Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Sherwen Moore]

Hey everyone, my name is Sherwen Moore. I have only written 4 scripts. So I have limited experience and hope to gain a lot out of this class. This project I am currently working on is so special to me that I believe I need help from Hal and company. I get a lot of information when there are free sessions so I believe this will truly be great for me. Something unique, strange or unusual about me: I am a musician (sax)/producer (example: I produced 3 gospel/polish concerts in Chicago) who has retired from high school Sports Administration and classroom facilitation for social emotional learning.

[David Bruno]

I’m David Bruno. I’ve written multiple screenplays and working now on what I feel is my best concept in the Science Fiction genre. I hope to gain the ‘how to’ from this class to make, what is a profound idea, into a working script. FYI, the log line:

“An
Evolutionary Biologist obsessed with finding the origins of Modern
Man comes to discover that the human species, Homo Sapiens, were
exiled to earth by aliens as the population of a penal colony.”

Needs work and that’s what I here for.

What is unique about me is that I’ve lived on a sailboat here in S. California since 2011.

[Patrick Malone]

Hello everyone on this course, I am Patrick Malone. I’ve written 2 screenplays, 2 TV pilots, a short drama and some documentaries. I have also been a film editor for many years. I am taking the Profound course to help give my scripts a deeper level of meaning. I have a basic concept for a horror/ sci-fi that I’ll be working with for the course. I hope to apply what I learn to all my scripts.

I’ve taken several ScreenwritingU courses, all very good and helpful. Currently I am marketing one of my screenplays.

Something unusual: I was once riding my motorcycle in London, England and was pulled over my MI5. The day before, the IRA had detonated bombs on motorcycles. My bike had Irish plates.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Patrick Malone.

[Kristie Zinberg]

Hi All! My name is Kristie Zinberg and living in NYC! I have written 4 1st draft screenplays and never taken them to completion. OMG! You might say I didn’t believe in myself back then. I am determined to complete this story to the nth draft. It is in my cards, in my heart, itching to be told. Prior to taking the masterclass, a hawk landed on my balcony. It was an extraordinarily clear message to me. This is my time to shine without distraction or stresses, pulling me away from what I desire to create. What I think is unique about myself and very grateful to be blessed with is I live in joy and find happiness in even the smallest of things. A long time ago, people used to ask me why I smile all the time? I thought that was an odd question. Now I know this is just my nature!

[Janet Marriott]

Hi. My name is Janet Mackie Marriott (Mackie is my pen name). I have written 3 scripts in a Stone Killer trilogy. I had “brain fog” for a time after covid and it scared me. But I decided to just keep on keeping on and wrote the 3rd script (The Wind Up!) and enjoyed it.

I want to keep going and get better at writing. While researching and planning a short doc, I came across an idea for this next script. I hope this class will help me develop that script.

[karl gromelski]

Hi all —

I’m karl gromelski – who lives in N’awlins, USA.

I’ve been writing scripts – on & off – for longer than I care to remember. Just last year, I wrote 2 full screenplays. I work as a copywriter – so whenever I get frustrated with clients re-writing my copy – I turn to writing screenplays.

I’ve taken classes before and currently participate in discussing & trading scripts with other (amateur) writers. One blog I get a lot out of – that I highly recommend if you don’t know – is Carson’s ScriptShadow blog… although I prefer his old posts to his newer ones.

Funny story – as I was outlining my latest script – I seeking how to make it resonate with audiences in a way that I think today’s Netflix movie of the week seems to lack. So I was diving deep into the grey areas that the protagonists and antagonists share… and was even mapping out the gradients of change when I stumbled upon Hal’s talk which mirrored how I was approaching this script! Fate? Destiny? Or just a mere coincidence?

So, since Hal has already figured out a way at looking at story that I was exploring, I signed up hoping that his insights could take my intuitive thinking to a whole new level.

Something unique about me? I dunno. When I lived in LA (Santa Monica, actually) – my wife and I took a trip all the way down to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on a 250 Enduro! So, I guess you can say that when I put my mind to accomplishing something, I’m pretty tenacious.

Anyway, I hope I’m able to contribute in a positive way to this class and maybe stumble upon the next WGA writer of the year!

[Lisandro Boccacci]

Hi

you can see a full listing of work ive done on my imdb page, if you have minute, you can visit here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3849582

I’ve taken classes in the past, I’ve written on and off for a while, I’ve written lots of things, but I’ve never sold a script. Optioning scripts is the goal.

