Seven6 Productions, LLC

Yesterday, we had our first PSC -Phoenix Screenwriters Connection - meeting. It was a very good meeting. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the group and screenwriting. I think we motivated each other to keep moving forward with our screenplays. We also decided to start and write a group collabrative screenplay. I think that will be a lot of fun - as well as - a great writing and learning experience.

After the meeting we went down to the PFF. As usual, my expectations were so much higher than what I saw. I guess when I hear the word festival - I envision LOTS of people. I would imagine though, most people were inside watching movies - the whole reason for the festival in the first place. We didn’t watch any movies. We went for the seminars. I’d like to go to one of the late night parties. I’m sure they are packed with people.

Yesterday we went to the Robert Forster talk. If you don’t recognize his name as an actor - he was the “boyfriend” in Jackie Brown, a Quentin Tarentino film. He’s been around for a long time acting in the 60’s to present time. Below is a photo of him.

Then there was some entertainment, wine tasting, lots of vendors with informational booths.

Today, we went to the Screenwriters seminar - Script to Screen. There was a very impressive panel discussing the art of screenwriting - as well as - answering questions from the audience. Then the next seminar was about the Arizona film industry’s future. Below is a photo of the screenwriting panel.

I think the festival was a huge success! Maybe next year, I’ll have a film submitted!

I’m spiffing up my challenge. I really like it - but who knows if anyone else will. LOL You can never tell with people. I have to clean it up a few more times before I will feel it is finished. It’s only 4 pages but I read and re-read it constantly. I don’t want any glaring flaws in it. I would love to have it produced, but if I don’t, I know it is a good work — short but good.

I need to get my other short - Heads-up - animated. I think that will be a big challenge. People say they are animator, but they really aren’t. I want a polished piece, not something amatuerish. Soooo … I may have to pay to get it done. Such is life!

I’m still reading and learning alot. I am re-thinking my feature to give it more twists and turns - in other words - make it interesting. That is the total key — make it interesting and a page turner. 

I’ve also read some short stories - good avenue for screenplays. I haven’t found anything I want to adapt yet - but I will continue to look for ideas everywhere.

My Goal - Finish my feature by end of summer!!!! That’s a promise to myself. ;) 

We went to another table reading. I had hoped Dave would be there so we could hear his first 10 pages after revision. He got some rather persistent criticism on his story. I think it’s a good one - but did need to get to the “hook” sooner and make it a bit more interesting in the beginning. I think he took all the ideas to heart and did a rewrite. BUT … alas, he didn’t make it. Hopefully, he’ll be at the meeting today. We have our first PSC meeting today. I am hoping too that we’ll have at least 6 people come. Anyway, there were several new people at the table readings although they didn’t bring any pages to read. I didn’t either. I sat back and listened to the other stories.

I’m not sure if I am really not a writer or what. Many of the comments about the work were very flowery and positive where if I had said my true feelings - they would be - I don’t get it. I’m an artistic person with a concise level head to structure - so I may not grasp these concepts like others. I look for a beginning, middle and end - and I’m missing that.

I really don’t like stating anything negative about a person’s writing at these readings so I keep it to myself. I’m sure others do the same thing. I do try to give positive, constructive criticism when I can … otherwise, I don’t say anything. I think we need to help the story, not tear down the person.

Today we’ll try and hit the PFF and maybe a party or two. I’ve never been to the PFF so it should be a good experience. More on that later …

Reading screenwriting books may seem like something a rank beginner should do, but for me it is very helpful. I read Robert Walter’s book and found that if gave me some really good ideas on how to improve my story. I needed to make it more interesting, have more conflict, more twists - in other words - make it something someone would want to view as a movie — and not sleep through or walk out of.  Another book I just started is the Screenwriter’s Bible. It is recommended by so many people that I had to get it and read it. So far, it’s pretty good. Apparently, it is used by the novice and the pro. I find these books very helpful. By reading - I get ideas and write and change and improve. I want at least one pretty good script to show around.

Tonight is Table Readings again. I’m not bringing anything for the group to read. I find that most understand and “get” my writing, while others find lots of fault with it and say they just don’t like my writing. I guess I need to take criticism, but it could be given in a gentler way. And getting overly picky about spelling isn’t a criticism of the writing or style or format or anything … it’s a bad spell checker! I’d really enjoy some feedback about the story. I do take it all in stride and from whence it comes though. Tonight, I will sit and listen and enjoy everyone’s pages and take in the criticism for the others - mull it over in my head and see if it is valid. I am wondering if one continually sits with the same group over and over and gets the same voices of criticism, is that good? Do we then become one writer if we follow that criticism? Do we lose our own style of writing if we change to conform to the group criticism? Do we lose our voice and become one voice of the group? Are we dunned down by same group criticism? This is what I want to research.

