Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Sandy Nichols]

Hello!

My name is Sandy Nichols. I’m actually working on a sitcom idea. I have the pilot script roughly done and am working on the pitch deck to send to potential investors and/or producers. I’m hoping to learn how best to polish this script and how to build an attractive and attention grabbing pitch deck!

[Jeff Bassetti]

Hi!

My name is Jeff Bassetti. I’ve written about 12 screenplays, some in the well-trodden territory of vampires, PHIEND, and zombies, CHILDREN OF THE DEAD, both of which I tried to go beyond what has been written. I interned at Lucasfilm’s ILM back in 1989 and 90 in the analog days when CGI was just starting up. I wrote, produced, and directed the indie feature film called F-STOPS. I am working on a true crime documentary on the 1920 suicide of Elsa Lemp and will be shooting my short screenplay, Murphy’s Gulch next year. I have two new screenplays, THE WAR ON and GETTING EVEN STEVEN, and I want to see what I can make happen with these two projects.

[Diane Keranen]

Hi Everyone,
I’m Diane. I’ve written two feature-length dramas, I have two in the works (one drama, one horror), and a Christmas romance co-written with a friend. I’ve also written a few shorts. I hope to develop the know-how that will help me reach the right people in the right way to generate some interest in my work in order to get my scripts produced and out there (and money coming in, of course). I’m working on changing careers late in the game. I think I can do it. Wait, no, I can do it!

[Scott Billings]

1. Scott Billings
2. 12 scripts
3. Find a manager
4. My background is a business journalist for print and TV.

[Gila Zalon]

Hi. My name is Gila Zalon. Sorry I got to this so late but the class is competing with a short film on which I am a producer. I have had one full-length and 3 short films produced. I was a producer on another full-length movie. I have written 6 scripts that I feel are complete. I have written and directed plays for both children and adults. And I have had a successful career as a dancer and actress. I am in my 80's and screenwriting has been my third career. I hope to learn how to get producers interested in my other scripts. Since starting this class another of my scripts has gained interest from a production company. That may add to what I learn in this class. Good luck to all of you.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 3 weeks ago by  Gila Zalon.

[Gregory Kauffman]

1. Gregory Kauffman
2. 12 scripts you’ve written
3. A sale.
4. I’ve lived on the Galapagos Islands

[Bill Young Jr.]

Hello Hal, Cheryl, and all my fellow ScreenwritingU students!
1. Name?
I write fiction under the name Bill Young Jr., sometimes sign communications with "byjr".
2. How many scripts you’ve written?
I have only written one script, a first draft that is 99% done. Problem is, it is 740+ pages long, estimated to be 760 once finished. I am also on the ScreenwritingU "Professional Rewrite Class" which is helping me greatly to get it down to at least 180 pages or lower. Since my outlines and drafts fit the massive 1st Draft, and I have other commitments, I am still about 2/3rds through that class and will continue it while doing this class. (I assume other on that class completed it a while ago.)
So far I am more of a novel writer than a screenplay writer, but I plan to learn to be both.
3. What you hope to get out of the class?
How to effectively market my screenplay and also be able to market it to those I want to make the movie, and attract the actors I need/want to make this a successful movie. [Some of this is covered in the other course, especially re screenplay content to attract A-list actors.] As there is little similar training on novel marketing to publishers and agents, I might even also apply some of what I learn here to pitching the novelization of this story.
4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?
The most noticeable things that make me different are:
a) I want my life to have a positive effect on the world and its future. I've done a few things, but I do not feel it is enough. This is reflected in my FICTION WRITING.
b) I am very technical, especially on Physics and computer-driven working environments. This helped me be very successful as a professional Technical Writer. But I am also very very big on the ARTS! I used to play guitar and piano (rusty now), still singe well, and I even painted in high school.
c) I am religious but in a technical way. I believe we are spiritual, have lived for eons as such, and will continue, but NOT because of any mystical belief or any traditional religious belief. I saw a Scientists proof we are such, and from that I believed.
d) I love being around people, and communicating freely on ALL subjects. But I have zero tolerance for those who suppress others, hurt others, push people around just to feel strong, etc.
e) I absolutely LOVE diversity, and have only ONE prejudice – EVIL people.

Other than all that, I'm just your average Joe.
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• This reply was modified 1 week, 4 days ago by  Bill Young Jr..