Introduce Yourself to the Group

[Marilynne Hebert]

Hi,

We’ve recently installed a murphy bed in my home office for visiting family (a whole screenplay in itself). I had to clean out about a 1/3 of my “very precious” stuff in there, and discovered over 10 years I’d written 6-7 screenplays and a couple of stage plays along the way. 1 screenplay was optioned and 1 stage play was selected for a public reading.

Have been working on an idea for a number of years and never get to finishing it. What I hope to get out of the class is to finally cross that finish line.

I’ve been an academic writer for many years and fiction writing requires some re-arranging of the neurons to tell the stories in my head.

I look forward to meeting you and sharing/gaining insights to help make all of our work better!

Marilynne

[Shahrukh Shackle]

Hello Cheryl,

I’m a long-time Screenwriting U member. Over the years I’ve written 13 commissioned screenplays, including a rewrite for Buena Vista and one of Merchant Ivory Productions. The last got produced and got nominated for a BAFTA in the early 90s. I created a tv series, Beecham House which was broadcast by ITV (UK) and shown on Masterpiece (US) as well as being widely streamed world-wide. Sadly, the director chose to change things substantially as the filming progressed and a second season wasn’t commissioned because it was different from the original document I’d written. Such is life. I’ve created another show but they take such a long time to get going, so I decided to return to screenplays.

I wrote a horror script set in London, in September-October in 8 weeks on a screenwriting lab. It’s had some interest. For this project I intend to write a story set in ancient India – gods, princes and magical creatures not familiar to the western world. My main passion is mythology – I’ve written 23 books for kids and adults around that subject. I’m excited to be writing my first mythological quest movie which I hope will appeal to all ages.

Delighted to read about this course and eager to meet, greet and exchange views.

Shah

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Shahrukh Shackle.

[Aina Jarvine]

Hi! I am Aina, a director of animated movies and TV joining you from Estonia.

I have written about dozen short and five or so feature scripts – developed far more of them :-). One feature animation script I co-wrote was produced and released back in 2020, and few shorts I directed myself.

I come with a new idea I’d like to direct-produce to this class. It’s a Christmas animation feature set in the world of mythical characters and how they get on in our modern-day world.

Strange or unusual about me: I have had hot pink hair for about a decade by now 🙂

Looking forward to this journey with all of you – like Shah I’m a long-time ScreenwritingU member :-).

Aina

[Chris Spizuoco]

Hi all – I’ve written 3 scripts, and hope to have fun (and learn/teach/learn) writing my 4th. The unique thing about me is I’ll be Hal’s first student to win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay…Ha! We’ve all got to dream…

[Douglas Booth]

Hi!

I’m Doug Booth – a long time animation screenwriter. I’ve written hundreds of produced TV animation scripts and about 5 commissioned animated features – one, finally, just about produced (I’ll end up with a “story by” credit) – another where I got a “co-writer” credit – and another that I am hoping to get into production in the next year or two.

I’ve written a number of live action features on spec. A couple of options but nothing in production yet. The one I will be working on through this class is taping into my “other job” – as a licensed real estate agent in NYC – so, naturally, it’s a mystery/thriller!

I’m looking forward to moving this one along as far as I can over the next 30 days – and learning from all of you, as well!

Onward!

Doug

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by  Douglas Booth.

[KiKi]

First time for everything. I’ve been a writer for years (an investigator/reporter/freelance writer), and this particular project has been a long time goal. I sincerely appreciate the 30 day timeline to keep me focused. I also purchased Final Draft for my laptop … whoo honey ! Let’s do this ! KiKi

[David Bruno]

Greetings!

My name is David Bruno

How many scripts you’ve written?

My screenwriting background is somewhat checkered with mostly attempts to bring about a sense of feasibility for the concept and marketability of my ideas. I’ve written at least 10 screenplays and completed 2 to first draft.

What you hope to get out of the class?

To get the the core fundamentals of writing a film script… quickly.

Something unique, special, strange or unusual about you?

Sole male survivor among my siblings.

[Wayne Reid]

Hello Cheryl,

I’m sitting in your future. 21 hours into your future, to be exact. It’s kind of odd to think of time zones in that sense. New Zealand is a long way from anywhere. That means we travel vast distances. I travel to L.A., gaining that time back.

I have written one screenplay plus short stories, a novel in progress. Screenwriting has been a passion for too long. I have been working on a second that I know will work and now need to complete; I am looking forward to this course.

It is also the opportunity to communicate with like-minded people.

Something unique about me?

Me. And other things…

Looking forward to this

Wayne

[Andy Flennnoy]

Hello, my name is Andy Flennoy. I live in California.

I’ve written only one script some years ago that was considered but never produced. In the intervening years was a professional musician and a computer information analyst. I’m now retired and eager to begin writing again.

I hope to learn what the promises: to write screenplays faster and to create characters that go on interesting journeys that end in change.

I can’t think of any unique, special, or unusual characteristics I possess other than I tend to have a laser-sharp focus on whatever I attempt to achieve.

I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in this class and interacting with fellow classmates.

[Michelle]

Hello, Cheryl and fellow classmates,

Michelle here, from Berkeley. I’m new to the industry and have written two scripts. The second, a thriller, was inspired and written during a three-month stay in Tallinn, Estonia (Hello, Aina!).

I hope to start and finish a horror script in the next 30 days.

What’s strange, unique, or unusual about me? After four patents and a long career in high-tech, I up and quit in January to focus on my passion. Writing.

[Aina Jarvine]

Hi Cheryl,

I hope you enjoyed Tallinn 🙂 And yayy for going for writing :-)!!!!!

Aina

[Kristina Day]

Hi I’m Kristina from London, England. I’m a spiritual coach, traveller, and entrepreneur.

I wanted to be a screenwriter back in 2012 and took loads of courses, mentorships etc for about 4 years. I wrote several scripts and plays, won a few competitions etc but nevertheless got a bit disillusioned with the industry and stopped writing in 2016.

I’m now coming back with a more realistic attitude. The passion for writing has never left.

I’ve always felt I have one more script idea that I’m really being called to get down – so here I am!

Something unusual about me? I’ve lived in Bali for the last three years, a real spiritual power place and beautiful as paradise 🙂 🌴🏝

[Tully Archer]

Hi all,

1. my name is Tully Archer.

2. I’ve written three features and maybe six shorts.

3. I hope to gain the ability to write a screenplay in 30 days ANY time, with or without the structure and deadlines of an external thing (a class).

4. I’m training for my first ever marathon in setember ’23. weighed 304 not too long ago so it’s a big deal. 🙂

[Pam Ewing]

Hi I’m Pam.

I’ve written many sitcoms (specs and pilots) and a few screenplays. I have many new concepts bubbling up and being washed away with my own apathy/fear. This waste of creative product is the most wasteful thing I do. My plan it to use this class to embrace completion. The empowerment attempts are difficult. I like some of the signoff’s like Doug’s “onward”. I’m going to get me one of those!

Testing/Liftoff

pam

[michelle patnett]

Hi all, I have written 0 screenplays so far, but that number will change in 30 days! I have completed 2 novels (unpublished as yet), but I’ve always been a little intimidated by the screenplay format. I’m hoping to overcome my fear of sluglines and parentheticals.

I’m looking forward to learning with y’all!