Don’t get me wrong … I have taken some of the criticism and used it to improve, some I totally disregarded … as it should be. 

I went to a table reading session last Wednesday. There were about 10 people there, no one who actually sold a screenplay to Hollywood - at least I don’t think so - that would have been a nice brain to pick. We read each others script pages and critiqued them. The comments were constructive for me and I took what I felt I could use and discarded the rest. That’s how it should be - you are the writer and you should write “your way”. There is no exact format to follow - nothing written in stone. If you took a look at many scripts that were huge hit movies - you would see format sometimes flies out the window. If the concept and idea is good - it’s good no matter if you capitalize the wrong words or have too many … dot, dot, dots or even exclamation points!  I will try to write correctly though - it’s the perfectionism in me.

I’m trying to make every table reading and bring current things I’m writing (nothing earth shattering). One thing I did notice is that when the screenplays are read - many people cannot grasp them. I’m wondering if that is common … or maybe … the intense concentration of trying make sure your read your character has anything to do with it. It’s a question I’d like to find the answer to because many people just didn’t grasp the ideas presented. I know that I was more interested in making sure I didn’t flubb my character than actually listening to the screenplay.

That’s all for now …

I will sell a screenplay to Hollywood!!!

Being involved in a writing/film group really does get your writing juices flowing. Since I’ve been involved, I’ve written and finished several shorts. Plus, I wrote another 15 pages of my feature script. And I’m seeing ideas everywhere. Although everyone has ideas, getting them written and finished that is the trick. I suggest anyone interested in screenwriting who is stuck or fairly new to the medium, seek out a writer/film group.

Finished:

Heat Lightening - Short

The List - Short

Dryer Conversations - Short

Heads-Up - Short

I’ve got a couple more shorts in the works. Most of the finished ones are on the order of Twilight Zone - not sci-fi - but strange happenings.

Until next time …

I wrote a six page short recently about a man playing headsup Texas Holdem poker and his life depends on winning. I have it up on Inktip.com. No takers yet. I’m thinking its because it needs to be animated. The character near the end is pretty impossible to create in real life - making it look real - without a lot of expense involved. So, the reason for animation. I’m looking for someone who can do flash or CGI in the “comic book hero” style. The short is somewhat dark in nature so that type of animation will lend itself well. I think it could really be a good short film. Keeping fingers crossed on this one.

My mind is whirling with ideas. There was a challenge put out by the PIFMG for a 3 minute short. Lots of ideas came to my head and I’ve got several going. One in particular is finished and I really like it. Its about marriage, cheating, murder! all in three minutes. LOL

I went to the PIFMG meeting on the 17th - the goup was small and we really didn’t talk about much. Amanda Melby was there from IFP and ScreenWars. Her talk was interesting. She was promoting her group, ScreenWars, and the Phoenix Film Festival. I think I’ll be attending the festival. It’s really very inexpensive with after parties, etc. 

I started the Phoenix Screenwriters Connection on Meetup.com. We have quite a few members and lots of interest in screenwriting. It is the best way I can think of to get in contact with other writers. We’ll be having a meeting of this group on April 14, 2007. Tomorrow is the Table Readings in Mesa and I’ll try to get there.

Still need to work on my feature film screenplays, but finishing a short was is very satisfying. 

We went to the Arizona Screenwriters Association monthly meeting. The place where it is held is kind of a maze. I almost gave up and went home. But we walked around the building one more time. Although the group this month was small - it was a really good evening. We did 4 table reads of scene challenges. Out of the 4 - 2 I got, 2 I didn’t. I enjoyed hearing the scenes read aloud. The writing sounds very different read aloud. We also found out about a web site that lets screenwriters list their work. They charge a fee for long screenplays - and shorts are free to list. The site is called: InkTip - http://www.inktip.com 

Tonight, I want to go to the table reading group in Mesa. 

** March 1st - Thursday - I went to the A3F festival. There were 453 people in the theater to watch the Top 20 submitted films. They were are very good. The quality of filming was good as were the scripts. After we watched the Top 20 short films, we voted our favorite top 3 and they gave out awards. In the picture, you can see boxes stacked. Inside those boxes were cakes! One restaurant sponsor gave the tops 20 filmmakers cakes. It was a fun, interesting evening.

** March 3 - Saturday - I went to a Screenwriting seminar at the Peoria Film Festival. Prof. Richard Walter from UCLA film school was the speaker. He was excellent and personable. He will be a great contact for submitting my screenplays. I purchased his book and had him sign it for me. He also has a seminar (day long) in CA in April. I want to attend it.

After the screenwriting seminar - I listened to a distribution seminar. I’m not at that point yet, but it was interesting. I then watch several short films. They were okay but really need further work. I give them all the credit in the world though for even trying.