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Introduce Yourself to The Group
Hi everyone,
I’m glad you’ve joined us for the class.
To start the class out, please introduce yourself below. That will give you a chance to be part of this group and learn how the forums work.
Tell us the following:
1. Name?
2. How many scripts you’ve written?
3. What you hope to get out of the class?
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
We look forward to working with you all!
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41 Replies
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1. Name? Ron Reid Jr.
2. How many scripts you’ve written? 7+, including TV production and 15+ awards, screenings in the USA, Europe and Asia. But I consider myself, “still learning!” to get better at my craft.
3. What you hope to get out of the class? To keep myself on the edge of a changing industry and improve my writing to a level that a producer or actor will want to work with me and my work.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? A lot of people hearing or meeting me in Europe and Asia and even Americans think I am from the States, but I am Canadian and was raised on American TV.
We look forward to working with you all!
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Nice to meet you, Ron! That’s an impressive resume you have there. Dayum.
Looking forward to learning with you 🙂
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Hello Cherry, Tasha and class,
I might have a lot of accomplishments but I am still learning. I am looking to going beyond what I have done and keeping ahead of what is yet to come. All of us are starting off at the same playing level. So, all of us are able to have the potential to do so much more.
Thank you for reading,
Ron
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Hi everyone… my name is David Agnew Penn, I’ve written about 30 scripts (1 produced, 4 optioned). I’m hoping to absorb as much knowledge as possible to improve my skills. Something unique? I spent six months in Costa Rica (and still can’t speak Spanish:)
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Hola, David! Mucho gusto!
That’s the sad extent of my Spanish. I’m hoping to learn more soon, maybe after this course.
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Welcome David,
Looking forward to learning with you and the other students in this class. And being all we can be.
Ron
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1. Name?
I’M DEB STENARD, but I sign my scripts D. A. Stenard
Questions for EVERYONE: RECENTLY, I had a exec tell me not to put initals as my name on my scripts. Particularly the initials D.A. He said it is because when MEN see these intials, they think of the words DUMB ASS, espcially applying to women. Please tell me he was a misogynist and totally wrong.
2. How many scripts you’ve written?
I have written about 22 scripts, including shorts, features, TV, pilots, etc. Couple of options, produced my short film myself. Many of those scripts written with the help of Hal & Cheryl!
3. What you hope to get out of the class?
I never thought of writing a series. But realizing that most of what I have watched in the past 18 months hae been series and then falling totally in love with TED LASSO, I want to write somethihng that good.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
My next screenplay will be about Pat Moriarty. He rode against Pancho Villa, was once known as the World’s Greatest Safe Cracker, spent 20 years in Sing Sing and I went to his funeral when I was 12, because he was my great uncle.
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Hi Deb,
I’ve never heard of D.A. as shorthand for ‘dumb ass.’ When I see DA, I think of District Attorney… anyway, love your concept- sounds fascinating.
David
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Thanks. I was really taken aback that he would say that to me. I guess he thougth he was being helpful?… I joke and call myself District Attny. Stenard. Maybe my Great Uncle coulda used me back in the day!
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Nice to meet you, Deborah!
Uncle Pat sounds like quite the character! Lots of juicy material for a biography series.
I’ve never heard of D.A. being short for dumb ass. Maybe someone told him that to see if he’d repeat it and sound like one himself. You know, for the irony.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by Tasha McLeod.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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Hello DEB,
And I won’t think you are a dumb ass. We are all on the same level playing field for this course. I also love Ted Lasso and hope to write something as binge-worthy as that show as well.
Great you have written some scripts already.
I am sure you will do many more great things when this course is done.
Cheers,
Ron
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Hi Deb: I’m Gloria. Your next screenplay sounds amazing especially since you would have access to a great deal of personal knowledge.
Don’t pay attention to executives or anyone who doesn’t give constructive criticism. D.A. also means District Attorney to me, so let everyone think you’re a lawyer and they won’t mess with you. Talk to you soon!
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1. Gloria Katch
2. I’ve written about five features, a play, a sitcom for writing class, a comedy short.
3. Spit and polish. My work definitely needs that. I hope this class will help me find my voice or at least develop more confidence in using it. I need to be more consistent/disciplined in writing. I’d also like to learn more about marketing myself.
