Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Vincent Ovalle]

Hello everyone my name is Vincent Ovalle ,and I hope I can learn enough in this Scene Mastery course to be able to write short films. I think I have a fun and exciting point of view that can help me write interesting screenplays. I’m eager to write my first screenplay.

[Anna Burroughs-Merrill]

I’m Anna, attorney by day, and then by night, I kill off opposing counsel, recalcitrant judges, and annoying parties opponent (and even sometimes my OWN clients) in original and sadistic ways. Shhh!!! Don’t tell anybody! I plead the fifth!

I’m primarily a fiction writer, but I’m an alumni of ProSeries 60, as well as Bingeworthy Bootcamp and a bunch of shorter classes. “Master of Fine Arts” degree literary programs really suck… Hal teaches the skills. So here I am. Crappy screenwriter, but master of complex sci-fantasy world-building, and killing characters.

I’ve got three completed scripts (a post-apocalyptic thriller, a contemporary fantasy drama, and a horror story), about a half-dozen “plot bunnies” that I started for various classes and never finished, and am currently 4/5th of the way finishing a proposed television series. I’ve got some real difficult scenes that just aren’t working. They need to be “cinematic.” And they need to rip your heart out. So here’s to hoping I can use this class to iron the bugs out.

[Shannon Collier]

Hello!

I’m Shannon Steele.

I’ve just started into the world of screenwriting last year (unless you count a radio play I wrote in grade 10). I’ve written 2 short films and a play this past year – all of which I’m delighted to say have been produced. I’m in the process of writing 2 more shorts and a feature film.

I’ve take a couple courses on screenwriting and playwriting, but am constantly looking at how to improve my work. As I write more material, the more I know I don’t know. Hoping this class will help answer some of those questions, get me thinking in new and exciting ways, motivate me to keep writing, and teach me lots.

I’m an actor originally but have struggled to find work where I presently live (Calgary). It’s an up and coming place, but I just don’t have the experience yet to crack the glass ceiling. So instead of sitting around for work to come to me, I’ve decided to make my own work and cast myself. I’ve made some amazing connections and friends in the industry and together we are making movie (and theatre) magic!

[Renee Miller]

Hi!

I’m Renee Moore. I’m an optioned screenwriter, and I’ve been taking classes with Hal since 2018. I currently have four finished scripts (three Horror scripts and one thriller) and about 1/2 a dozen in different stages of completion. I’m taking this class to learn how to create more engaging scenes and improve my writing.

Growing up, I was a member of the Junior Olympic Archery Development Team and would have been a part of the ’92 Olympics if I hadn’t broken my wrist the year before.

[Justin Justin Sabestinas Sabestinas]

Hey I’m Justin. I have a degree in creative writing and screenwriting from Eastern Washington University, and I took the ProSeries back in 2012. (I never finished that script because life threw a third child at me—a most enjoyable surprise that took up all my extra writing time outside my day job.) Now that the third (and then the fourth) child have grown up a bit, this past year I’ve finally taken my writing more seriously and have started doing part-time work for a filmmaker developing several films. That work is paying well enough that I can start paring back the hours I have to put in at my day job. I’m also continuing work on scripts I’ve drafted in the past to start shopping around. I’m taking this class both to elevate those drafts of my own work and to strengthen the work I’m doing for this filmmaker. I have spent a lot of time working on structure and concept, and I’m realizing that when it comes to scene-crafting, I feel weak. I hope that will change by the end of this course.

I’ve written four screenplays, two of them adaptations. <font face=”inherit”>I’m drawn to sci-fi, contained films, quirky comedic dramas, and historical fiction. I </font>also<font face=”inherit”> have begun dabbling in scripting graphic novels. </font>

[Courtney Hill]

Hello all,

My name is Courtney. I’ve written two scripts. I enjoy writing psychological thrillers, and maybe it’s because I work in mental health, ha. I’m hoping to learn how to make each scene the best it can be. I sometimes struggle with deciding if a scene’s necessary, the pace, and its value to the script. A fun fact about me is that I am a red belt in TaeKwonDo! I’m one belt away from my body being a lethal weapon.