My goal is to refine my understanding of the craft, as i also refine my business sense too. I am also trying to find committed fellow writers who would like to work on spec scripts with me, and pitch decks, because I plan to attend AFM this year, and every year if possible, with the goal of finding an agent to represent me and my partners, as well as find a sales agent to help negotiate those deals.

I’m currently working as a ghost writer and for a Kiosk ad agency.

I’ve received one on one acting training from one of the actors from that movie, Dead Poets Society, I will leave to who that was up to you imagination. I can also do a monologue from that movie.

I love stories… I love acting. I love creating… I want to go really far in this industry not just in screenwriting, but in acting, and filmmaking in general.

please visit my imdb page for a list of work I’ve done, much appreciated.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3849582

I’m currently finishing the score for my feature film and soon will have a screener for agents. My goal is to get on Hulu or at least Imdb free tv, something like that to get my feet wet out there in the world .

My other goal is to network with someone from this program that has optioned scripts that could act as a mentor and guidance councilor to the writer’s group i am forming.

[Brenda Riolo]

My name is Brenda Riolo – you can find my on LinkedIn under “S Brenda Soriano” – my writing pseudonym. I’ve written 3 screenplays, and have taken a few ScreenwritingU courses. I’ve always wanted to take this course, and I’m happy that the timing worked out for me to finally take it.

The Matrix is on my Top 10 List of favorite movies. I’ve watched the Matrix probably over 20 times (owned the VCR, DVD, and digital versions), and have gotten into deep conversations with random folks about this movie. I want to learn a way to write a story/movie that had the same impact the Matrix movie had on me.

Something unique, special, strange or unusual about me – I had a few sessions with a well-known medical intuitive many years ago when I was battling a critical illness. My friend who had brain cancer found out about this intuitive in her cancer support group. If you want to find a great psychic, get a referral from folks who have faced death – they know the real ones versus the fakes based on whether the intuitive helped them to heal. Back to the story – during the course of our sessions she asked me participate in healing other folks around the world from different ailments which I didn’t have. I was very honored to be asked to participate and help other folks to heal worldwide. It was a profound experience for me.

Looking forward to participating in this course!

[Pat Shelby]

Hi everyone,

Looking forward to the class and working with/meeting you, especially if you live in the L.A. area.

I’ve written 5 scripts and I am working on the 6th one. This is my 6th Screenwriting U class. The other 5 were ProSeries, BingeWorthy, Scene Mastery, Paid Writing Assighments, and the 30-Day Screenplay. I wrote a script during ProSeries. With Hal and Cheryl’s guidance, and with the insightful, constructive feedback from my classmates and profressional readers, received 7 accolades this year and last year after submitting to various contests.

I hope to learn new techniques that will aide me in deepening my stories and help me get my script produced.

Something unique about me is that in college, I interviewed for a full-time position. I interviewd with a technical lead and others. Via a misunderstanding about desired salary, the technical lead recommend I not get the job because my request was above the pay scale. Not only did I get the job, but the lead and I married 2 years later. 😂

[Leanne Lucas]

Hi everyone, my name is Leanne Lucas and I’m writing from a very small town in Illinois. I worked as a writer for the University of Illinois for almost 20 years.

I am currently working on my first screenplay. My first love is writing children’s fiction, but a very good friend had an idea for a screenplay that he brought to me. He and his wife, and my husband and I have been meeting, researching and discussing this topic for over two years. I’ve read at least a dozen books on writing screenplays, but when I came across Hal’s Free-Class-Fridays, I felt I learned more from his discussions than I was reading in the craft books. So I signed up for this class, and I hope to learn how to truly impact the audience we want to reach.

Something unique about me? My very first assignment as a writer in the Dept. of Ag and Bio Engineering at U of I required me to go out in the field and watch a grad student test his computer program on variable rate application of fertilizer. The program worked great, but the manure spreader exploded, and I had to go home and change clothes and buy new shoes!

[Laura Hyler]

Hello Everyone!

I am excited to be here, as a first time student of ScreenwritingU. I have 60 pages of a screenplay that I actually started some time ago, and basically, have started over because I was not thrilled with it.

I have a background in teaching English from middle, high school and junior college levels. I plan to write a novel as well. I have some experience as an actor in Indie Films, and have studied with some acting coaches. I think this helps somewhat with writing screenplays.

