Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Frances Williams]

My name is Frances Williams

I’m from Atlanta, Georgia

I’ve written 3 screen plays,

What I hope to gain from this class, is to sharpen my knowledge and skills.

Something unique about, I like to go mountain climbing.

[Beth Zurkowski]

Hi my name is Beth Zurkowski

I’ve written 4 scripts.

I hope to get some help on an action script I’m working on.

I enjoy LARP.

[Bob Rowen]

Hello all,

I’m Bob Rowen, an 82-year-old disabled veteran, who is recovering from some health setbacks. These setbacks explain, at least in part, why I only have several “drafts” and no finished scripts. I’m now climbing back onto the saddle, looking forward to being part of this class, and getting to know and learn from all of you. My goal for this class is to learn how to write exciting and engaging action scenes while avoiding verbosity. Finally, I’m a nuclear whistleblower, a story too long to tell here, and a retired educator and school administrator.

[Christopher Confer]

Bob, thanks for standing on a wall for the rest of us! I was probably only in kindergarten at the time but much appreciated, if words can even convey my gratitude. On another point, like Karen Silkwood type of whistleblowing?

[Donna Stockwell]

Hi everyone, my name is Donna Stockwell.

I’ve written a few scripts and have ideas for another 12, so I’m taking a few of Hal’s courses in tandem to fill in all the details that I think I’m missing from my other drafts.

I love action films and want to be true to this genre.

I am a fixed-wing pilot, and have flown all over Canada and the USA… there’s nothing like the rush of holding the controls and taking off!

[THOMAS OBRIEN]

TJO Tom O’Brien 3scripts My hope is to Map out my story . Worked on the Space Shuttles

[Barry Clark]

1. Name: Barry Clark

2. How many scripts you’ve written: 1 TV script, 2 Feature scripts, working on my 3rd (this class)

3. What you hope to get out of the class: A better perspective on Action scripts versus other genre. And to get closer to finishing my current project.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you: I am a left leg amputee (BKA).

[Stephen Hoover]

I’m Stephen Hoover.

I’m a produced writer and WGA member. I have one feature credit and three screenplays under option as well as one pilot.

I’ve written about 40 screenplays and pilots. Completed my MFA through UGA two years ago.

Waiting to hear back from a bunch of reads (producers and a director) this week. Looking to improve my action writing.

Glad to meet everyone.

[Kathi Wahed]

Hi I’m Kathi Wahed…I’ve taken many classes of Hals, including his Master’s class and Pro Series. I’ve written 10 screenplays and many have been finalists in writing competitions. I continue to educate myself on how to improve my skills and hope to one day (before I die) sell one of them!

I’m a “military brat,” moved every 3 years while growing up and lived all over the world. Loved the expose to different cultures and still love to travel and incorporate my life experiences into my stories.

[Lola Maltz]

Hello everyone, I’m Lola Maltz, NYC based.

I’ve written/produced/ acted in 1 short film. Also, I’ve written a couple other short films/ sketches/ pilots.

I’m looking to improv my skills in film writing, learn techniques, and strengthen my knowledge.

I have a short film that I’ve thought of expanding into a full-length feature and possibly adding more action to it. Hence this class.

Something interesting about me is that I used to perform a one-woman musical called “My Mom is a Sex Therapist” about my upbringing as the daughter of a sex therapist/struggles with addiction. I’ve thought about making this into a tv pilot. Overall as an artist, it’s my passion to give a voice to shame.

🙌

[Chris Hollo]

My name is Chris Hollo and I’ve written and shot lots of short scripts and have a feature that I’ve been working on for a couple of years. I’m happy with the first and second acts but am still trying to get the action in the third act where it needs to be.

I’ve been a filmmaker and commercial photographer for over 30 years and have never really had a day job. I’m in post production on a feature I shot right now.

[Carmine DePaulo]

Carmine DePaulo

I’ve written One Feature Length script and 10 Short Length scripts.

I want to gain knowledge and improve my writing skills.

I starting acting in community theatre at the age of 50.

[Martha Caprarotta]

Hello, fellow screenwriters. I’m Martha Caprarotta. I’ve written and revised seven complete features and several others are in progress. Recently one of my scripts was a finalist in a Family & Holiday Screenplay Competition. Also wrote an original one-hour TV drama pilot and spec scripts for two existing hour dramas and two existing half-hour comedies.

I’m taking this class to improve my two action adventure features, and to improve action scenes in my other screenplays of other genres. I worked in local television for 20 years (from reporter-videographer to writer-producer of news and special programs) and won a Local TV Emmy from NATAS for a news story I shot and wrote about a dog being rescued from an icy pond. (In this case it was “Save the Dog” instead of “Save the Cat” that carried the story.)

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Martha Caprarotta.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by  Martha Caprarotta.

