Day 3 - Bingo!

This 3-day event has come to a close on the best possible high note! The last thing this afternoon was a pitching session, where we got to tell three producers about our scripts, and get feedback on the pitch itself. The last one our table got to speak with was a woman who works on budgets under $2 million. We all went around. She said my story was compelling, and I said it was doable for that budget, and that was it - she was on to the next writer. At the end she talked a bit in general and slid in this sentence so quietly I wasn't sure I'd heard it. "I'd like to read your (motioning towards me) script, because I worked as a journalist in the past, I have a child, and I can identify with a small town. I like this."

Blink.

What'd she say? Did she say what I think she said?

Yes she did! BIG GRIN.

I was the only one who got asked on the spot. (She said, humbly.)

Every other producer we met except one took our one-sheets with them, and most of the script requests will come from that, so I don't know what else will come up for me. There will be lots for the others in the class, that's for sure. There are tons of good projects.

Gary says that this gal makes a lot of movies, so that sounds pretty cool to me. She said she sometimes partners with writers (which I think means there won't be money until it makes some, I'm not sure). It doesn't matter. A LOT of these people have just said, Get something MADE and you'll have a lot more luck going in.

She could change her mind as soon as she reads the one-sheet for all we know, so it's one of those mini-successes that we take a moment to celebrate and then move on. Also it means I'll be writing my ass off when I get home, as the script is not ready.

Two fellow writers offered straight away to read it for me, which is awesome. There is so much support in this group. I'm so happy, I just may go out and buy a purse!

That First Course-on-the-Phone!

Ah. It was soothing ointment on my dried, shriveled soul. It was better than the first sip of nourishment for a desert traveler. It was more like how that traveler feels two hours later when he can drink all he wants. I was so thirsty.

I liked what I heard.

There was so much good information in that two and a half hours that I really felt like more. And, like all free teleconferences, it ended with an invitation to pay for more, with a healthy discount. How could I refuse? I was still thirsty!

It is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Hal Croasmun is one of those rare individuals who actually cares enough to spend time. He has spent time researching, experiencing, and testing what makes screenplays sell, and he is willing to share. I've never met anyone so eager to spend SO many hours with writers. He genuinely wants to help. And I have a lot of time for people like him. And money, too. Heck, it's the American way.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the peeps north of the 49th, the Canadian way is apologetic. We end up feeling sorry that we've made a lot of money. We can't help but feel that it's just wrong somehow.

(Cancel that, Universe! I don't want you to get the idea that I, Peg, feel like that. