We just finished up the weekend with film execs, Kevin
Chang of Misher Films and Matt Skiena of Village Roadshow. They were extremely forthcoming and generous
during our extensive interview/Q&A session with yours truly. That was some
turnout – around 50-60 people. We even got to see a new trailer for Speed Racer,
as well as a promo sales reel for Get Smart with Steve Carrell. Pretty hilarious.
On Saturday, they heard 30 pitches, yep, 30,
from our Compendium Members. All the while my dog, Brando, was running around
like a crazy pup. Funny enough, the execs requested his presence at the pitches.
I think he helped calm a lot of people down, too. I hope.
Matt and Kevin felt that our pitches were “a cut above” what they usually get down in LA. Pretty cool.
Finally, I’m happy to report that the execs requested contact info for eleven Guild writers so far. Way to go NWSG!
Lastly, we’re pleased and excited to start promoting our next event, April
11-12 with Catherine Ann Jones. She will be presenting her much-lauded Way
of Story workshop. Did I mention she’s got an NEA Award, Fullbright, and several
others? This one will sell out.
Way of Story may appear as a deceptively simple memoir/manual, but it is not.
Catherine rockets you into the essentials of craft, as well as urging you to
dig deep into yourself and transmit your emotions to the page, and the story.
Few books simultaneously pay equal attention to both the architecture AND the
soul of the story. Finally, I think the book offers gems to both novice
and experienced writers, including advice and a bounty of challenging exercises
to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page. I wish I’d had this book
when I started!