[Christopher Confer]

Hi everyone,

I’m Chris Confer from Birmingham, Michigan

I’ve written one script and have a full outline of the second one that I am writing.

Last summer this idea popped in my head about an albino python that can morph through wall and blends into the snow terrorizing people at a ski resort.

I am a computer programmer working in integration software such as Dell Boomi and IBM Sterling Integrator.

I had a course once with Jim Cash (Top Gun) on popular culture that he taught in his home. Michigan State University gave him a lot of leeway to do that as he was a local celebrity for having co-written Top Gun and several other scripts with Jack Epps Jr. His office was so large that it fit all 22 of his students pretty comfortably. It was really more of a giant family room with a Wurlitzer jukebox on one side and his desk on the other with couches in between. You should have seen his desk, it was about 15 feet long and he casually held court from behind it for the semester. It was a worthwhile course. The funny thing is that movies did not come up too often in the conversation. He did mention that was not real happy with how the Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) character was cast. He wanted her to be stronger and more independent. He said the choice of nylons with the seamline on the back undermined his intent for the characater. He also told us he had this little trick of not having to lend out movies to people because they often would not be returned. These were the days of VHS tape in the early 1990s. He would say, yeah, I don’t have it on VHS, I prefer Betamax because the picture quality is better. It was kind of funny. He was a producer at a local PBS station in East Lansing / Lansing before he got his break. He loved sports and everything popular culture. The course mainly focused on the 1950s and 1960s and we used a book called Populuxe.

We will have some good experiences in this course and I look forward to sharing in everyone’s insights.

[Robert McCord]

Hello to you all,

I’m Bob McCord of Tucson, AZ.

I’ve written two scripts and have four more I’d like to do soon and better.

I’m in this course because I want to expand my thinking and skills on what works, what sells, and what’s ahead.

I’ve conducted corporate training programs around the world, from down under Australia to down under the stands of a Trinidad cricket stadium (the pitch was empty or I’d have had no students!)

[Gary Holland]

My name is Gary Holland

Written two scripts… the first was garbage, been working off and on with the other for about four years… life just keeps getting in the way.

This script is full of action and I want every advantage I can get to nail the action sequences.

Oh yeah, I’m crazy… creativity oozes out of me… I have the drive and passion for writing and I’ll bet you can’t guess how old I am.

[Dave Kraft]

Hi, Cheryl, Hal & everyone else excited to be here.

My name’s Dave Kraft.

I’ve written two Action Thriller feature screenplays:

FULL CONTACT and IMPOSTERS of THE THIRD REICH.

Through studying industry teachings, especially these at Screenwriting U, I hope to constantly elevate my skill-sets to be the best working Screenwriter/Producer I possibly can.

I work (between power naps) everyday (no kidding) around the clock. . . screenwriting, reading screenplays/books, watching movies & helping others live this dream we all must breathe.

Wishing everyone success,

Work hard. Finish strong. ; ) Believe!

DK

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

Hi everyone, my name is Jeannine Hegelbach, currently living in Switzerland.

I have written about 3 features and several shorts, but also a lot of unfinished stories laying around. I hope to improve my writing skills and get motivation to bring a project through the finish line. 😀

[Ira Drower]

Hello, my name is Ira Drower.

I have written half a dozen scripts or so.

Hoping to gain how to properly structure the Action scenes.

[Garry Johnson]

Greetings all. Pleasure to be here. Been looking to expand my screenwriting knowledge for some time and think this will help me immensely.

1. Name? Garry (nickname is Scoot)

2. How many scripts you’ve written? A short during film school; no features … yet. Have three ideas presently am looking to develop — a dark drama and two action (one of which is what I will be working to develop here).

3. What you hope to get out of the class? Hoping to be able to flesh out the idea for my action movie so I can develop it into a full-length feature and secure Kat McNamara as my lead.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I am obsessed with reading true crime and drink Mello Yello like Hemingway drank whiskey. 🙂

[Leslie DuFresne]

Hello,

My name is Leslie DuFresne

I’ve written 2 feature scripts. Working on 3 projects/tv series.

I’m taking this class because I really need to learn how to write action pieces. I told Hal that I was so distracted with the amazing discount that I failed to realize this class was for writing a screenplay. I thought it was for a tv series. (I also took Hal’s Binge Worthy TV series, so tv writing is a bit on my brain) Hal says to apply it to my series, so that’s what I’ll be doing.

Something unique about me is my married name: DuFresne. Ring a bell? Sounds like DuFrane. Andy DuFresne? But it’s spelled DuFresne. Which is the correct way to spell it (it’s French) and also the way they spell it in Shawshank Redemption. My husband and I HAD TO name our 1st born son, Andy. Poor thing hated it for awhile, but now he embraces it. AND the movie.