Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Paul Schutte]

Hi, My name is Paul Schutte.

I have written 21 scripts ranging from stage plays, TV, Edutainment videos, PSAs, and short and feature length screenplays. I have had three plays, 3 Edutainment videos, and one PSA produced with pay.

While I believe I have a talent and I enjoy writing, I have to realize that great screenplays are not just going to pop forth from my fingertips onto a page. If I am going to achieve my goal of getting my work, produced, seen, and enjoyed by a wide audience, I HAVE to learn SO MUCH MORE about the craft. I also need lots of help on the parts that I don’t enjoy – the business and promotional side of things.

My uniqueness comes (like most of you) from the whole of my experience – I worked at NASA for 35 years and spent several years working on the Space Shuttle, I have masters degrees in both computer science and psychology, I’m 64 years old and still working, and I was an actor for about 10 years both on stage and some TV and extras.

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Great work Paul!

Nice meeting you…

[JOANNE Bellew]

Wow… that’s a very cool intro Paul. NASA and the Space Shuttle!! I bet there’s a good screenplay to be written just from that emotional and visual ride. Amazing.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Paul – It is a pleasure meeting you. I am sure working for NASA was very interesting on so many levels – I am sure the stories you have to tell are “out-of-this-world” – sorry, couldn’t help myself. 🙂 I am looking forward to getting to know you better and hearing your stories.

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Paul! NASA! Are you still in the Houston-ish area?

[Paul Schutte]

Hi Cassie, no, while I spent a fair amount of time at JSC, I was never stationed there. I worked at the ‘Mother Center,’ NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton Virginia and I lived in Williamsburg. Not many people know about Langley, but it was the original center from which the other centers were created. The original Mercury 7 astronauts lived in Hampton and Newport News, VA.

[Cassie Randall]

Oh, awesome. My dad was a Marine so we spent some time in Quantico 😀 There’s some cool stuff out there in Virginia!

[Melissa Barreca]

Nice to meet you, Paul. You have a fascinating background and I am sure all of that experience will be amazing for your writing projects.

[JOANNE Bellew]

Wow… that’s a very cool intro Paul. NASA and the Space Shuttle!! I bet there’s a good screenplay to be written just from that emotional and visual ride. Amazing.

[Karyn Laitis]

Its a pleasure meeting you Paul. I’m with you, much to learn and experience. You have so much wonderful experience. I look forward to reading your stories.

[Sangeetha Rao]

Hello all, my name is Sangeeta.

I’ve always loved descriptive writing and have written a few short stories but no scripts.

I signed up for this class as I need the tools to write my first Screenplay in order to write a great story to inspire, motivate and encourage people in their daily lives.

In addition, I also would like to familiarize myself with the business and financial aspects of the industry.

I work in clinical research and healthcare and have a masters degree in public health.

I’m looking forward to this class and have a great experience writing!!

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Welcome Sangeeto… really looking forward to be working with you.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Sangeeta – I look forward to meeting you and seeing your first screenplay come to fruition!!! I wish you the very best. I know you will be up to the challenge. I would say, “Good Luck” but luck has little to do with it – what you put it is what you will get out!

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Sangeeta!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Nice to meet you Sangeeta. Sounds like you’re going to have a lot of fun entering this world. Very freeing if you love writing.

[H. Vince]

Hello, my name is H. Vince.

I have written or began to write around 30 scripts over at least 30 years. I have also written short stories, poetry and articles years ago under pseudonyms.

I am taking this class to give me professional training and focus.

Not only have I gained experience/ideas from personal experience and education, but I have applied for and taken side jobs to experience life as another person to secretly research and develop insight. I don’t even include all of the side work on my resume unless it helps me gain the job.

I am excited to be a part of this class and looking forward to the end to see how it has helped with my writing.

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Hey H Vince!

Great to meet you – Welcome! Excited to be working with you here…

[H. Vince]

Nice to meet you as well, Ferdinand!

[Paul Schutte]

Cool, secret identities! Sounds like you have your first seed idea in your own experiences!

[H. Vince]

Hi Paul! Your work at NASA reminds me of when I was a kid and wanted to be an astronaut. Space camp was huge back then.

[Brian Bull]

Hello H. Vince – How would you like to be addressed??? Do you go by “H” and “Vince” is your last name? Or would you prefer to be called “H. Vince”? Just for clarity – I want to be sure I’m addressing you correctly.

It’s a pleasure meeting regardless and looking forward to our time together throughout this class.

[H. Vince]

Hi Brian!

You can just address me as H. to make it fast and easy 😀

It’s a pleasure as well. I’m already hyped on this class after listening to the intros and happy to be taking this class with you and everyone here.

[Cassie Randall]

Hello, H. Vince! Is it cool if I give you a different H-name I post/reply to you? 😀

[H. Vince]

Hi Cassie!

What’s the old saying? “Call me anything you want, just call me in time for supper.” Haha something like that.

– H. ☺

[Cassie Randall]

Hahaha, love it 😀

Today’s name is Howard XD Happy Wednesday! 😀

[H. Vince]

Happy Wednesday, Cassie! The movie “Howard The Duck” immediately came to mind when I read that.

[JOANNE Bellew]

Nice to meet you H. Vince. So great to see that you’re heading down the professional route. Awesome.

[H. Vince]

Hi Joanne.

Nice to meet you as well. Thank you for the encouragement. I hope this class elevates us all as writers.

[Karyn Laitis]

30 scripts in 30 years is very productive. I’ve had one script idea I’ve been working on since for at least 30 years 😂 I wrote other things. Happy to meet you.

[H. Vince]

Hi Karyn,

Nice to meet you also. “Began to write” is the key phrase. Some have been ideas that didn’t get past a few lines. 😂

Your one script idea could be that blockbuster!

[Richard Bailey]

1. Richard Bailey

2. I’ve written about 20 scripts, discarded half of them as being irreparable, and shelved the remaining half as being futile.

3. To learn the tricks of the trade.

4. Something strange indeed: I’m 81 years old and can barely read the screen!

• This reply was modified 2 years ago by  Richard Bailey.
• This reply was modified 2 years ago by  Richard Bailey.

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Hi Richard

Great to meet you, sir.

Looking forward to working alongside you in this class…

[Paul Schutte]

81 years! That’s awesome! And here I thought I was going to be the oldest in the class at 64. Let’s show these young folk that we still have it!

[Karyn Laitis]

And I thought I was the oldest–74😂

[Brian Bull]

Hello Richard – If you can see this – I WISH I COULD CHANGE THE FONT FOR YOU AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO READ!!! I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW YOU!!!!

[Cassie Randall]

What’s up, Richard!

[JOANNE Bellew]

I like you already Richard Bailey. You’ve got spunk. I wonder if one of those irreparable stories will find a life again? Fingers crossed!

[Karyn Laitis]

Happy to meet you Richard. We’re in for an interesting experience! I’m starting from ground zero. Time for us all to flourish! Good luck to us!

[Alyssa Giannola]

Hi everyone, my name is Alyssa Giannola and I have written two scripts; I recently entered the first one in a small contest!

I hope to develop my conceptual brain in order to create better outlines and start with stronger structure so I’m not doing as much “fixing” in my second and third drafts. I also want to develop marketable scripts- I love the science fiction/fantasy genres so I want to make sure the stories I’m writing are high concept and well written.

