Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Josh Gloer]

Hello! I’m Josh Gloer.

2) I’ve written 6 scripts (more or less – “finished” is a day by day assessment for me haha)

3)After 15 years in LA, I’m back in Kansas City. I’ve lost a lot of connections in the 8 years since my move. I don’t want geography to be an obstacle, so I want to learn techniques to still get read.

4) I practice Krav Maga.

[Frances Emerson]

Hello. My name is Frances Emerson. I’m not sure if I’m related to Ralph Waldo Emerson, we haven’t done a real DNA match yet. But my grandpa Charlie sure did look like him (except for his bald head) and I swear in my younger days’ photo I look just like his picture I found on the internet, a picture that was painted of him when he was 17 years old. So, I guess I can say in that respect, I am.

I live here in the Finger Lakes section of New York State (wine country!) on the northern tip of Seneca Lake. About 20 minutes away from my house is Seneca Falls, NY. The birthplace of the Women’s Rights movement. And then further down the road east toward Syracuse, is Auburn, NY where William Seward and Harriet Tubman made their homes. The movie Harriet shows it in its final scenes. I think the interior of the now museum. AND Barack Obama once visited this area and worked out in one of the Auburn City public athletic centers. And where Wells Fargo, the stagecoach business, began—to name one of the many businesses started there.

We’ve had movie stars come and go in this area. John Wayne for one. Paul Newnan, for two, when he raced. I have one of his Budweiser caps. Frank Capra was inspired to write It’s a Wonderful life by the main bridge in Seneca Falls. Geneva is the hometown to Lauren Holly, and Romulus, NY, down the road, is home to Christopher McDonald, who I had school lunch with many years ago when he and his brother Danny came home for a visit. I could go on.

I am a New York certified public school teacher. I’m certified in Social Studies and Mathematics 7 thru 12. But I mostly sub and have subbed for many years. And I’ve waited on tables for many years. I am also a published writer. I’ve had several articles published in local newspapers and newsletters and two magazines. One article, I’m very proud of, I interviewed Nick Sagan, Dr. Carl Sagan’s son. The other was done just a couple of years ago which took center stage in the magazine about our Finger Lakes Community College students who are learning to make wine and run vineyards and wineries. I could write another Sideways with what I have learned from doing that article! That was one of my proudest moments as a writer.

But this is not why I want to write for movies. I’ve loved movies and TV shows ever since I can remember. And I have almost always wanted to write, especially for them. I’ve had many ideas over the years. And I have tried. And as Hal said in his opening teleconference, I have gotten some very bad feedback, which I won’t go into with you. But I just want you to know. Hal’s right. Put it all aside, because what they told you isn’t relevant. And what you wrote and have written isn’t garbage. You JUST NEED the write teacher and the right course. And honestly, forget writing groups—for now, too. I can tell you openly and honestly from being a teacher and having experienced some REALLY BAD writing instructors and writing groups in my day. LET THEM ALL GO!

I already have one foot in the door! And I hope to get that door opened up even wider with thi class. I have several scripts written now or in progress. Right now I’m working on a three parter that is almost done. On part three. And I have a couple of people who really love it!

I want to do more. I think I’ve already told you enough that is unique about me. So, Here we go!

Let’s get a movie in the can!

[David Harper]

1. Name? David Harper

2. How many scripts you’ve written? Seven features, several stage plays, one television pilot, and enough short films and web series that I should know better.

3. What you hope to get out of the class? I feel like I’m a good enough writer that I could either sell one of my scripts as a spec or I could win some writing assignments. So really I’m looking for ways to build my network a tier or two above my current tier in a way that is professional and on brand.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I don’t know if it’s unique, special, strange, or unusual, but I’m an avid sailor and I skipper for a sailing school here at the marina.

[Michael O’Keefe]

1. Name? Michael O’Keefe

2. How many scripts you’ve written? two television pilots, ten movie scripts

3. What you hope to get out of the class? A thorough understanding of how to market my work to agents and producers.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I love to write and thankfully require only 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night. It is a quirk I inherited from my mother who never slept more than 4 or 5 hours a night ever.

[julie Beckett]

Hi Everyone! Getting a late start but excited to be here.

Julie

2. How many scripts you’ve written? 2

3. What you hope to get out of the class? More clarity on my target market and a rough draft of a query letter.

4. Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you? I love water but am living in landlocked CO.

[Dawn C Crouch]

Hi! I’m Dawn Crouch. I’ve written 10 scripts and optioned 2. I’d like to learn how to approach and succeed in getting my work out there. I danced with Houston Ballet and now write a series of nonfiction instructional booklets – Garage Ballet!