4. I don’t know if there’s anything particularly unique about me, but with writing I like many genres and would like to be able to successfully write in all of them or create interesting hybrids, if possible. I find satire and quirky things interesting. I’m Canadian and live in the Niagara Falls area, which is quite the yawn-fest especially now, unless your watching for bodies going over the falls.
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Hi Gloria
I sense a kindred-spirit in you, although you are far further along than I am.
Happy to meet you!
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I’m also from Canada, about 2 hours north east of you around the lake. Do you know that other city, Toronto?
Hoping you find your voice in this class and bring your genre-writing to a whole new level.
All the best,
Ron
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Hello Cheryl and Fellow Members
My name is Tasha McLeod and I have completed exactly zero scripts. This will be my second class with SWU; the first was The Profound Screenwriter way back in 2015, long before the apocalypse.
I hope to see at least one project through to fruition while taking this class. I am besotted by stories and bursting with ideas but lack the self-discipline and knowledge to bring one to life. Plenty of passion, precious progress.
As for something unique, unusual, special or strange about me? I spent my childhood summer days near Goodeve, Saskatchewan (population 40) climbing over straw bails and under haystacks, tearing around the family homestead with soon-to-be-boiler chickens and coyote-killing farm dogs.
And would you believe that not once during all those timeless winter nights, while I was hunkered down beneath a blanket of stars, surrounded by stacks of mail-order Reader’s Digests, hardcover Time-Life Magazines, and Simpsons-Sears Catalogues, did I imagine that I would end up spending twenty-five years writing technical reports for oil patch engineers and executives in downtown Cowtown? Not once!
I imagined a lot of things, but not that.
It is a real pleasure meeting you all. I look forward to learning with you!
Tasha
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by Tasha McLeod.
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Welcome another Canuck,
We all didn’t imagine we would be where we are today but imagine after this course and Hal’s voice intro toward where we we will be later in the year or next year?
Looking forward to learning with you and celebrating as you bust out of your writers shell into the writing juggernaut you were meant to be.
Go Rough Riders!!!
Ron
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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1. Hello from Tracy Cheney in Los Angeles, where I currently live. But since we’re mentioning Canada, I grew up in the last house on one of the border crossings in Washington State. Before freeways, we were much more oriented to Vancouver, BC than Seattle.
2. I’ve written five scripts, a gardening book, travel articles for an airline magazine, published articles on other topics, produced a public radio show on education.
3. I intend to turn my historical feature into a TV pilot. The topic’s been of high interest to me for 30 years, which I’ve researched pretty thoroughly by now and feel secure about that side of it.
4. After the exhausting teaching experience of the past 18 months, I’ve quit to take a break to write. I was the Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for CA in 2013, so do enjoy my subject matter very much. Just don’t want to teach right now.
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Wow Tracey,
It looks like you did the right thing and left your job to follow the passion you have been doing already with your 5 books. You have a wide variety of accomplishments and hope that means you have a variety of things to contribute.
And hope your historical script gets into the right hands in the future.
Break a leg,
Ron
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I don’t know where to post the assignment, so I guess I’ll do it here…
TV show: RIVERDALE
What I learned from this assignment was the importance of big hooks and open loops (and empathy for the characters, of course). In virtually every scene, one of the 5 star points was illustrated. A few scenes contained multiple points. The pilot creates obsession because there are so many mysteries/open loops to solve and you’re engaged with the characters.
I. EXT. RIVERDALE
Aerial view, then shots of town, VO about the town has secrets.
II. EXT. CAR, DRIVING
50’s sign, car, and music, VO ‘what the Blossom twins did this summer’
III. EXT. LAKE
Boat ride, Cheryl on rock, Jason dead. Dragged river. See riverbed, Betty’s mom glad. ‘Burn in hell.’ BIG HOOK: Jason died. Who did it?/EMPATHY/DISTRESS for Cheryl, town.
IV. DINER
Jughead typing story, doing VO
V. SHOTS CHERYL and JASON
VO about how he drowned
VI. CAR DROPS OFF VERONICA
New Mystery appears. AMAZING/INTRIGUING CHARACTER: Veronica described as ‘new mystery’
VII. APARTMENT
Smithers, knows town, V’s mom. Used to have $
VIII. EXT./INT BETTY’S HOUSE
Betty and gay friend, gonna see Archie. Betty likes him. EMPATHY: Betty’s too shy to ask him out.