I have always loved movies and received my MFA in directing back in 2015. Great to meet you all!

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Hey Alyssa!

Great to meet you here… excited to betaking this class with you.

[Paul Schutte]

Hi Alyssa! Was your MFA directing for film or for stage? Where did you go?

[Alyssa Giannola]

Hi Paul! It was for film, I went to Regent University in VA beach. It was a good school! Love hearing that you worked at NASA for 35 years, I bet that was a really cool experience.

[Paul Schutte]

Hey, small world. I worked at NASA Langley in Hampton and lived in Williamsburg for over 30 years. I’m living outside of Richmond, now. Are you still in VA? If so, consider https://www.virginiascreenwritersforum.com/ It’s an awesome group!

[Alyssa Giannola]

Small world indeed! I love Williamsburg. I’m no longer in VA but my family still is- now I’m in middle TN. I’ll have to see if TN has a similar forum, that sounds like an amazing resource!

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Nice to meet you, Alyssa! I also love the science fiction/fantasy genres.

[Alyssa Giannola]

Awesome, I love how the sky’s truly the limit with those genres! I saw you mentioned that you’re in Geneva- I lived in Lausanne for a few months several years ago, such a beautiful area. Looking forward to getting to know you better!

[Ashley Sarikaya]

I totally agree! I love how you’re not limited by space and time with those genres. Oh no way! I work in Geneva, but I live in Lausanne actually. Looking forward to getting to know you better too!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Alyssa – I also love Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I am always amazed at the imagination that some individuals display. I guess that is part of the reason we all love going to the movies – to experience another world whether it be this one and some other “otherworldly” world – if that makes sense.

[Cassie Randall]

Hello, Alyssa!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Hey Alyssa!

Great to meet you and be on this journey together. Sounds like a smart plan you’ve got.

I hope the contest goes well!!

[Karyn Laitis]

Good to meet you! Good luck on that contest!

[Brian Bull]

Hello everyone – My name is Brian Bull.

I have 7 scripts that I would consider completed and I have 5 other scripts in different stages of development.

I know this class will empower me to improve the scripts I have completed and get them into the right hands and made into movies!!! I am also confident that this class will better my understanding of story ideas / concept and marketability so the scripts I have in development will get written and made into movies/TV shows.

Johnny Depp asked if he could have his assistant take pictures of my eyes so he could have contacts made for his upcoming character role – the character was Whitey Bulger and the movie was Black Mass.

[Paul Schutte]

Forget “She’s got Bette Davis Eyes…”

[Brian Bull]

LOL – Yes – maybe a bit more like Paul Newman’s.

[Cassie Randall]

Hey again, Brian! 😀

[JOANNE Bellew]

Hi Again Brian!

What a cool story about your eyes!

Looking forward to seeing the outcome of those scripts in due course.

I think we’ll all have fun sharing ideas and feedback. Awesome group.

[Karyn Laitis]

So now we have to have a close-up of your eyes! Good to meet you Brian.

[Ruthie Harris]

Hello teammates,

I’m Ruthie Harris. I’ve written three screenplays and a pilot. One script is optioned and currently in development, so I can attest to Hal’s classes working if we can keep up!

My hope for this course is for it to kick my arse into writing my next script. Yes, I said ‘arse’ – I’m originally from London, now living in Colorado.

I love surreal art and have a tattoo of Salvador Dali’s signature on my back…

Cheers,

Ruthie

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ruthie – Nice to meet you!!! Congratulations on your script being optioned!!! That’s GREAT!!! You are an inspiration – I hope we can all follow in your footsteps and get our scripts optioned.

[Ruthie Harris]

Brian – you’re too kind! Would not have happened without Hal’s courses kicking my proverbial arse! This is why I’m back for more – can’t wait to dive in with you guys…

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Ruthie! You’re a living inspiration/success story. Yay! Also I bet that tattoo looks awesome 😀

[Ruthie Harris]

Hello Cassie – would not have happened without Hal! However, it’s one thing to be optioned, I’m still waiting for this puppy to be produced!!! Everyone here seems like a rockstar, it’s going to be exciting to see where we land… 🌟

[Francine Miranda]

Hey Ruthie! Omg so excited to be in class again! Yay! You’re my inspiration to keep going!

Btw I love Dali too!!! If I ever take a trip to see you, I definitely wanna see the tattoo! My fav is Escher, although not sure if that’s surreal or abstract, haha, yeah I’m no expert 😆 I just know they’re all amazing!

[Ruthie Harris]

HA! Not If I don’t visit you first in Toronto my Canadian, commonwealth cousin!!! 🤣

[JOANNE Bellew]

Love it Ruthie,

AND I’m from Australia, so you have a sister in here with regard to the spelling. LOL — I’m finding myself using US spelling at home here. Excited to hear that you’ve had success with the script option. Best of luck with that. Keep us posted. Cool about the tattoo!

[Ruthie Harris]

OMFG Joanne – I used to live in Australia until they kicked me out of the country!!! Sydney is the best – I get misty-eyed just thinking about Oz…

[Brian Atkins]

HI, THIS IS TO EITHER JOANNE OR RUTHIE I AM AT THE STAGE OF TRADING OUTLINES AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOMEONE FOR THAT FEEDBACK EXCHANGE… PLEASE LET ME KNOW I’M BRIAN ATKINS BTW

[Karyn Laitis]

Hi Ruthie–you go girl! So happy for you and a nice testament to Hal’s class. I look forward to finishing my first script.

[Ruthie Harris]

You will finish and no doubt it will be fabulous!

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Ruthie,

Great to hear your success story and that you feel Hal’s classes contributed to that success. You’re not joking about keeping up! 100 lessons over the next six months sounds daunting, but inspiring too. Just finished lesson 4 today and am creatively breathing hard! Hah!

By the way, what class did you take previously with Hal? Also, did you ever get any feedback from Hal on any of the lessons you turned in? It feels a little weird to be emailing all these exercises to him, but get no response.

I am also looking forward to when a forum is opened up for us to share our ideas, creative processes, and struggles with each other, which I think begins in Mod 2.

Looking forward to supporting each other here and having more creative success stories to share!

Best,

Julia Farsadi 😉

[Ruthie Harris]

Hi Julia,

Great to meet you!

I did the Pro Series and MSC courses previously. Neither of which I believe are offered now – I think WIM is intended to surpass and replace both of those.

I’ve never received feedback from Hal. My understanding is these courses are self-governing. You get out of them, what you put in and your fellow writers are there to support and feedback when appropriate.

I’m okay with that, as I signed on for the accountability and step-by-step assignments, to encourage me to write my next draft. My feedback comes from my writers group or outside paid coverage services.

However I do find the forums helpful when we start sharing – it’s amazing how insightful your classmates can be!

Inevitably people drop out or do the assignments on their own time but if we can keep up, it’s definitely worth it…

Cheers,

Ruthie

[Mr. Brunken]

My name is Rodney Brunken, and this will be my first completed script. I am taking this class to get the tools and accountability I need to bring my first script to a successful completion. Something interesting about me is: I am working toward a goal of climbing The Matterhorn in Switzerland next summer (2024). This is pushing me to break through my comfort zone both in terms of excellent physical fitness as well as acquiring the technical skills needed. It will take all the time between now and then to reach both of these.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Rodney – Will you be keeping a journal of your preparations for the climb as well as the climb itself??? Sounds to me like that in itself would make a GREAT SCRIPT!!! Looking forward to getting to know you.

