StoryLink > Articles > eZines > June 2009
StoryLink eZine - June 2009
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This June StoryLink eZine is bursting with blockbuster tips and techniques to help screenwriters who want to write the next big thing, like our featured screenwriters, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the minds behind Star Trek and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In keeping with the theme, expert Chris Soth (Million-Dollar Screenwriting), weighs in on the why and the how of writing high concept films. Plus, Dr. Linda Seger, author of eight books on screenwriting, delves into the subject of adaptation. Next month's eZine will include a Q&A with Simon Kinberg, the prolific screenwriter of Jumper and X-Men: The Last Stand, who is an expert on big concepts and adaptations. Case in point: his upcoming Christmas release - Sherlock Holmes! Don't forget! StoryLink All-Stars Live at The Great American PitchFest is on Saturday, June 13. This fabulous event features FREE courses for members of the StoryLink community. You can find full information on this and other exciting events, services, contests, and more below. Keep your dream alive! Keep writing! Debra Eckerling |
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Screenwriting superstars Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have come a long way since getting their start as writers on Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess. Star Trek and the Transformers sequel - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - are destined to dominate this summer's box office. (They also produced the upcoming Sandra Bullock film, The Proposal.) Kurtzman and Orci know what writing a Blockbuster is all about. With the popular sci-fi series Fringe, which Kurtzman and Orci co-created with J.J. Abrams, just renewed for season two, perhaps the team hasn't strayed too far from their TV roots, after all. Kurtzman and Orci answer questions from the StoryLink Community on their writing partnership and writing for TV and Film, as well as reinventing established franchises for the big screen. Those whose questions were chosen will receive The Dialogue: Learning from the Masters DVD (Winner's Choice) from The Writers Store. Read the article... |
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Simon Kinberg (X-Men: The Last Stand, Jumper), one of the busiest - and most prolific - screenwriters in Hollywood, will be the Featured Screenwriter in our July StoryLink eZine. Kinberg's gift for action, graphic novels, and genre films has been present for years: the original script Mr and Mrs Smith was his final thesis project for Columbia University's Film School. While still in film school, he sold an original pitch to Warner Brothers, and went on to write scripts for Disney, Sony, and Dreamworks, working with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Jonathan Mostow, Stephen Sommers, and McG. This year, Kinberg has Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., opening Christmas Day. Plus, he co-wrote Date Night, starring Steve Carrell and Tina Fey. He is currently writing an original script for Nicole Kidman at 20th Century Fox, as well as Hardy Men starring Tom Cruise and Ben Stiller. In addition, he is producing the prequel X-Men: First Class. Post a Question for Simon Kinberg in the StoryLink Forum by June 26. If your question is chosen, receive The Dialogue: Learning from the Masters DVD (Winner's Choice) from The Writers Store. Post your question today! |
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Chris Soth, creator of the Mini-Movie Method, has had many years of success as a Hollywood Screenwriter. His work has been produced by major studios, and he holds an MFA in screenwriting. The author of Sold! How I Set Up Three Pitches in Hollywood, Soth explains to the StoryLink Community how and why to write High Concept screenplays. And "how to make sure they don't SUCK." Summer is here, the season of the blockbuster, and like so many summers before it, the blockbuster fare will be mainly driven by two things: - Sequels. - High Concept Fare. - And Sequels to High Concept Fare. Ok, that's three things. But I wanted to point out that there's a significant overlap between the two AND that the High Concept rules the summer, Hollywood's biggest money-making season. Continue reading... |
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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, Founder & Director, 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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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 |
Basics & Beyond: Final Draft Training Conducted by: Mario Moreno When: June 17th - 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: $49.95 Basics & Beyond: FrameForge 3D Studio 2 Training Conducted by: Jeff Stoltzfus When: June 27th - 2:00pm-4:00pm Location: The Writers Store Cost: $39.95 |
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Dr. Linda Seger is a script consultant, seminar leader, and author of eight books on screenwriting, including The Art of Adaptation: Turning Fact and Fiction into Film. She answers the question: "What does one look for when considering adapting any source material into film?" It's not unusual for anyone to read a book and decide it would make a great movie. We can imagine the film because the book is visual, usually action-oriented, and the characters seem as if they'd attract top stars. Adaptations of novels, plays, short stories, or true-life stories have a good success rate, although not every good story makes a great film and not every good writer can solve the many challenges of an adaptation. Continue reading... |
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Do you have an idea for a screenplay, but find yourself stuck before you even start? Do you have a good script that needs a little push in the right direction? Then it's time to look into customized Screenwriting Coaching from The Writers Store. The Story Specialists - The Writers Store's professionally-trained screenwriting coaches - provide customized guidance, based on your own screenwriting goals. They can take you from that first glimmer of an idea to a final draft, all while addressing your specific writing needs. The Story Specialists program includes: - A Personalized Assessment of your Project - A Project Path, Based on your Script Idea and Personal Goals - Weekly or Bi-weekly In-Person Sessions - Quality Feedback (written and verbal) For more information and to find out how to reserve your free 20-minute consultation with a Story Specialist, call 800.272.8927 or stop by The Writers Store, 2040 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles. |
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The Writers Network Screenplay & Fiction Competition Deadline June 15th, 2009 StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest Deadline June 15th, 2009 Big Break Contest Deadline June 15th, 2009 |
FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest Deadline June 15th, 2009 Write On! Online/The Write Environment Query Contest Deadline June 22nd, 2009 10th Annual Cynosure Screenwriting Awards Deadline June 27th, 2009 |