IX. EXT/INT DINER
Betty and Archie, talk about summer. ‘One summer can change anything.’ Archie writes songs. Only tells her. Veronica shows up- Archie’s intrigued. Betty’s mentor. AMAZING/INTRIGUING CHARACTER: Archie writes songs, friendship between him and Betty. Is it more? Does he prefer Veronica?/EMPATHY for Betty- doesn’t get chance to ask A out
X. EXT/INT ARCHIE’S HOUSE
Talks dad about working at company. EMPATHY for A, stuck working with dad.
XI. EXT/INT BETTY’S HOUSE
Mom’s demanding, mentions Polly (sister). Refilled Adderall. EMPATHY for Betty, having deal with demanding mom.
XII. EXT/INT. HIGH SCHOOL
Locker, Archie’s ripped, talks with friends about football
XIII. INT. HIGH SCHOOL
Betty gives Veronica tour. Gay friend mentions V’s dad. DISTRESS for V- what happened with dad? OPEN LOOP: What happened?
XIV. INT HIGH SCHOOL
Archie walks music room, talks to Josie & Pussycats. EMPATHY for A, not allowed to show music.
XV. INT. HIGH SCHOOL
Hallway. V asks B if A’s her boyfriend. V asks who’s Jason, what happened?
XVI. INT. AUDITORIUM
Cheryl gives eulogy in front of students. Formal’s staying. Looks between A and Ms. Gundy
XVII. FLASHBACK
Gundy giving A a ride, then fucking/intercut with previous scene. AMAZING/INTRIGUING CHARACTER: Archie has sex with teacher- not the all-American kid we thought.
XVIII. INT. HIGH SCHOOL
A asks Gundy to teach him music. Stand offish. EMPATHY/DISTRESS for Archie- awkward situation after sex.
XIX. EXT/INT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
V’s mom asks for job, used to date A’s dad. EMPATHY for V and her mom. The dad did terrible crime.
XX. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL
V sits with B & A. A plays music for B. Cheryl sits down. Invites V to cheerleading. Cheryl talks down to B. V helps B, show moves. EMPATHY for Betty, not making squad last year, called fat.
XXI. INT. MUSIC ROOM
A shares music with Gundy; she refuses. Talk about shooting- they heard it. She couldn’t explain why together. OPEN LOOP: Will they ever say something?
XXII. INT. GYM
Cheerleading tryouts. They kiss. V defends B, turns table on Cheryl. C asks about Polly, had breakdown after dating Jason. B hides it, is nice. V says they’re a package deal. AMAZING/INTRIGUING CHARACTER: Veronica helps Betty. DISTRESS for Betty not making squad at first.
XXIII. EXT. FOOTBALL PRACTICE
A made varsity, not sure time commitment, got Jason’s number, lies about dad’s company. OPEN LOOP: Will A commit?
XXIV. INT. LOCKERROOM
B & V are cheerleaders.
XXV. EXT. STREET
V tells B what happened to her. Wants a fresh start. B talks about Polly & Jason. Blames her mom. ‘Broke her.’… V forces B to ask A to dance. Asks for both of them, A accepts. EMPATHY for Veronica, talking about past. DISTRESS for Betty asking A out.
XXVI. INT. BETTY’S BEDROOM
B stands up to her mom. ‘Won’t allow it.’ DISTRESS for Betty, standing up to mom. OPEN LOOP: How will this progress?
XXVII. EXT./INT. V’S MOM APARTMENT
Missing bag full of money. OPEN LOOP: Where did it come from?
XXVIII. EXT. PORCH, A’S HOUSE
A and his dad argue. A lied to both. Doesn’t want be like dad. Dad gives advice. DISTRESS for A, lying. OPEN LOOP: Which path with A take?
XXIX. INT. DANCE HALL
B, V, A. Music or football? Deadline weekend. A and Gundy. Talk about secret. DISTRESS for A and Gundy. Set up music lessons…. Cheryl announces Jose & Pussycats… A & B dance… B about to ask A out, he looks at Gundy. Cheryl wants invite them aftermath, ‘in the mood for chaos.’
XXX. EXT/INT. CHERYL’S HOUSE
Spin the bottle, between B & V. A & V go closet, ask questions, kiss. Come out and B’s gone. Cell phone off. EMPATHY for Betty- where is she?
