Introduce yourself to the group.

[Serita Stevens]

An award-winning writer of numerous books, and optioned scripts/adaptations, I am also a forensic nurse and help others with their medical, forensic, and poison questions. I have a forensic nurse series that has been optioned several times – but the showrunners chosen did not have me go in with them and did not understand what we as forensic nurses do so couldn’t wow the execs. So I keep on pitching.

[Brendan Guerin]

Hello everyone

I’m Brendan Guerin, an independent producer in Melbourne with a background in short dramas and docos. I’ve never written a feature screenplay but have pitched a few thrillers at film markets to keen interest. Through this course, I hope to better understand the art and process of genre writing, particularly in team environ, and become a more effective collaborator/contributor in the story development and writing process. Weird fact? Maybe that I’m a farmer turned film producer.

[Joanna Bielak]

Hi,

Joanna Bielak, I’m a novel writer (5 crime books) and sometimes script writer – my script received a national award.
I’d like to learn the thriller concept and structure because that is the most complicated (by far) genre for me.

greetings from Warsaw

[John Duvall]

John Allen Duvall here. I’ve written five feature screenplays, one miniseries pilot, and one continuing series pilot, with a few feature ideas still in the development stage. Three of my features have thriller aspects – one is political, one psychological, and one comic – so I hope to get some good ideas in this class for all of them. I’m a USC Cinema grad, but I taught film production and writing for 23 years in universities until I retired to write full-time in 2020.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  John Duvall.

[John Arends]

Hi Everyone –

I’m John Arends, and I’ve written more than a dozen scripts. I focus on writing and/or adapting true stories, mostly biopics. I’m taking this class to better understand the conventions and execution dependent aspects of the Thriller genre. And I’m a big fan of powder milk biscuits.

[Norene Smiley]

Hello everyone. My name is Norene Smiley and I live in the small village of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada, world renowned for peace resolution conferences. I have a background in children’s literature and have written three picture books, poetry and a middle grade novel. I am also a visual artist and have written and produced a number of short films, and one feature length. I signed up for the Mastering the Thriller to help me strengthen the plot of a fantasy/sci fi novel I am in the middle of. I think incredibly nasty villains make a story much more fun to write.

[Tina Howe]

I go by Tina Field Howe. Before I started screenwriting I wrote two sci-fi novels in a series and a children’s picture book. I’ve written 9 scripts that I would show to anyone and a couple of pilots, although features are my strength. I currently have a proof-of-concept in pre-production and am developing the feature with the producers alongside it. I hope the POC will shoot this spring/summer. I write in various genres such as thriller, sci-fi, comedy, romance, bio-pic and wrote an animated script for a producer. I think I’ve taken about every Screenwriting U course and have been to a few member events in LA which were a blast. Although I’ve written a couple of thrillers, my skills can always get stronger which is why I’m here. Something strange: I live in a haunted house. When I first moved it, things were in an uproar but we live together peacefully now.

[David Wickenden]

Hello everyone,

My name is David Wickenden. I am a Canadian author and have published six novels. Five thrillers and one YA Fantasy. I have adapted five of my stories into feature scripts. I am a lifelong learner and can’t wait to dive into this process. I hope to elevate my craft.

I am a former professional firefighter and retired as Deputy Fire Chief after 31 years on the job. I used to save people in my past profession. Now, as an author, I kill them. LOL.

Look forward to working with you all.

David

[Maggie Tsavaris]

Hello all,

I’m Maggie Tsavaris and I’m currently a lawyer and law professor. Scripts: I’ve written a tv pilot (thriller–human trafficking at sea), which I later wrote as a feature, and I wrote an action thriller feature about an evil ship’s doctor. I started a supernatural thriller feature many moons ago and haven’t yet finished it. In this class, I’m hoping to learn how to write a tightly constructed, engrossing thriller. Fun fact: I drove cruise ships and megayachts all over the globe for 12 years. Oh, and I have a Kevin Bacon number of one! LOL.

[Kimbal Thompson]

Aloha all, I’m Kimbal Thompson in Hawaii. 3 Scripts and 2 TV specs & expecting to get a Great Thriller out of this. Otherwise, an architect, sailor and canoe paddler & lucky to live Hawaii!

[Edith Schmidt]

Hi, everyone! Seems I cannot keep up with you for I have written only two scripts so far. Nevertheless I always wanted to write screenplays and now want to learn the craft of Thriller writing at the best school for learning screenwriting. How to form a plot with twists that keep the viewer hooked until the very end.
I am German, living in Germany, used to be a bank clerk but turned to learning Naturopathy and helping many people of solving the cause of their illnesses. Through my patients I learned so many different life stories and how they follow certain rules, so now I want to use this for my stories to create appropriate characters.

[Mariannjely Garcia]

Hi! My name is Mariannjely, originally from Venezuela but in the USA for the past 10 years. I’ve been writing for a couple of years now and I’ve completed 4 scripts, the first one being a thriller that was optioned and produced last year. I enjoy this genre very much and I am looking to improve my process when creating more of these.

Also, I have 4 dogs 🙂

[Donna Stockwell]

Hi everyone! I’m Donna Stockwell and have written a couple of features and TV episodics.

I’m also currently taking the 30-day script writing course, since I’ve taken to challenge myself to writing 12 scripts this year… and I realized I have some ideas for a psychological thriller, but definitely need a boost to give my movie a boost in the “write” direction!

Something unique about myself, is that I am a pilot, and just learned that the pilots flying over the superbowl were all female… so, juices are flowing to write a story about that.

[Jason ferrell]

Jason – four features and several short shorts.

Hope to get a through understanding of the thriller structure and get one or more saleable script idea(s).

My girlfriend says I’m impossible and don’t listen to anyone. I said, “What Lorraine? What?” (In my best George McFly impersonation.) There was also some offhand comment about my elevator speech not being long enough to get from the parking level to the lobby. She also said that she’s “Super supportive.” I like to write action, sci-fi and rom-coms – frequently with female leads. I like avocados, reading, and on warm days long walks off of short piers.

[Rachel Morgan]

Hi, my name is Rachel Morgan. I’m a former journalist and political staffer in Winnipeg, Canada. These days, I hike, canoe, ski and snowshoe – when I’m not watching hockey. Not much of a cliché, eh? I’ve written three spec crime thrillers and have had some success in the contests at the finalist level. It’s time to up my game. I want to see my characters and stories given life on the big screen. All the best to all of you.

[Michael Katz]

Nice to meet everyone. The main thing for me…I want to finally sell a script! Yes, I want the money, but I also want the experience of seeing something I wrote made into a movie. So I guess I am approaching this class thinking pure commercial viability. I believe giving and receiving feedback is part of this process, so please be straightforward with me. I hope we all become a great resource for each other! Happy writing)))

[Ken Callaway]

1. Hi team, my name is Ken Callaway. My wife and I live on a small ranch east of San Diego near the Mexican border.

2. I’ve written five feature scripts and two shorts, to date.

3. What I’d like to gain from this class is the ability to confidently craft a thriller that will grip the reader, producer, actors and audience.

4. Weird fact – My dad was a cowboy and I didn’t meet him until I was 21. After years in the military and many positions in various manufacturing industries I became a cowboy too (ranch director actually).

[Jean-Claude Lauzon]

Hello everyone, my name is Jean-Claude Lauzon, I’m french-canadian and I live near Montreal. I’ve been 25 years on television, as a humorist, a comedian and a tv-host. I now teach English and French to immigrants. I’m 68, have more free time than when in the medias and I’ve been wanting to do this for years. I have this script in my drawer -based on a true story- that I intend to finish with the help of this training. My objective with this new adventure is to learn a new craft and tell my story with style!

[Lenore]

Lenore Bechtel. I am a multiple-produced playwright and published novelist hoping to become a produced screenwriter. I have written three rom coms which I hope this class will help me upgrade to a salable stage. But my major reason for taking this class is because I think I have a super idea for a thriller, but I haven’t the faintest notion about how to write one.

I am an Edgar Cayce ambassador who has introduced hundreds to the renowned psychic with two books on his readings and eight years of classes on his insights into both creation and reincarnation.

Something strange and unusual about me is that I will never be able to pitch because I cannot hear well on the telephone. I’ll need to write better queries than the dozens I’ve sent that received no answers.

[Caroline Fritz]

Hi everyone!

My name is Caroline and I have written 8 or 9 scripts, I can’t remember!

I am currently writing two thrillers and I really need guidance to make sure I am hitting all the marks, genre-wise.

I am one of 9 children.

[Beverley Anne Foster]

Hi, everyone! I am delighted to be part of this group even though my input maybe sporadic due to a few on going commitments. Three years ago my feature film HEART TRAP was about to be pitched by a producer then COVID struck and Melbourne’s continuing lock downs happened and just like that HEART TRAP went down the plug hole. Needless to say this was devastating for all concerned.

During the first lock down I discovered Hal Croasmun and ScreenwritingU and did the Binge Worthy workshops which I found amazing. I am looking forward the Thriller workshop as I hope to develop an idea I have put on the back burner for a number of years.

As a playwright, director, acting coach and relationship and sexuality consultant I believe film and theater are wonderful tools to assist audiences gain insightful knowledge while being entertained.

[Christopher Lynch]

My name is Chris Lynch. I currently live in Southern California. I’ve written two feature scripts and five small-screen limited series scripts.

I was a previously a US Foreign Service Officer (US diplomat) and I was stationed in Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Spain and Germany. My last post was as US Consul General in Hamburg, Germany. I also had a stint in the White House and dealt with sensitive intelligence issues throughout my career. My scripts are works of fiction, but I add details that bring authenticity to the story.

I think that I have great content and timing for my scripts, but I need to add the edginess of the spy thriller to my work (especially for the TV series that I am working on).