[Cassie Randall]

Dang, Rodney, pushing creative and physical boundaries, nice!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Wow, Rodney. Much respect. That’s awesome. We’ll be your cheer squad. Thanks for not tackling it in winter. We won’t have to freeze our buns off.

[Karyn Laitis]

Nice to meet you Mr. Brunken. Lofty goals (no pun) and can be accomplished. Good to meet you and best wishes to realize your goals! I’m also looking to complete my first script.

[Patricia Brown]

[Writing Incredible Movies} Introduce Yourself 5/1/23

Patricia Brown

In anticipation of my retirement New Year’s Eve 2022 after 30 years of being a Family Law sole practitioner, I started taking ScreenwritingU classes five years ago. I am finishing up the Professional Rewriting Course which overlaps with WIM with my first draft of my first script, a rom-com. I am now writing full time, shifting my focus from all the legal briefs and published political essays to the fictional scraps in notebooks and backs of napkins for movies I have accumulated for four decades. Some of them contain mystery short stories I wrote with a strong amateur sleuth named Dr. Aurora Callicoat.

What I want to get out of this class is to pivot to that Coming-of-Age idea I’ve had since 1972 and finish a script of it worthy of entering a contest (and winning!) or selling. My mantra is Hal’s: create every day, never plateau whatever level you’re at, and strive to take your writing from good to great.

What is unique about me? I have been blessed by the Dalai Lama–twice.

[Paul Schutte]

Twice blessed!! How cool!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Patricia – I am sure there’s a few jokes in there about being a lawyer and being twiced blessed by the Dalai Lama but I will leave that for another time. I hope you have a GREAT sense of humor. 😀

[Patricia Brown]

Brian,

I got my sense of humor from taking Hal’s Comedy Writing in 30 days! LOL

Oh, and from watching all 84 episodes of the TV show “Monk” over and over again. The writers there used every single comedy strategy Hal taught us.

But you got it right—the Dalai Lama has the BEST sense of humor ever. I guess that makes him a Monk’s Monk.

Patricia Brown

California, USA

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Patricia! Happy retirement! I bet you got some great characters/material from your previous career 😀 Hoping to see Dr. Callicoat sometime! 😀

[JOANNE Bellew]

Yes… Happy retirement, Patricia!

I know how hard the law is. My husband has just retired from the Supreme Court bench here in Australia and has taken the position of head of the Parole Board. Writing scripts must be such a free feeling for you. I hope your Coming-of-Age idea grows into something fabulous.

[Patricia Brown]

Joanne,

Hey, I never made it to the bench like your husband, but as for retirement, I follow Tennis Star Serena William’s “It’s not retirement, it’s evolution!” And my evolution into screenwriting is FUN! Hoping to enjoy this journey with your writing.

Patricia Brown, California USA

[Karyn Laitis]

Nice meeting you Patricia. Blessed twice by the Dali Lama! I need to sit next to you😂 I’m also working on my first script on an idea that has been marinating since 1972. I think its time to put it on the grill. Best wishes.

[Patricia Brown]

Karyn,

The stories from 1972 have stayed in our hearts for so long, it’s time to release and share, don’t you think? Looking forward to see your work along this journey together!

Patricia Brown

California, USA

[Ferdinand Gernandt]

Hey fellow scribes!

My name is Ferdinand and I’ve written over 30 scripts since my first class with Hal in 2013. I have been working for others for a while now- doing writing assignments for producers… basically helping others tell their stories. What I hope to get out of this class is to return to the drawing board for me as a creative screenwriter… you know, writing something for me, with meaning for me.

I’ve been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years – theatre, film etc. I have produced my own works, raked in a couple of accolades and performed at the Royal Variety Performance in London… I serve as the dean of The South African Film, Acting and Theater Academy. (SAFATA)

Really looking forward to be joining this class with all of you… Let’s make some magic!

[Paul Schutte]

What a background! You have a lot to teach me.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ferdinand – I could not agree with you more – LET’S MAKE SOME MOVIE MAGIC!!! I have heard many times over – WRITE THE MOVIE YOU WANT TO SEE – but I am re-thinking that right now – I think it should be said – WRITE THE MOVIE YOU KNOW WILL GET PICKED UP AND MADE!!! $$$😀 LOL

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Ferdinand!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Congrats on such a successful entertainment career to date, Ferdinand. Amazing. It’s great that you’re putting energy into your own concepts again.

We should chat at some stage down the track. I’m writing a South African story at the moment. My co-creator is a South African who lives in Australia.

[Karyn Laitis]

Nice meeting you Ferdinand! You’ve has some wonderful industry experiences and connections. Best to you to reach your goal.

[Agnes McCourt]

I’m Agnes McCourt and I am happy to be part of this exciting new class.

I have a few scripts on the go, but not completed yet. I am just retiring from my full time job, as a Training and Adult Curriculum Development Specialist at the City of Toronto. I was born and have lived in Toronto, Canada my entire life.

I have traveled to many interesting places around the world, meeting people from all walks of life.

I have taken aditional courses in a many different areas, over the past 40+ years, preparing myself to get seriously into screenwriting.

I hope to learn more about actual screenwriting concepts to help me complete my scripts already in progress, and new ideas for new scripts, as well.

I hope to learn more about writing tighter and more gripping scripts.

I have been writing in various ways for many years, in a wide variety of different occupations.

I have many hobbies including film which started at an early age. I love many genres of music, both listening and playing instruments. I was a downhill skier for 20 years. I studied karate, fencing and ballroom dancing over the years. I love the outdoors and hope to write up in my northern retreat in the summer and fall months.

I’ve had a very interesting life from childhood to the present, and hope to be able to incorporate some aspects of those experiences in my scripts.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Agnes – Looking for to meeting you and reading your stories.

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Agnes! I have a friend from Toronto and boy oh boy was he stoked when the Leafs beat the Lightning! 😀

[JOANNE Bellew]

Sounds like you have a WEALTH of things to write about, Agnes. Really happy to be in the group with you and excited to hear about your stories.

[Karyn Laitis]

Nice meeting you Agnes. Wonderful experiences and successes! Congratulations!

[Eden Young]

Hi Agnes,

I forgot I already liked your intro 🙃 hence the unlike &second like (I’ve done that a few times unintentionally).

Inspiring intro. What instruments do you play?

Warm regards,

Eden

[Julia Farsadi]

Aloha, fellow scribes! I am not from Hawaii, however, I really love the Aloha spirit. 😉 My name is Julia Farsadi. I am a connector and really enjoy meeting new people. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me whenever the mood strikes and I will get back to you.

I have been a writer/actor for the past two decades amidst doing a lot of other things. I am a member of SAG-AFTRA and have my undergrad degree in film and a masters degree in Spiritual Psychology.

I have written three full-length features and several TV specs and original pilots. In 2018, I was a Finalist in the NBC Writers on the Verge fellowship program for writing an Arrow spec and an original pilot about a hard-nosed detective whose wife’s murder is still unsolved ten years after her death. Several of my specs and pilots have placed in the quarterfinals or semis of many contests, but never won. I’m here to change that!

What I hope to get out of the class is SHARPER SKILLS and GREAT RELATIONSHIPS with fellow writers and creatives like yourselves.

Something unique about me: I just completed my second masters
degree (I know, I seem to like school) in Jungian Psychology and Archetypal Studies. This was a deep
dive into our archetypal roots and the mythopoetic imagination where amazing stories are drawn from…

I look forward to connecting, working together, and helping each other reach our highest potential for creativity and success! <3 Jules

[Paul Schutte]

You had me at Spiritual Psychology (and sealed the deal with talking about Jung and archetypes!) I hope we can have many fruitful interactions during the course.

[Eden Young]

And you had me at Aloha 🌺

My family on my mom’s side is from Hawaii. What a wonderful eclectic group. Looking for award to learning from all of you, yourself included.

Mahalo

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Eden! Thanks for your message. Hawaii is indeed a special place. Every time I visit, I feel rejuvenated and re-inspired… how fortunate that you have family from that area. The wonderful thing is I can always take the Aloha spirit of the islands back with me to the mainland. I love that you call yourself a “Buddhist nerd.” Looking forward to learning from everyone here as well! xo

[JOANNE Bellew]

So cool, Eden!!

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Paul, thanks for the reply! You have a lot of super interesting life experience to share as well. Nice to meet you. I look forward to moving through this writers’ journey together! xo

[Brian Bull]

Hello Julia – Looking forward to having you in class. You bring a lot of energy!!!😀

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Brian! Thanks for noticing… good energy is my specialty! 😉

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Julia!

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Cassie! Nice to meet you. Thanks for making a connection! 🙏

[JOANNE Bellew]

Oh my Lord, I love that I have a fellow spiritualist in here (I have a spiritual rom-com and a spiritual comedy)… and I’m also a huge fan of Hawaii. I travel there several times a year. I also do a spot of acting as well. I spend time each year at silent Buddhist retreats.

Congratulations on all the good stuff you’ve achieved. Love it. Finalist of Writers on the Verge is huge. I actually traveled with Jen Grisanti to South Africa last year on the Screenwriters’ Safari.

Excited to have a soul sister in the group, Julia. Bring on the laughs and the zen.

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Joanne! Thanks for the awesome reply. Yes, indeed, I already feel a soul sister connection–acting, Hawaii, spirituality, rom-coms, we got it all going on. Laughter is the medicine that heals an aching soul. Looking forward to supporting each other’s journeys here and going forward! 😊

• This reply was modified 2 years ago by  Julia Farsadi.

[Haley Chambers]

Hello, my name is Haley Chambers!

I have only written 1 script, and am pretty new to screenwriting. For the past few years I have enjoyed developing stories and world building, but have struggled with putting them down on paper.

I hope to learn more about screen writing and be able to express my ideas in a way people can enjoy. I love dreaming up stories and want to do something with them!

My Aunt Margie is an experienced screen writer and she encouraged me to take this class to develop my passions for story making!

I am thrilled to have this opportunity!

[Margaret]

Hi Haley! Feel free to go into your profile and change your pic. LOL Also, after H.S. I started going by “Margaret”. The only ones who call me “Margie” is family (so feel free to call me that). 🙂

[Brian Bull]

Hello Haley – Your Aunt Margie is a wise women!!! Looking forward to having you in class.

[Cassie Randall]

Hi Haley, and say hello to your Aunt Margie! Sounds like a person with good taste 😀

[Karyn Laitis]

Hi Haley! I’m working on my first script as well. I’m looking forward to walking through my doubts.

[Michael O’Keefe]

Haley, welcome and ‘hang onto your hat’ as they say. This course will blow your mind. Word of advice, do NOT fall behind. Every day there is work to be done, things to read and think about. Don’t procrastinate. I took Hal’s Prowriter’s Series and one month into the six month course, I got COVID and it kicked my A__ __! I have never been sick until that time and I was useless for 3 weeks. It took me two months to get caught up and back on track with the class.

[Eden Young]

Hello Michael O’Keefe,

I was trying to “like” your intro & hot list in the sea of fabulous messages. So responding here. Inspired by your tenacity and your intro. Looking forward to every step of this journey we have all embarked on and learning from & with everyone.

Take care

Eden

[Eden Young]

Hi Haley 😊

[Karyn Laitis]

Hi all, my name is Karyn

I have been working on my first script for quite some time and life circumstances had detoured my progress. I am desperately needing to complete my first script so that I can break the barriers and move on. In a former career (PT Asst)-life I’ve spent a lot of time with industry personalities (actors, directors) at studios, but never discussed my goal in the industry. And I might be the elder of the class.

[Paul Schutte]

Hi Karyn! You’re competing with a 64 year old and an 81 year old in the elder category! And it sounds like there are others with 30 and 40 years of experience. I wonder how many of us signed up after the free Screenwriting in your 50’s course!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Karyn – Looking forward to having you in class.

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Karyn!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Hi All,

My name is Joanne (Jo) Bellew. Very nice to meet you all. I have five completed scripts (four feature and one TV).
I am always looking to sharpen my craft and that’s what I’m hoping to get out of this class.

I have worked in the fields of spirituality, law and medicine. Oh, and I have an epileptic cat!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Joanne – “(You) have an epileptic cat!” Can I use that as a PROJECT IDEA??? That’s too funny. not really, but it is kind of funny when you think about it and all the different directions you could go with it. I wish you and your cat (name?) the very best.

[JOANNE Bellew]

Hahaaa… oh yes, I have stories Brian!! Great to meet you! Thanks for the morning laughs. I’m in Australia, so my replies may be a few hours behind. Good luck with the course and writing!!

[Cassie Randall]

Hello, Jo!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Hey Cassie, great to meet you!

[Karyn Laitis]

Hi Jo! Nice meeting you. Great accomplishments! Best wishes for your continued successes. I have a wonderful cat-Buddha. He’s a blessing.

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi again, Joanne,

You mentioned a “screenwriter’s safari” in your earlier reply to my post–please tell me more! I have never heard of such a thing. Also, am I supposed to know the woman you went on the safari with (Jen Grisanti) since you mentioned her name? Is she a fellow scribe?

[Francine Miranda]

Greetings!

I’m Francine and I’ve written 5 scripts and a pilot. Ok well the first script shouldn’t count, haha. So let’s say 4 scripts.

I took this class with the hopes of getting back on track with writing. I’ve been side tracked with work and life stuffs, and just really miss writing scripts.

Something unique about me is that I read Tarot cards for fun. I won’t claim to be psychic but sometimes the readings can be spot on – spooky!

Happy to meet everyone, wish you all the best of luck and all the success!

[Ruthie Harris]

Francine! I’m so happy you signed up. Can’t wait to blast our way through this course with you…🤣

[Brian Bull]

Hello Francine – I always wanted to have a Tarot Card reading!!! That is so cool. I bet you have a lot of fun with that – or maybe not – depends I suppose. Looking forward to having you in class and getting to know you.

[Francine Miranda]

Hi Brian, happy to meet you! Yeah tarot’s actually fun, but sometimes stressful when people ask crazy serious questions, like ‘will my boyfriend propose’, and then the reading said ‘no’ 😂 omg that was an awkward reading haha (he eventually did propose to her!)

[Cassie Randall]

Hello, Francine! I did a little tarot before, but I am a huge fan of animal totems and spirit animals 😀

[Francine Miranda]

Hi, nice to meet you Cassie! I’m like the opposite, I’ve only done a little bit with spirit animals, but it’s sounds interesting! Very cool 😀

[JOANNE Bellew]

Another spiritualist. I love it! Very cool that you’re getting back into the writing, Francine. Looking forward to working with you!!

[Francine Miranda]

Happy to meet you Joanne! Looking forward to working with you too! We’ll channel some great stories on this journey 😀

[Karyn Laitis]

Hi Francine-wonderful to meet you. Consider you are now back on track! And “spooky” is good.

[Francine Miranda]

Thanks Karyn! Happy to meet you too! I feel so motivated writing this week, back on track and ready to roll!

And yes yes! “spooky” is great! 👻

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Hello, my name is Ashley. I’m nearly finished with my first script. I’ve always been a writer, but I’m new to screenwriting. I hope to transform my first draft into a professional quality script.

I’m taking this class to learn how to write high level scripts that entertain and get sold.

I have a masters degree in media and communications, and I currently work for the World Health Organization in Geneva. I’ve been an American expat for about 15 years.

I’m looking forward to working with you all!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Ashley – Looking forward to having you in class. It must be beautiful where you are at.

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Looking forward to working with you too!

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Ashley!

[JOANNE Bellew]

Sounds like an exciting life, Ashley. Brilliant. Looking forward to working with you, too!

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Looking forward to working with you too!

[Karyn Laitis]

Good meeting you Ashley. I’ve also been a writer, but now shifting to screenwriting. Good luck to us!

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Nice meeting you too, Karyn! Yes, good luck to us! I’ve heard some skills cross over to screenwriting. 😊

[Michael O’Keefe]

Hello Ashley and welcome. It will be a great class. As a Screenwriting University alumni, I can attest to Hal’s abilities. You will find your script growing, changing, becoming a story that moves you and your audience.

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Thanks, Michael! That’s very encouraging. Looking forward to it!

[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.

I hope to write an excellent script and sell it but first get the skills to do it, here.

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.

[Brian Bull]

Hello Chris – That certainly sounds like a great experience you had with Jim Cash. The time might be right for you to be the next Jim Cash. Am I right???

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Chris! Are you a Michigan State alumni? There is a huuuuuge population of alumni in and around the specific neighborhood I live in in Houston. They have their own dedicated bar down the street! 😀

[Christopher Confer]

Hi Cassie,

Their own bar? Cool. Yes, I am a Michigan State alumnus. My brother-in-law lived in Houston for about 6 years working for NASA. He is a packaging major from MSU. Yup, they have a major in it, go figure. He packaged M&Ms to send into orbit for the astronauts. He said he ran into an ex-president once at the local supermarket. Surreal experience with secret service on the ends of the aisle the prez was on. I’ll have to ask him what neighborhood he lived in. He said the restaurants are over-the-top in Houston, tons of great choices. What is the bar, I’ll have to go when I am in Houston. Only ever been to Texas once, in Dallas.

Looking forward to working with everyone.

[Cassie Randall]

Whoa, that’s some crazy stuff, seeing an ex-president just out shopping with his guys on the ends of the aisles! Did he remember what the ex-prez had in his cart? XD

And YES! Make sure you hit this bar up…
https://mcintyresusa.com/

When they have games on, it is PACKED, and it’s all themed and decorated. It’s awesome to see.

[JOANNE Bellew]

Such an interesting story, Chris. He’s probably right about the VHS logic. Thank God for streaming. You’re fine unless someone borrows the TV and doesn’t give it back!

[Karyn Laitis]

Good to meet you Chris. Nice connection. Yes–good experiences and insights!

[Brian Atkins]

Hi, everyone I’m Brian,

I have a couple of scripts in the gestation stage so to speak, hoping this class will help me get one over the finish line.. I have however written a stageplay that is published, and am hoping to have it produced.

I really hope to gain some insight on how to get unstuck and brainstorm more. And just unlock the stagnancy that I can get into.

What’s special about me is that I have an independent entertainment company that specializes in the four main mediums of music, writing, video, art.

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Brian! Yay, stage plays! I’ve done short plays and lots of sketch comedy 😀

[Brian Bull]

Hello Brian – Looking forward to having you in class. There’s Fantasy, STUCK, Deadlines and EMPOWERMENT. It might be time for you to get un-“STUCK” and step into the EMPOWERMENT section – that’s what I have learned so far in this class. Take ACTION doing something you LOVE!!!

[Brian Atkins]

thnx B. preciate u

[JOANNE Bellew]

Congrats on your success with the stageplay, Brian! Sounds like you’re a master of many trades. Awesome!!

[Brian Atkins]

Thnx JoAnn, yes I am of sorts now it’s time to laser focus. What are your favorite things to write?

[Eden Young]

Hi Brian! 😊 Eden

[Michael O’Keefe]

Brian, this class will certainly give you the tools to prevent you from becoming ‘stuck’ or ending up with writer’s block. Give the process a real shot and you will be amazed at how liberating the processes prove to be. There is something to be said for processes which Hal will teach us and structure which they entail while at the same time using your creative gifts. It truly empowers your creativity and the focus and purpose push you to the next level.

[Brian Atkins]

Thas Awesome Michael, looking forward to it

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, I’m Cassie Randall!

How many scripts have you written?
Two full length movie scripts, one for a high school course and one for my master’s degree (not at all proud of either of them lol), a bunch of sketch comedy pieces, short plays, and monologues.

What do you hope to get out of the class?
How to write scripts that I’m actually proud of (!) and establish the work structure to continually improve with each future script. I want to learn how to pitch scripts effectively because, shallow as it sounds, I want to make money off of my scripts to supplement my public school teacher salary XD I also hope to make long-lasting connections and relationships with other writers as we grow, improve, and hopefully bust into the industry–if you haven’t already!

Something unique, special, strange, or unusual about you?
I write, produce, and perform/participate in local sketch comedy shows, improv comedy shows (no writing there, though, lol), and a local film festival here in my very favorite city, Houston, Texas! 😀

[JOANNE Bellew]

That all sounds very cool, Cheryl. I bet there’s a very good comedy screenplay in there!!

[Brian Bull]

Looking forward to having you in class.

[Ruthie Harris]

Hey Cassie – since you’re a Texas gal – are you going to AFF this year? I have my tix – can’t wait, would be so cool to meet up with any SU peeps there…

[Cassie Randall]

Hey, Ruthie! No, it’s crazy, I moved here nine years ago and I haven’t been! 🙁 Have you been before?

[Haley Chambers]

Nice to meet you Cassie!

[Christopher Confer]

Hi Cassie,

I once met this guy who was an editor for some famous TV shows and told him I wrote a script and thought it sucked too. You know what he said? At least you had the courage to do it, most people don’t. The next one will be better. He was right. He wrote this really awesome non-fiction book about his experiences in Japan when he was given a choice by a judge between jail for drag racing or the army. He took the army.

Keep throwing paint on the canvas and see what sticks. We can edit later. What grade do you teach and did you get your Masters in Ed?

Good to meet you. Looking forward to learning a lot in this class and improving.

[Cassie Randall]

That is a great way to look at it 😀 This whole course and working with everyone is going to be great for my outlook, I do believe!

I teach 9-12th grades, started as an English teacher for six years, slowly transitioned into audio/video production and other career/technical education classes about five-ish years ago. I’ll never go back XD

I got my master’s in English, focus on screenwriting. There was a required class on classroom management or something, and the teacher was a cool guy, but you could tell he’d never been in a public school classroom before hahaha XD

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Cassie,

I love sketch comedy and my improv classes as an actor have been some of my favorite. Have you been to many sketch comedy shows? If/when you come out to Los Angeles, I highly recommend catching a show whether with The Groundlings, Second City, or the Improv among the dozens of others around town.

Houston is a great city! I have very close friends who live there and I once stayed with them for three months when I was “between” living spaces!

Looking forward to working, creating, and laughing together!

Best,

Julia Farsadi 😆

[Lenore]

Hello all, I am Lenore Bechtel living in Eufaula, OK. I am a. produced playwright trying to become a produced screenwriter. I have written two rom-coms which didn’t win a contest, but received encouraging feedback that I hope to use during this class to make them salable.

A former Sweet Adeline, I have written a musical comedy about a girl defying her family to sing a different style–a script I also hope to improve with this class. I am very old and have been writing all my life, but gave up on any rejected manuscript after one try. I hope to revive many of those in screenplay form.

During my working years as a teacher, guidance counselor, jounalist, editor, and public relations consultant, I was always going to write plays when I retired. I was successful in getting thirteen produced by community theaters and am seeking the same success with screenplays. I recognize that to do so, I need to develop new skills, and that’s good. Learning keeps my brain young, and typing keeps my fingers nimble.

[JOANNE Bellew]

It’s so exciting that you’re getting those rejected manuscripts out of the drawer, Lenore! Brilliant!!

[Brian Bull]

Hello Lenore – Looking forward to having you in class.

[Cassie Randall]

Hi, Lenore! Congrats on the theater success and I’m excited for you to roll it into screenplays!

[Eden Young]

Bonjour Lenore 😊 Happy to meet you Eden

[Michael O’Keefe]

Lenore, you have been writing in some form or another for a long time and that will serve you well. Hal is incredible, his processs and how he breaks down the magic that is a great script into understandable segments will certainly elevate your game. Enjoy the ride as they say.

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

Hi, my name is Jeannine and i am a screenwriter / director from Switzerland.

I have completed 3 scripts, one TV pilot and about 7 shortfilm scripts.

In this class I hope to connect with other writers, maybe find a great writing partner ( I love to exchange and co-write), improve my writing and marketing skills and keep focused on one project.

<div>I have been blessed to travel and dive into other people’s life that are completely different then mine. I lived a month with a tribe in the Amazon, where the shamans showed me how they heal with plant medicine. I toured with an African circus, visited sumo fighters in Japan, and last year went to the Arctic with a crazy light artist, that projected images onto floating icebergs from a fishing boat of the Inuits. 😊
</div>

[Paul Schutte]

Jeannine! Holy cow! What an amazing set of experiences!

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

Thank you. Yours are not too bad either. 😉 Although I would be probably the wrong person to be in a space shuttle. I get super easy car sick and I like to have a lot of space. I imagine that in a space ship space is a bit limited. 😁 What’s one place where you would like to go but never been?

[Cassie Randall]

Girl, you could fill full days of movies written by you with those experiences! Awesome to meet you!

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

Thank you. I have some good and crazy stories that happened to me. I think it is hard to write if you have not lived and experienced a lot. What do you think?

[Michael O’Keefe]

Jeannine, in a word, WOW! You have done some amazingly novel and free-spirited things. I can only imagine, guess that’s why I am a writer. I have a bucket list and it is nearly empty. Better take a page from your book and start broadening my expriences.

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

Yes, I am fortunate that I was able to see so much of the world and have crazy and wonderful experiences in my life. So now I am curious what is left on your bucket list…?

[Julia Farsadi]

Nice to meet you, Jeannine! What’s your favorite thing about being from Switzerland?

Best,

Julia Farsadi

[Jeannine Hegelbach]

There are several things that are really nice about Switzerland: the nature is very clean like the rivers and all. It is a very safe country and we have a really good social security system. Of course like every country it has its good and its bad sides. One of the things I don’t like too much is, that in general people are a bit close-minded. 😆 What country are you from and what do you like and dislike there?

[Michael O’Keefe]

Hello and good evening. I am excited to be in the class. I have taken a number of classes from Hal and Cheryl and they have been incredibly enlightening.

My name is Michael, I have written a number of scripts and with each class and the results from the class the writing improves, the craft and it is a real craft requires training, discipline and a lot of hard work. I currently have two scripts with agencies under consideration. What I hope to learn from Hal and from the my classmates is honing my craft and improving it. I am a firm believer in making each page, each scene 1% better every time I rewrite and review the work.

Something strange about myself? I would have to say it’s the dual life I lead. I have been in business, still am. I have owned a securities firm, a consulting company, I have a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and yet, I am a writer in my soul and find no greater satisfaction than creating scripts.

We look forward to working with you all!

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Michael,

Nice to meet you. Congrats on your success both in biz and in writing. What other classes did you take with Hal and Cheryl?

I agree there is so much we can always be improving on and that 1% difference could be the difference between selling a script or winning a contest or not. I admire your discipline and work ethic. Writing is a real trade craft, imo.

Looking forward to upping our game even further here!😉

All best,

Julia Farsadi

[Michael O’Keefe]

Julia, good morning. I have taken four other classes with Hal. A six month pro-master class, which was amazing, a writing mystery class, Power players class, the 30 day screenplay class this course. I have learned a lot in each class. Furthermore, it forces me to up my game as you put it and improve aspects of my script that I normally wouldn’t think to elevate.

This is going to be a great class.. Look forward to reading what you create.

[Michael O’Keefe]

Cassie, welcome. I admire those of you who can teach our youth. I used to teach undergraduate and graduate classes in business and finance at the university before I got too busy with the demands of corporate life to ‘give back.’ Yep, I sold out —

Thirty pieces of gold, I actually had a tee-shirt made that said that. No regrets, well none I will own up to. I am still swimming in the shark tank as the saying goes for a Global firm.

I have written over a dozen scripts, two of which are with agencies as we speak. I have taken a number of courses with Hal and he is frankly amazing. The man is a real genius at breaking the magic that is a great script into segments that make sense.

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Lloyd Shellenberger

I have written 5 scripts

I hope to become a better writer and better producer

Former Military served in Iraq former AFN Journalist covered the Mass Graves of Iraq and visits from dignitaries and politicians and other historical events during my tenure

I look forward to learning and growing with all of you

Lloyd Shellenberger

[Eden Young]

Hello Lloyd Shellenberger 😊

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Hello to you and I hope you are having a great day.

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Hello Eden,

Thank you for messaging me I hope all is well for you.

[Julia Farsadi]

Hi Lloyd, welcome. Those are some tough assignments. Journalism is one of those fields I am kind of in awe of… Glad to have you here.

Julia Farsadi <3

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Hello Julia,

Nice to meet you hope you get what you want out of this course.

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Lloyd Shellenberger

I have written 4 scripts and several documentaries and print projects. I hope to improve my script writing abilities through this class. I am an independent Producer who wants to improve my writing skills.

I was an AFN journalist during the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars. Covered the mass graves of Iraq with National Geographic. Created Public Affairs publicity kits for politician and dignitaries visiting the area of operations. I retired from the military in 2021. I look forward to working with all of you.

Respectfully Yours;

Lloyd Shellenberger

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

5 script if you count the Bladerunner sequel that sits on my wall. I try not to count it.

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Lloyd Shellenberger

Working hard everyday to become the best writer I can be in Hollywood and as a result being successful at it!