XXXI. EXT/INT V’S HOUSE
V and his mom.
XXXII. EXT/INT. DINER (POP’S)
A comes in, Jughead VO. ‘Looking for girl next door.’ They talk about Jason. Archie did something to him in past. OPEN LOOP: What happened in the past?
XXXIII. EXT. BETTY’S HOUSE
A meets B, talk. ‘If you love me.’ A says not good enough for you. VO ‘two hearts broke that night.’ EMPATHY/DISTRESS for A & B./OPEN LOOP: What happens now?
XXXIV. EXT. LAKE
Kevin & Moose see dead Jason in water. Shot. VO, ends with someone was arrested (first). Town shadows & secrets. BIG HOOK: Who did it?/OPEN LOOP: Who will be arrested?
INVITING OBSESSION: Combination of big hooks and open hooks. 1) who killed Jason? 2) who will be arrested 3) Will Archie choose football or music 4) Will he choose Betty or Veronica 5) What will happen now with Betty and her mom? 6) Will we ever see Polly? 7) What did Veronica’s dad do? 8) Will Cheryl change after what Veronica said 9) What happened between Archie and Jughead 10) Will Moose and Kevin develop a romance 11) Will Archie and his dad talk like they used to? 12) Will Archie and Gundy continue romance 13) Will they say anything about shotgun blast
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1. Name? Janeen Johnson
2. How many scripts you’ve written? 3 (and 14 novels)
3. What you hope to get out of the class? A better shot at getting screenplays made and novels sold
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? This is my second career and I’ve been working on developing the skills and discipline to write professionally for many years in preparation for…now.
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Welcome to the group Janeen,
sounds like you have the discipline already to succeed.
looking forward to hearing about your novels and what you like to write!!
Ron
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Ron,
All of my writing (except for a couple of the novels) have a lot of humor in them and my screenwriting always includes it. I’m trying to get a middle grade novel published that I wrote 20 years ago, but have updated several times over the years.
It’s the journals of 4 kids who were abducted by aliens and each tells his/her own story since they each have their own missions with the aliens. I love the story because it has a lot of intertwined separate threads (much like a Binge Worthy TV show :->). The kids had never met until they were abducted, each works with a different alien culture, they have very different life experiences and backgrounds, and yet, their timelines cover the same 2 days and a few of the same events. The plot outline covered 2 large closet doors with post-its to keep track of the characters, timeline and the various story threads — very complex keeping track of who knew what and still having an independent complete story for each kid — each kid’s journal. That complexity is what made it fun and, I think, why I keep coming back to it.
My screenplays to date have been a family comedy, a romantic comedy and a “RomCom on a mission”. I wrote a half hour comedy pilot years ago that just isn’t right for this class so I’m starting from scratch. Starting from scratch is always fun for me!
Janeen
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sounds like you are going to be on a roll once you get going!
Welcome to this group,
Ron
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Hi everyone,
My name is Natasha (Tash) Le Petit and I’m from Sydney. We are still in lockdown..boo 🙁 and it’s been dragging on for two months now. But I am determined to make the most of my time with my writing. I worked in the Australian film industry for several years, did BA in writing and I have written a handful of scripts – (one is a feature and optioned and about to go into pre-production). I LOVE nothing more than a binge worthy TV series. I have recently developed an idea that I would like to turn into a tv show and hoping to do that with this course. It’s so good to chat with other writers on the same journey (even if its only online). I am very excited about this course and can’t wait to see what everyone is up to.
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Hiya Tash. Lovely to hear there’s another Aussie here. I’m in Melbourne, also in lockdown.
I’m keen to hear about the work you’ve done in the film industry and the feature you have in pre-prod. Congratulations! Must be exciting to see those words on the page coming to fruition.
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Hey Rob, lock down sucks and you guys have certainly had it worse than us. I worked for the Sydney Film Festival and Screen Australia. My feature script, was optioned back in 2019 and it’s been a roller coast ride and I have learnt so much since then – how the industry works, and certainly my writing has improved so much from all the re-writes needed to be done on the script. TV is another story altogether and I’m just glad I’ve signed up for this course. Good luck to everyone!
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Hi Everyone. I’m entering the class a little late. Delighted to “meet” you all.
My name’s Rob Sutherland. I’ve written about 6 or 7 features and a few shorts. One of the features I produced independently ages ago (2001). Since then I’ve been producing and directing corporate and educational videos and documentaries for clients, but fiction writing has always been my passion and I’m diving back into it now.
