StoryLink > Articles > eZines > April 2009
StoryLink eZine - April 2009
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The producer behind the revelatory documentary FUEL, Greg answers questions posed by the StoryLink community. In keeping with the Green Theme, StoryLink suggests ways to make your writing more environmentally conscious. Join in on the discussion in the StoryLink Forum. Our "Ask A Screenwriter" series continues in May with Peter Elkoff, writer/producer of The Education of Charlie Banks and ABC's Ugly Betty. Ever wonder what it's like to work in both film and television? Don't miss your chance to ask all about it! The Soloist opens on April 24, and StoryLink is thrilled to have screenwriter Susannah Grant share her thoughts on adapting this true story for the screen. Also in this issue, expert and author Karl Iglesias answers a question about differentiating character dialogue. Plus, Thia Montroy, who leads Basics & Beyond: Writing the Action Film at The Writers Store, offers her expertise on writing for the genre. Save the Date: StoryLink All-Stars Live at The Great American PitchFest is on June 13, and offers FREE courses for members of the StoryLink community. You can find full information on this exciting event and other classes and contests in this jam-packed eZine. Keep your dream alive! Keep writing! Debra Eckerling |
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In honor of Earth Day, environmental advocate Greg Reitman, producer of the documentary FUEL, answers questions from the StoryLink Community. FUEL, the 2008 winner for Best Documentary at Sundance, is a revelatory film that explores America's addiction to oil. It is based on Josh Tickell's bestselling book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank. Reitman was recently named one of "10 Moviemakers Making a Difference" in MovieMaker magazine. Below are Greg's answers to StoryLink reader questions. Those whose questions were chosen won a one-year subscription to MovieMaker Magazine. Read the article ... |
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Great news for TV fans! In the May StoryLink eZine, writer/producer Peter Elkoff will answer questions from the StoryLink Community. Elkoff has worked in both film and television in Los Angeles for the past 15 years. His film, The Education of Charlie Banks, was released last month. Elkoff also serves as a writer/producer on the staff of ABC's Ugly Betty. Additional TV credits include Dirty Sexy Money and Six Degrees. He has also created shows and written pilots for both Fox Broadcasting and HBO. Among Elkoff's upcoming film projects is the junkie love story A Life Without Grace. Submit a question for Peter in the StoryLink Forum by April 28, and if your question is chosen, receive a The Dialogue: Learning from the Masters DVD (Winner's Choice) from The Writers Store. Post your question today! |
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Screenwriter Susannah Grant is best known for her Oscar®-nominated screenplay Erin Brockovich. In her latest project, The Soloist, opening April 24, she takes on another true story. Based on the book by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, The Soloist tells of his encounter and subsequent friendship with homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers. Dreamworks had optioned the book and bought the rights to it, and sent it to Grant in hopes she would get on board. Grant didn't hesitate. "I lay in bed one morning reading it," Grant recalls. "I put it down, and I had no idea what the movie was, but I knew I had to tell it. It wasn't a conscious working out of it. It was purely visceral. There were issues and a relationship that were so moving ... I jumped at it. "There are a lot of [projects] I like and think I might want to write. This is something I absolutely had to write," she explains. "I was really drawn to telling this story." Grant continues. "It's a love story. It's not a romantic love, but it's as true a love as you will find between human beings: people who are brought out of their own lives and into a life that's richer and fuller and more compassionate for having known each other." Grant shares her experience and her expertise with the StoryLink Community. Continue reading ... |
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Karl Iglesias, a screenwriter and sought-after script doctor and consultant specializing in the reader's emotional response to the written page, offers techniques for differentiating characters through their dialogue. Iglesias is the best-selling author of Writing For Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End and The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters. He teaches at the prestigious UCLA Extension's Writer's Program and online at WritersUniversity.com, among others. Read the article ... |
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Thia Montroy is an independent screenwriting, pitching, and producing consultant. She has worked with the credited writers of Ironman, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Cooler, License to Wed, Weeds, and many others. She is teaching Basics and Beyond: Writing for the Action Genre at The Writers Store on April 11. Montroy offers a sneak peek into her class, and her expertise on writing for the action genre. Read the article ... |
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StoryLink is proud to once again present our acclaimed (and 100% FREE) event, StoryLink All-Stars Live at The Great American PitchFest, June 13th and 14th, at the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Burbank, CA. These classes, conceived in partnership with The Great American PitchFest, who shares our mission of helping screenwriters advance their craft and their careers, are presented in the interest of developing strong writers and to further the screenwriting craft. On Saturday, June 13, take FREE classes with: - Pilar Alessandra, On the Page - Michael Hauge, Author, Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds - Dara Marks, Author, Inside Story - Ellen Sandler, Emmy Nominee & Co-Exec Producer, Everybody Loves Raymond - Blake Snyder, Screenwriter & Author, Save The Cat and Save The Cat Goes To The Movies - Chris Soth, Million Dollar Screenwriting & Hollywood By Phone - Kathie Fong Yoneda, Former Disney Exec & Author, The Script Selling Game - Julie Gray, The Script Department - And many more! To register for a free class, please visit the StoryLink All-Stars Event Page. Please note that all classes are available on a "first come, first seated" basis and tend to fill up quickly. However, participants who have also registered for The Great American PitchFest are guaranteed seating in all classes. For more information and to register for The Great American PitchFest, please click here. See you there! |
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Basics & Beyond: Writing for the Action Genre Conducted by: Thia Montroy When: April 11th - 11:00am-1:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: $49.95 ($44.95 until 4/10) Basics & Beyond: Screenwriting presented by Writers University Conducted by: Mario Moreno When: April 11th - 2:00pm-4:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: $49.95 The Write Environment: Interview with David Hayter Conducted by: Jeffrey Berman When: April 25th - 11:00am-12:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: Free |
Basics & Beyond: FrameForge 3D Studio 2 Training Conducted by: Jeff Stoltzfus When: April 25th - 2:00pm-4:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: $39.95 The Great American PitchFest 6 Conducted by: Signe Olynyk When: June 13th & June 14th Location: Marriott Burbank Hotel/Convention Center Cost: See Website StoryLink All-Stars Day at the Great American PitchFest 6 Conducted by: StoryLink When: June 13th - 9:00am-6:00pm Location: Marriott Burbank Hotel/Convention Center Cost: FREE for StoryLink Members |
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Earth Day is April 22. Celebrate by being more environmentally conscious in your writing. Here are some tips gathered by StoryLink: 1. Minimize paper usage: only print hard copies when absolutely necessary. When you must print, set your preferences to "draft" mode - you will use less ink. Also, use recycled paper, and print on both sides of the page. Or just write for online media and save the printing altogether. 2. To that end, write digitally as much as possible. Transport documents via email and through flash drives. If you are looking to replace your computer, do research and look for the most energy-efficient option. 3. Recycle printer cartridges, batteries, and computer equipment. Old computer equipment can be taken to a recycle center. Plus, there are organizations that re-build computers for people in need. It's easy being Green. Post your favorite tips in the StoryLink Forum. |
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Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition Deadline April 15th, 2009 The 2009 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Deadline May 1st, 2009 Austin Film Festival Screenplay and Teleplay Competition Deadline May 15th, 2009 |
The 16th Annual Writers Network Screenplay & Fiction Competition Deadline June 15th, 2009 StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest Deadline June 15th, 2009 Big Break Contest Deadline June 15th, 2009 |