What I learned from this fits my thinking and willingness to use formulas and established concepts in a modular mode.

[WIM] Module 2 — Lesson 1: Great Outlines Make Great Scripts!

High Concept: After several failed inquiries to secure a visa for the family of a murdered Iraq interpreter, U.S. Soldiers risk their lives to save widow and her children from certain death.

Title: Letters from Baghdad

Major Story Hook: Sergeant Reese and his men risk their lives and careers to save a mother and her children from terrorists hellbent on murder.

Finally, a South Dakota Congressman steps in at the request of the soldiers from his district to force the State department do the right thing.

Based upon a true story. The names and faces will be changed to protect the family.

Character Structure:Dramatic Triangle

Dramatic Triangle

A dramatic triangle has three characters wrapped up in a web where there are deeper implications to their relationships than what we see in the beginning. Much of the drama is based around how the three people are connected as the layers are revealed.

The triangle here that I see is the family, the terrorist vs the soldier, and finally the State department.

Protagonist versus Antagonist.
The Protagonist is the “hero” of the story. He or she is the main character that we follow throughout their journey. The Antagonist is the person who opposes them or who causes the most change in the Protagonist. This character structure pits these two against each other with these two being the main players. One is going to be the winner and the other the loser.

This could also be a case of the Soldiers vs. Terrorist in a much simpler form.

I am struggling trying to pick the character vehicle to use?

Is this where we post our assignments now? I hope so.

[Eden Young]

That’sDEEP Lloyd. That’sDEEP! See you in our WIM5 cyber world …

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Thanks hope you find what you are looking for here

[Veronica Turowski]

Hi! My name is Veronica Turowski.

I have written 5 scripts since taking Hal’s classes over the last seven years. Several scripts have gotten recommends that I am currently marketing. By doing the assignments and getting input from classmates, I hope to end up with a great script that is marketable.

I’ve been into film and photography since childhood. Something interesting…hmmm. In 2021, my husband and I spent four months on the road, driving over 24,000 miles through 31 states in our car. We shot over 350,000 photos.

[Eden Young]

Hello Veronica 🚗🚙🛻

Wow 24,000 mile road trip. Fun. Looking forward to learning & being on this journey with you.

Warmly,

Eden 🌺

[Agnes McCourt]

I have already posted my introduction days ago, to this forum for this new course, but still keep getting notification messages to the contrary. Can you please advise if there is another location I am supposed to post to, as i do not seem to be getting through to this course? It’s in the same area as all the other introduction posts.

[H. Vince]

Hi Agnes,

I am a fellow student and just saw your message. Were you able to access all of the assignments yet? The assignments instruct for us to email each one. We haven’t reached the point to post anything else in the forum. So far we are only supposed to post our confidential agreement and one intro unless we wanted to message other students.

I just wanted to try to help you out.

– H. Vince 😀

[Michael O’Keefe]

I cannot find or locate the forum for the assignments for this Writing Incredible Movies course?? I have done the first four assignments but do not know where to upload them.

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Sir,

Send your assignments to concepts@screenwritingu.com with the vision statement and what you have learned on top. In the subject box Put WIM your name and Module and lesson number and name. Hope this helps.

Respectfully Yours;

Lloyd Shellenberger

[Eden Young]

Hi Lloyd,

I just read your great outline posting from my email and wanted to give it a “Like” but couldn’t find it in any the threads. Good stuff.

Cheers.

Eeen

[Christopher Confer]

Module 2 Lesson 1: Great Outlines Make Great Scripts!

Chris Confer’s Exciting Vision:

To write and sell excellent, original, enticing screenplays in order to take audiences on cinematic adventures that satisfy their need for great stories.

What I learned from doing this assignment is…that the first nine assignments helped keep the story focused and the story selection focused which is now shaping into to something strong.

Title: Rotary Phone Star Chamber

Concept: What if two judges fed up with crime, implement their own private court to punish a Russian gang that is deliberately causing subversion on the streets of LA.

Two physically fit judges kick ass and take names in order to protect their city.

Character Structure: Buddy

[Eden Young]

Hot Digity Dog 👍🏼 😃

[Christopher Confer]

Thanks Eden

[Cassie Randall]

Yessir! About time judges get their due!

[Eden Young]

Take 2: I thought I posted this, this morning

WIM Eden Young Great Outlines Make Great Acripts!

My vision: I am going to do my best to be an empowered, wonderful writer that’s known for great dialogue and great characters that win audiences’ hearts.

What I learned from doing this assignment is the unknown doesn’t have to be terrifying, that it actually is the very thing that will guide us to greatness. And I learned that Outlining is the key to success and pushing the “easy button” not making your life more difficult than it has to be.

My Title: LIVE CALL

My Concept: What if your husband had to call his mom every time he had to make a big decision. Only she’s been dead for 30 years.

My Character Structure: Dramatic Triangle–

[Christopher Confer]

Nice, there is so much to explore in that triangle and the mom’s dead. Can’t wait to see.

[Eden Young]

Thank you, Chris.

[Cassie Randall]

Oooh boy there are all KINDS of tensions you can explore with this one! I’m so excited!

[Eden Young]

Thank you Cassie.

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Thanks, Eden! I love your concept too! So many interesting places you can take it. Is he a psychic medium? I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

[Eden Young]

Thank you Ashley. Time will tell 😉

[Marguerite Langstaff]

Module 2 Lesson 1 Great Outlines Make Great Scripts

Marguerite Langstaff

Title: The Billionaire in 501

Vision: I want to learn to write and market movie scripts.

What I learned from doing this assignment is: I needed an antagonist to come up with a plot for my story….

Activity: creating an outline that turns into an amazing story!

State: I am really good at struggling for a plot. I keep envisioning scenes and have to struggle with the rest.

Concept: Grandmother moves to Shady Acres Retirement Home, and meets Sam at a business meeting. When working together on a project Sam’s daughter tries to sabotage the friendship while Grandmother’s son encourages it, saying people need people. Grandmother finds she’s a bit short of money, so she begins to write an advice column for newspapers. She and Sam battle for having the best business model for their little group at Shady Acres, but when Grandmother sells her advice to a major news outlet and become famous as the Billionaire in 501 Sam concedes that she wins and that people need people….and he needs Grandmother. Love blossoms at Shady Acres.

The Character Structure is Protagonist versus Antagonist. Grandmother is the Protagonist and Sam is the Antagonist.

[Eden Young]

Hello Marguerite, We probably aren’t supposed to comment yet; however I’m looking forward to seeing this.

Eden

[Cassie Randall]

Wow, that is a beautiful lesson at the end 😀 Get it, Marguerite!

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Ashley’s Title, Concept, and Character Structure!

Vision: I write enthralling, entertaining, and transformational scripts that win awards, get produced and create positive change in the world.

I learned that my outline for this film is too long (20 – 30 pages) and a great outline is 5 – 10 pages. I also learned that an outline isn’t just for me. It’s also for managers and producers.

The Plumed Serpent is a historical fantasy film about Malinche, a superhuman Aztec translator, who travels back in time to stop the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 16th century Mexico. But Malinche is torn between her love for her son and her people.

I chose the Protagonist versus Antagonist Character Structure, but there is the potential for a Romantic Triangle if I choose to go in that direction.

