[Edna]

Edna Hamarstag. Projects and Insights
I have signed the Confidentiality Agreement and Intro myself.
The two projects I will bring to this class are:
Buried In A Red Dress, a contained feature. Five speaking parks and one main location. I expect it could be done for $1M. Unknown actors are often best for horror. This script is almost finished. I think it could be scarier.

Beating Hearts. Shapeshifter, murderer. Could be done for $3-5M. Sketched out and could be finished.

What I learned from the Opening Video: 80% of producers are available to me. I must increase my Credibility. I will concentrate on Horror and become a specialist.
One important aspect of Film Industry is to get along. Producers want to hire a writer they know can do a great job – can get it done. The Contained low budget is less risky, so an opportunity for a new writer.

BURIED IN A RED DRESS is the key to my credibility. If this inexpensive film can be a hit, it will launch my career. “This is possible for me.”

[Edna]

Edna Hamarstag Credibility is Going UP!
What I learned doing this class: That I am in charge of my credibility. I cannot stay home and write; I have to get out there, even if only online. I have a long way to go in terms of being up to date with the industry. But my writing sample is good and will be my gateway.

CREDIBILITY CHECKLIST
1. Your Writing Sample: My writing sample – contained feature – is my strongest Credibility.
‘Recommend’ from Coverage: Not yet, but could.
Delivers on the genre in a strong way: Yes. All Horror conventions.
Delivers on the business decisions: Yes. Title, concept / pitch. Contained (90pp).
2. Screenwriting Accomplishments
Contest wins: No.
Smaller deals (options, sales, writing assignments) not yet
Larger deals
Movies produced – My goal.
3. The Google factor: Not yet but could Blog on Horror movies.
Google your name. How many items on the first page show you as a professional screenwriter? No.
Buzz posts, interviews, news reports, etc.. no
4. Your Network: Weak.
How many producers are in your network? 112 but growing. I also have a file on IBDbPro with 213 producers who have contact information.
How many Connections do you have who are connected to producers? 136 Friends on Facebook who have movie industry connections.
So, not a lot in terms of numbers, but the quality is there.
5. Education specific to screenwriting
Degree in film or screenwriting
Master Screenwriter Certificate program at ScreenwritingU – many SU classes, read all the great books, attend lectures etc.
Some crew positions on local projects.
6. Borrowed Credibility: no
Represented by an agent or manager
Working with a producer: My goal.
Connected to a star
Connected to a funding source
7. IMDB CREDITS: no
Go to [url=”http://imdb.com/”]http://IMDB.com[/url] and search your name. What credits show up there for you?
8. Other forms of credibility that is related to screenwriting:
Some subject matter expertise: Working 30 years as health coach, I have insights into how some families work – not nice.
Novels published -no
Producer or director experience: not yet
Experience working with agencies, production companies, film festivals, etc… Not yet.

My Plan to increase my credibility: 1. Shift all my IBDb files to LinkedIn. Greatly expand my LinkedIn network. 2. Continue learning. SU classes – now Writing Assignments then 30 day Screenplay. Facebook interviews with filmmakers. 3. Search IMDbPro for horror producers – add to LinkedIn. 4. Continue to read: My screenwriting is the best it can be. Currently reading Seth Sherwood’s book – Scary Movie Writer’s Guide. 5. Make a routine to keep up with the trades.

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• This reply was modified 1 day, 19 hours ago by  Edna. Reason: I had posted Lesson 3 Forums in this spot. This is for Lesson 2

[Edna]

Hello Everyone. My name is Edna Hamarstag. I have taken many classes with Hal and look forward to Writing Assignments. I have writen several screenplays and a pilot & bible (BWTV). My current favorite genre is Horror because is does well with very low budgets, has a ready audience, and is tolerant of new writers. The more I work with Horror the more I see that it underlies all good stories: Live and Death, Supernatural, what’s really important.
What I learned from the opening audio: This is possible for me! I can do this. My credibility is low but I will continue to increase my network thru LI, my writing abilities, my knowledge of cinema. I am a ‘subject matter expertise’ in human families – a great source of horror!

[Edna]

I, Edna Hamarstag, agree to the GROUP RELEASE FORM
As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

[Edna]

Hi Everyone. This is Edna Hamarstag. I’ve taken several of Hal’s classes. I’ve written three features, one worth reading, and a TV pilot. I plan to focus now on Horror genre. Actually, all good stories have a horror element.
I think I am supposed to be in Paid Writing Assignments now but sound like some of you are in WIM.
Well, if we don’t stay together here in this forum, please keep in touch. My email is <edna.hamarstag@gmail.com> and I’m on LI.

[Edna]

Edna Hamarstag
I agree to the terms of the release form