[Rice Rice]

Hello everyone, I’m Frances Rice and I have written 25 scripts of varying lengths and genres. I’m also a producer and have garnered several film festival awards for my black history documentaries, including best documentaries and best producer. My production of a four-part mock TV news show was aired on a mid-level TV station. I hope this class will help me elevate the quality of the opening scenes for my science-fiction trilogy scripts to make them more action-oriented and engaging. Strangely enough, I am an author of a black history book, lawyer, and retired Army lieutenant colonel who developed a love of scriptwriting after being made aware of the fantastic ScreenwritingU courses offered by Hal and Cheryl, then taking several courses.

[Debbie Klaar]

Hi my name is Debbie Klaar. I have 3 features, written and copyrighted so far. I have one stage play and a book awaiting publication. I have a bachelors of arts and sciences from Fordham University, the College at Lincoln Center. My degrees are theatre arts and journalism – photography concentration. As part of my theatre degree I also trained in London, England. I hold a post graduate degree from NYU in producing. I worked at CBS Broadcasting to put myself through college to pay for what wasn’t covered by my scholarship. I then worked in computer animation when Pixar was just starting out. I want to polish my scripts so that even if I self-produce they will reach a large audience and open people up to new vistas. My family helped build 20th Century Fox as they were the film processors. So I was sort of born into this industry.

[Ron Berti]

Hi everybody

My name is Ron Berti, I’m a boomer, my dad was on PT boats during WWII, in the Solomons. I have written exactly one sorta kinda full script, the 30-day screenplay taught here. At the end of that arduous process I learned that I had developed two kinds of scenes: our hero, on the water, on the boats, in battle; and our hero, n the commander’s office getting chewed out. I figured out that I needed more characters, back story, overarching twists and turns, etc. I expect my second attempt to be heads and shoulders over the first one. I’m sure there are plenty of rewrites in my future.

My goal is to tell the stories of those boats and the men who were on them. They were a courageous bunch and, as we learn from history, with really defective weapons, so you had to be a little crazy to go out hunting for Japanese destroyers with suspect torpedoes. It should be a really visual story, too, with “rooster tails” behind the boats, doing 45 knots, armed to the teeth but made out of wood. They called it the “plywood fleet” although the only plywood was the captain’s console. I hope to avoid cliches (they are prevalent in WWII movies) and show rather than tell.

I listened to the presentation from Hal a week or so ago on this class and I realized that this class is perfect for me, an action film sold using more grown up components to keep the adults emotionally engaged. It’s going to force me to flesh out some of the large story elements I’ve been rolling around in my head, and I will learn a paradigm for getting some humanity into my characters so people really feel it when they go into battle. I have high hopes, my limits will be my own commitment to sitting down and doing the assignments every day. Up to me now. I should say that I really liked Tom Gun and thought the writing in Top Gun: Maverick was superb.

So that’s my gig. I’m in it to tell the story, I hope to do a spectacular job at it, and whether or not it gets bought isn’t “entirely” the point. But of course if somebody decides to produce it, I’ll be thrilled.

I call the script Mosquito Squadron because the Japanese called them that – devil boats or mosquito boats. Nuisances.

[Susan Willard]

Hi, my name is Susan Willard

I have not written any scripts.

I hope this class will help me make a script that others will enjoy.

I co-invented the deep water remote controlled camera, named T-Rex, for the 1998 expedition.

[Anis Taylor]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Anis Taylor, I am a writer and producer. When I am not working for others as a work for hire screenwriter, I produce content for my streaming platform, HigherThan7.com

I have written over a dozen scripts, from short films, to web series, to my first feature film which will be released in July on APEX.

I am hoping to use this class to improve my latest story. A suspense, action thriller.

Something unique about me is that I don’t get upset, and have a high amount of patience when working through very difficult and stressful situations. Rewriting a script more than a dozen times in a week is an example of my patience. I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this.

Looking forward to learning a lot in this class, and meeting you all!

[savanna]

Hi, I’m Savanna, my friends call me Sam.

I’ve written 2 scripts.

I hope to learn to analyze scenes and scripts more deeply.

I am learning Russian folkloric dances.

[Linda Bennett]

Hello, my name is Linda Bennett. I’m an alumni of the Pro Series 38B.

I’ve written 2 scripts and I’m working on my third one. I entered my first script into a script competition. I didn’t win but I didn’t do too bad. So, there’s hope. I, now realize what I have to concentrate on. So, I’m hoping this course will help me elevate my script. I, hope to one day to write a science fiction movie.

I’ve written 4 children’s books that are quirky, and in rhyme.