[Cassie Randall]

Ooh, that is a tough, fascinating place to put your protagonist! And I’ve never heard of this setting or basic story, or even considered it! Dang! I’m excited to watch it grow!!

[Eden Young]

Love it Ashley! Super Enthralling. Looking forward to see if you add that romantic twist. 🌻😃

[Cassie Randall]

Module 2 Lesson 1: Cassie’s Title, Concept, and Character Structure

My vision: I am a dynamic, respected, constantly learning and growing writer with an ever-growing and improving library of A-list quality, genre-diverse scripts that present genuine stories that audiences love to watch and that producers love to sell, and boy, do I make that MONEY, y’all!

What I learned from doing this assignment is…

I had a bunch of potential ideas I had listed out from the last assignment–more than three, gasp!–that I held on to and let simmer. I ran my ideas again past a new audience for their reactions and feedback. I actually went with an idea I’d been holding onto in the back but hadn’t “tested” very well with my audiences. As I worked through this assignment with each of my potential ideas, this idea grabbed the buddy movie character structure immediately. Two or three of my other concepts also stuck to structures quickly, but as I considered this one and wrote some notes, I could see the basic story structure and some supporting characters popped up and I ended up with a lot of strong, useful notes and it made me feel excited and optimistic. Also through the process of holding onto ideas and working multiples through these assignments to varying degrees of satisfaction, I was able to further refine my concept into something that I think describes more closely the script I currently have in mind.

I am holding onto the story of Friday the 13th’s original intended story as a comforting reminder to stay open to the process. I have tended in the past to kind of fall blindly into sunk cost and not be open to adjustments or changes as I go, so I’m very excited to learn the process in this course!

Title: One Bed/One Bath and a Ghost –OR– One Bed, One Bath, One Ghost

Concept: A recent divorcé with nowhere else to go rents a one-bedroom apartment already occupied by a cranky ghost with no desire for a roommate.

Good luck, everyone! 😀

[Ashley Sarikaya]

Thanks, Cassie! I’m excited to watch your idea develop too! I can’t wait to discover who this cranky ghost is! Hmm maybe she’s connected to the recent divorcé or her ex?

[Cassie Randall]

Thanks, Ashley! 😀 And oh, dang, ghosts AND tea?! 😀

[Eden Young]

Good stuff, Cassie! Can’t wait to see more & you making that MONEY 😃

[Christopher Confer]

WIM Module 2 Lesson 2 Intentional Lead Characters

Chris Confer’s Exciting Vision:

To write and sell excellent, original, enticing screenplays in order to take audiences on cinematic adventures that satisfy their need for great stories.

What I learned doing this assignment is…just keep writing every day consistently and in a disciplined manner-IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT-keep getting paint on the canvas. Later I will fine tune it into the masterpiece but first there has to be a base. This is the advantage of painting with words: you can change it later. Real painting is not that forgiving.

Protagonist Character: Judge Ken

Logline: Judge Ken until he lost his wife to a distracted driver who was texting while driving, was a bit of a purist on the law. He has started giving out sentences for distracted driving of taking away peoples’ smart phones and making them use a rotary cell phone for six months to a year or longer. He feels society is decaying and wants to do something about it to avenge his wife’s death.

Unique: He is second generation Korean America, went to law school, made his parents proud. Black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Protagonist Character: Judge Jason

Logline: Judge Jason lost a daughter to a distracted driver. He got so fed up with a lack of justice that he started a star chamber.

Unique: He grew up poor and is very street smart. A middle school teacher saw something in him and helped guide him to college instead gang life. He too went to law school and made his mentor proud.

Antagonist Character: Burlyman

Logline: Burlyman is a programmed robot of a human, programmed by Kirill through torture.

Unique: He goes out and causes all sorts of traffic accidents, deaths. Should I have him be a total robot or a brawler? Brawler is better for drama. Maybe one of his sidekicks could be programmed as a total robot but he is programmed as a brawler model.

Antagonist Character: Kirill

Logline: Kirill is a Russian spy sent here to commit subversion. He has no official cover and is here illegally.

Unique: He programs innocent Americans to cause mayhem especially in traffic situations. Someone on his side decided traffic mayhem causes economic harm and made a plan of it. Really bizarre.

[Eden Young]

That’sDEEP! I want to see this, popcorn and all! They started new forums for the modules. If you have time copy paste it Sp the others can see. Love the brawler idea.

My mom got hit by a car at the height of COVID. Luckily survived 🙏🏽 I really think this is great for what it’s worth.

Cheers…

[Christopher Confer]

Thanks Eden, I will move it over there. Sorry about your mom.

Chris

[Lloyd Shellenberger]

Is there more to this course than just two modules. I thought there were 9? Please advise?

Respectfully Yours;

Lloyd Shellenberger

[Christopher Confer]

Hi Lloyd,

I posted that one in the wrong area. Eden corrected me. Sorry for any confusion.

Kind regards,

Chris Confer

[Brian Atkins]

Hi I’m Brian Atkins, I apologize if I’m Posting in the wrong thread I’m not used to this format but I’m trying to get better at it… I think this is where I post my assignments as well. I look forward to catching up so I can get an accountability partner during the speed writing part

<b jsname=”r4nke” tabindex=”-1″ data-thread-perm-id=”thread-a:r4788259137004899278″ data-legacy-thread-id=”189c70d0bc93997e” style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Brian’s Character Intrigue.

I want to be known as a great writer, one who is able to create a moving compelling story that touches on the various social ills, as well as personal triumphs and tragedies I can use to uplift and encourage the masses.

I learned from this assignment that long gone is the day where characters are just one dimensional, also the more layers the more complex and interesting the character will be. And that is what gets actors foaming at the bit to play.

Character Name: JAMES BENNETT

Role: Protagonist

Hidden Agendas: NONE

Competition: Himself

Conspiracies: NONE

Secrets: Bennett murdered the man who molested his future wife.

Deception: He has moments of being evasive to make sure his secret stays hidden.

Unspoken Word: It (the murder) paralyzes him from the standpoint that he had a religious background and he has internal conflict knowing what he’s done.

Secret Identity: NONE

In the film Bennett’s subtext will show up in his standoffish demeanor where he holds people at bay not really letting people get too close to him. The flip side of that is that he really longs to let people in.

Character Name: Elimane

Role: Antagonist

Hidden Agendas: He will have several hidden agendas starting with a plan to gain control over the Assembly of the Undead by causing division amongst the vampires.

Competition: Sigmund at the beginning is short lived but there will be some more with perhaps Hans.

Conspiracies: Yes, everything about Eli is to gain control over the assembly and put the African vampires in control of the assembly.

Secrets: Ironically he has none well except for enacting his revenge on his master the witch but that’s to be expected.

Deception: He will deceive many just to get his end result.

Unspoken Word: tie in with his revenge on the witch again

Secret Identity: He has none since all the ghouls know he is the accursed Impundulu.

Character: Silas

Role: Vietnam vet turned Vampire hunter

Hidden Agendas: At this stage in his life he just wants to lay low after destroying Elimane’s brood during his vampire hunting days.

Competition: When he was in his prime he had none

Conspiracies: NONE

SECRETS: He has a few, he destroyed Eli’s brood and was involved in a sexual relationship with the witch. Oh yeah and the kicker is he knows Bennet’s secret.

Deception: Silas wasn’t so noble in his younger days his good deeds came at a price.

Unspoken Word: he’s a very mysterious man

Secret Identity: None