Tyler Bird

Driven to learn the craft, out of love and passion.

Personal Details

Name: Tyler Bird

Last visit: Oct 27, 2009

Interests

I love stand up comedy, I'm a bit of an anglo-phile, I like simulation and strategy video games. (Basically I'm a control freak, but at least I can admit it). I have a guitar I'd love to play more than I play Guitar Hero.

But most important to me is my family. I am married to my favorite person in the world. She shares many interests with me but also compliments my weaknesses. We make a great team.

Books

My favorite author of all time is Frank Herbert. His Dune novels were my inspiration to write. Although I did want to be a novelist at first, I transitioned into screenplays.

Some of my other favorites would be Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

Movies

Back to the Future is my all-time favorite film. It became my favorite film as a child growing up in 80's, but it remains my favorite as an adult and a screenwriter, because Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale created a work of art. That stands the test of time. (Pun intented.)

Thanks to my father, I'm a fan of Mel Brook's films. I learned early on to quote from Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles.

And as I grew into a 20-something I became a fan of Kevin Smith films.

But I'm a fan of film in general, so I feel like I could go on and on.

Television

Lost gives me the thrill every time I watch. Their mastery of the craft helps to keep the focus where it belongs: on the characters.

And of course the satire of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report make my face and stomach ache from laugh-out-loud jokes. If it weren't for them, lunchtime wouldn't be as fun.

Blog

You Gotta Start Somewhere

Beginnings are a magical time. In either a screenplay's opening scene or the moment you begin your process of writing.

Passion, fear, exhiliration, despair, confidence, hopelessness. A rollercoaster of emotions as you write those first fragile words.

But then a gem is found. Maybe it's a piece of dialogue or action you love. You find it and it gives you the strength to move on.

Sometimes when I begin, though... I tend to edit that first scene until it's "just right".

But everything I've read about screenwriting tells me that I need to continue on. "Just keep writing."

So for you writers out there like me, I'd recommend taking their advice. The closer you get to the end of the first draft, the sooner you'll *know* what your story is about.

You'll never get there if you don't begin.

So begin.

June 11, 2009 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | Add Comment

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About Me

After two amazing years in screenwriting classes at the University of Utah, Tyler Bird suddenly had to go and graduate. And then become a programmer.

But paying the bills doesn't feed the soul. So he's reaching out through StoryLink to find a screenwriting partner, talk shop, workshop and network with other people who've got a passion for the art of screenwriting.

Goal

To use StoryLink as a tool to advance a career in screenwriting. Through networking and building relationships with other writers who share in the goal to write quality screenplays that give audiences what they crave most: A great story to arouse their emotions.