I am looking forward to making scripts that are Profound!

Laura Hyler

[Linda Anderson]

Hi Everyone. My name is Linda Anderson. I’ve written 4 screenplays, 4 stage plays, and 12 books.

I’m hoping to translate the extensive research and interviewing I did for the first draft of my profound screenplay into compelling characters, action, plot, and transformational journeys.

My stage plays and books won national writing awards and were produced or published. One book became a New York Times bestseller. I’ve been working a full-time job for six years but am now returning to my true love of writing creatively and sharing what I love with audiences. Very excited about it. Love ScreenwritingU classes.

[Sherri Coffee]

Hi everyone! My name is Sherri Coffee and I am writing from Atlanta, GA. I have completed Screenwriting U Pro Series and Binge Worthy courses. To date, I have written 3 scripts but feel they need some additional efforts.

I am interested in learning the Profound Model skills to improve my writing skills.

My career started in Sales and Marketing but after obtaining a Masters’ in Health Care Administration and Policy, I took a turn into Government Affairs. And after all these years (24 to be exact), I am still fascinated by the process of turning policy ideas into a reality that can improve lives!

Look forward to learning with you.

[jody sowieja]

Hello, my name is Jody Sowieja and I’m new to screenwriting. It’s been a dream of mine my entire adult life, and I’ve started writing 2 screenplays but have always become stuck and not been able to finish them completely. Life, kids, and work have always gotten in the way of focusing completely on my writing. I have so many ideas, and desperately want to get these stories out that will resonate with the viewer and fill them with emotion. My hopes are that this class will help push me to complete my latest screenplay, allowing me to grow and learn from all of the experienced screenwriters in this group.

Something unique about me: My husband tragically passed about 7 weeks ago, and he was the one who always pushed me to try and finish one of my screenplays. I happened to get an email about the free class “Writing Profound Movies”, and felt the call to register. The class spoke to my heart, and I knew it was a sign from him that I needed to sign up for this course and give this everything I have.

I look forward to working and learning from all of you!

[Lisa Sepp-Wilson]

Hi All! My name is Lisa Sepp-Wilson, and I have been writing and rewriting the same screenplay for about 5 years – an adaptation of a well-loved West Coast novel, written by a relatively unknown Canadian heroine. I have begun to write 3 other screenplays but have not had the confidence to push them forward – I seem to have several cool ideas for scripts, but have been too busy in my day job/life to pursue writing as an occupation. In my other life, I am a visual effects producer/on-set supervisor in the film/tv industry, which has afforded me the ability to read thousands of screenplays throughout my career. I have always been a writer as a hobby, but have found myself wanting to just write more and more. I have a great friend who has taken Hal’s courses over the years, and now it’s my turn. Looking forward to this class immensely!

[David Tyson]

Hi all, my name is David Tyson. I have notes for a number of scripts, but am working on my first one now, about 45 pages in. I hope this class helps me tie together my primary message with several swirling subplots, maintaining depth while adding clarity to the story.

I am a documentary filmmaker/videographer/editor. In my earlier years I was a cameraman and editor for CNN overseas, based in Rome. I am now in the process of moving to Spain, and will continue my transition to screenwriter there. My goal is to promote social activism through film, and writing the Profound Screenplay is the first step of the journey.

[Edward Brown]

Hi I’m Edward Brown. I’ve written 5 scripts. Hope to make my script profound enough to introduce concept Go Giving is key to individual, social well being plus planetary survival

I enjoy day dreaming, sailing, dancing and making women smile

[Mike Murphy]

Hi all!

I’ve written a few scripts for movies, but hundreds if not thousands for other stuff, mostly ads, kids shows and the like. I write songs that people say feel like movies. I hope to write movies that flow like songs. Prolly like yourself, I’m a big Screenwriting U fan. Let’s do this.

So…I got stories…I’ve written like a million “jingles” and once you say that, it’s all people think of you as…that guy who writes jingles. Worked with lots of stars and got to write one with Will Smith. That was just as hilarious as you think it would be. Nope, more. But I write more songs and ads and I think of it as great training for rewriting, which is really the gig, right?

[astrid Neal]

Hi

I’m Astrid.

I’ve sold 8 script to the majors here in LA.

I’m hoping to learn ways to build up ‘change’ in a screenplay that I haven’t thought of yet my own damn self.

Looking forward to that.

I very much liked the initial briefing the Hal gave when he was introducing the idea of taking this class.