[Barbara Jacksha]

Hi, I’m Barbara Jacksha from Santa Fe, NM. I have written some scripts, though these days I write poetry, nonfiction and fiction (magical realism/curio fiction). I keep coming back to ScreenwritingU to refresh and elevate my writing skills. Right now, I’m doing final edits on what was originally my ProSeries 32b script, now the first book of a 3-novel series. Something unusual about me: animals always show up in my work. I think there’s a conspiracy. 🙂

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  Barbara Jacksha.

[chris Woodson]

Hi fellow wordslingers,

I’m Chris Woodson.

no idea. maybe 2 scripts.

I’m looking to create more mic drop moments, when called for, and just generally expand my writing skills.

I once helped film a class of cadets go through six months of training to become fish and game wardens for a state. it was pretty darn interesting!

happy writing to everyone!

chris

[Richard McMahon]

Hi, my is Richard McMahon. I have written over a dozen feature-length scripts.

While I have had nothing produced; I have had several options. been paid for a rewrite and was awarded a four-figure script development grant from my local film board.

Having my family life (wife, two young children) destroy my energy for the last eight years, I now hope to get back into a writing routine and I know this course will help me get back into the groove but make my writing more solid.

[Zev Ledman]

Hi everyone,

I’m Zev Ledman. I’m in a screenwriting group and have been writing for almost 20 years. However, I realized I had to up my game and have taken several classes by Hal & Cheryl. Without a doubt, these classes have improved my writing substantially. I hope this will be another class that takes me to the next level. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s comments on the lessons.

[jay miracle]

Hi –

I’m Jay Miracle –

I’ve written 4 scripts and am in the midst of a rewrite of the fourth.

I hope to get further insights into making every scene as great as possible – and am hoping to get renewed energy in my daily writing habit.

I worked for four years as a balloon pilot and crew manager, and traveled the world on several balloon trips.

<font face=”inherit”>I just got out of the hospital – after 2+ weeks: I came down with Covid and had some </font>complications (after avoiding it for 3 years!) I was at a documentary filmmaker Meetup event in L.A. – where nine people got Covid the same night. It’s still definitely out there! Best-

[Traci Bliss]

I’m Traci and I write based on a true story drama for TV. Currenly, I’m in the awesome AI Bingeworthy TV class. My recent breakthrough has been realizing that mastering scenes seems key to making AI work most effectively for my area of focus.

[juan solanas]

Hi I’m Juan Solanas, Argentinean Director, writer, producer.

I write a half dozen of script, just for my project.

Sorry about my english, I learn english in 3 month to direct a movie,

Since i try to improve it!

I’m a 100% self learning writer, my first try was my only short that I also direct, I win the jury prize in the official selection in cannes film festival, The Man Without a Head. Since then I keep writing and directing full features movies or engaged documentaries and had two official selections in cannes and several prizes around the world. In http://www.juansolanas.com you can watch the short and see the other movies I deed. I’m also a visual artist making immersive video installations and fine art photography.

I’m always curious to learn, specially learns others approach for write. I write always with deep intuitions and try to keep it fresh, non program, I always get bore when I saw a movie, and since the beginning you can predict everything the will happens, I try to write in the opposite way, try to fish in deep water, but is hard. So I think this course could be a fantastic complement to my way of writing.

My other passion are my wife and two child, astrophysics and electric guitar, I just start to learn electronic and design pedal for electric guitar just for fun.

juansolanas.com

Film Maker | Juan Solanas

juan solanas work as movie director, artist, video instalation, photographer, juan solanas realisateur, artiste, video instalation, photographe, juan solanas director de cine, artista, video instalaciones, fotografo, publicidad. upside down, nordeste, el hombre sin cabeza, l'homme sans tete, the man without … Continue reading

[Mary Emmick]

Hi everyone. My name is Mary Emmick. I have written one script and am working on a second one. I have taken other classes from Hal and have enjoyed them. Hoping to learn more about creating great scenes. An interesting thing I did during Covid when I could focus on writing is that I wrote a book: A Year in the Garden: A Month-by-Month View into my Pacific Northwest Garden.

[Mary Dietz]

My name is Mary Dietz. I have the first draft of a script which I have set aside while I worked on a novel that wouldn’t let my mind focus until I finished it.

I find I do well setting up characters, dialogue, and plot. I’m weak in getting the emotion on the page. I’m hoping this class will help me in that capacity…both for screenwriting and works of prose.

I’m a religious sister in the male-dominated Catholic Church. I hope to write some of the best stories of our faith from the women’s point of view.