work has been seen on the CBC, Discovery Channel, FOX, the BBC, and she has professional credits on more than 120 productions. BELOW ZERO, starring Edward Furlong (Terminator II, American History X, The Green Hornet), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, Scooby Doo, Weird Science, The Devil's Rejects), and Kristin Booth (Young People F*cking, The Kennedys, Crackie) is a feature film she wrote and recently produced in Canada. Signe created and founded the Great American PitchFest, the Great British PitchFest, and the Great Canadian PitchFest as a way to help other writers meet the people they need to know for their careers to move forward. As a direct result, hundreds of writers have developed professional relationships with executives, had their scripts optioned, been hired for writing assignments, or been signed with agents or managers. The PitchFest has also allowed Signe to develop relationship with more than 1,000 industry executives around the world, and she routinely partners new writers with these companies and agencies for representation and script development.

BOB SCHULTZ has been the Executive Director of the Great American Pitchfest & Screenwriting Conference (GAPF) for ten years, helping to develop a community of screenwriters and make the GAPF the #1 rated pitchfest and screenwriting conference in the world. In 2012, The Great American PitchFest crossed the Atlantic to christen The Great British PitchFest. Joining the Great Canadian PitchFest on the international scene, Bob and GAPF founder/screenwriter Signe Olynyk have grown their event – the only one of its kind created by screenwriters for screenwriters – to reflect the international marketplace for screenplays and independent film.

Bob and Signe produced the thriller BELOW ZERO, starring Edward Furlong (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, American History X, The Green Hornet) and Michael Berryman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Hills Have Eyes, Weird Science), which has won 16 awards and been in more than 30 festivals worldwide. BELOW ZERO is currently in worldwide distribution. They are currently producing the zombie thriller BREAKDOWN LANE (written and directed by Bob), which begins principle photography this July, celebrating the Great American PitchFest’s 10th Anniversary, and the second annual Great British PitchFest for Fall, 2013 in London.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Great American PitchFest & Screenwriting Conference returns for its tenth exciting year, May 31 – June 2, 2013 at the Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center (2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA  91505) with more options than ever:

MASTER CLASSES: Luke Ryan from Paramount will be teaching a powerful ‘World Building’ class on becoming a professional, global screenwriter.  On The Page’s Pilar Alessandra will be helping writers whip their screenplays and pitches into shape in the popular ‘PitchFest Prep Class’, and Career Consultant, Lee Jessop will offer an intensive screenwriting master class on everything from how to get an agent, to how to launch your spec script and create a professional career.

“YOUR CAREER IN A DAY” POWER CLASSES: Immerse yourself in 15 half hour, power classes and learn everything from ‘Crafting Great Dialogue’, ‘Creating Great Villains’, and ‘Mastering Theme & Character Arcs’ to how to ‘Structure Your Screenplay’, ‘Get An Agent’, and ‘Pitch Like A Pro’.  End your day inspired and enlightened.  $120 gets you all the tools you need in one day.  Includes lunch.

PITCHING: Pitch to approximately 120 Agents, Manager, and Production Companies.  Tickets are sold to only 500 writers.  Event sells out each year.

EXECUTIVE LUNCHEONS & PARTIES: Join us for our tenth anniversary as we celebrate our biggest and best year yet.  More parties and networking opportunities than ever before!

FREE CLASSES: More than 20 free panels, workshops, and sessions with screenwriters discussing their craft, with advice and support from some of the most respected producers, agents, and studio executives in the business.  These classes are absolutely free to anyone who wishes to attend, no catch.  (Just RSVP to info@pitchfest.com to attend & arrive early to ensure seating.)  Don’t miss out on our ten year celebration (or the cake!)

 Visit www.pitchfest.com for details.   BE YOUR OWN PROTAGONIST – at the only screenwriting conference created BY writers FOR writers.  Join the #1 Rated PitchFest (Script Magazine) and make this your year for screenwriting success!