I’ve joined this class because I’m just soaking up as much as I can about storytelling from every source I can find. I did the ScreenwritingU Pro Series a few years ago and found it really valuable – very demanding, but rewarding.
looking forward to learning with you all.
Cheers.
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Elizabeth Appell
I’ve written roughly 10 screenplays several of which have won or placed in competitions, several award winning plays, and made two short award winning films.
What’s unusual about me? I never give up.
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I forgot to put in what I hope to get. Here goes: I’m a big fan of series. My favorite: Breaking Bad, a unique and exquisitely written show. I will experience great joy just trying to reach even half the cleverness Vince Gilligan achieved.
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hey other students,
Have I misread something? Are we supposed to post our concept for our series somewhere? And if so, do anyone know where? I’m having problems with posting things.
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The Lesson 1 forum posting is up so you can post it there.
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Hi Everyone. My name is Jean Gilbert
I’ve written 6 scripts. Three feature films and three pilot
I hope to jump onto the binge-worthy craze which means I need to improve my skill to meet to write what producers are demanding.
I have Face Blindness. I don’t even recognize myself. Yeah, it’s a real thing. 🙂 So you have to remind me how I know you. That would be very helpful.
Cheers,
Jean
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Welcome Jean and hope you really enjoy yourself here in our group and on the page with your writing.
Ron
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Hi Ron.
Thank you for the welcome. I’m excited about taking this class. I’m full of ideas and can’t wait to get them fleshed out.
I look forward to seeing you on the forums.
Cheers,
Jean
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Jack Sherry
I’ve written 7+ scripts and have produced four shows that aired on Discovery (Wild Destinations Belize, Wild Destinations Costa Rica, Treasures of the Maravilla, and Burnelli: The Greatest Story in Aviation History). I also am Associate Producer of The Life and Times of Bobby Jones, which was independently produced and aired on CBS.
I looking to improve my scripts and pilots to the point they get produced, and am interested in writing a pilot for a new season of Ted Lasso.
I’m a retired lawyer.
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Hello Jack Sherry,
Regarding your Ted Lasso story idea. What about a barrister or lawyer being sent to upend a law firm by a partner with the same type of personality as Ted Lasso but dealt with wills and estates being put in a firm that deals with defending many clients accused of corrupt things as an idea closer to home for you in your pilot? It would be original and within your wheelhouse more.
But any choice is up to you!
Welcome to the group!!
Happy writing,
Ron
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Hans Marshalleck
I am a first time screenwriter out of NY. I have 1 screenplay and 10 ongoing treatments. This is my second Screenwriter U class. I also have attended Jacob Krueger Write Your Screenplay and School for the Visual Arts TV Show writing class. I am a startup founder and show runner for a 3-D Animated Motion Capture Series – “The Ratta and Coco Show” – therattaandcocoshow.com.
I hope to turn my screenplay “Score14Jesus” into a binge worthy series. I was chosen to pitch the idea at Real Vibez Film Festival.
Fun fact: Tried to be standup comedian (failed) and had a reggae band in college (lead vocals and base). So I guess I’m down to writing. lol.
Humbled to be with such a great group.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by Hans Marshalleck Marshalleck.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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1. Name: Arjen Westra
2. I have written two feature scripts, five shorts. I have a few features under construction.
3. What I hope to get out of the class? I hope to kind of structured way to channel my passion, I want to deepen my craft.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? Originally, I am a Dutch journalist. In 2002, I exchanged the comfort of a job at a magazine in the Lowlands for a journey as a freelancer in Africa.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by Arjen Westra.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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/// Sorry – I’m super late to the party, but trying to catch up as soon as I can. /////
Tell us the following:
1. Eufemia Scarfone (most people call me “E”)
2. About 10 shorts, 5 features, and 15 different drafts of a pilot for this TV Series I’ve been trying to work out since 1999.
3. A Pilot that works and is solid!
4. Pretty much everything? 🙂
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Welcome “E”. Great to have you on board.
Glad to find someone else who is persevering with a long-standing project. The one I’m working on for this course I first started as a novel in 2001 and dabbled with from time to time since. Like you I’m hopeful of finally pulling it into shape.
Cheers, and good luck with it.
Rob
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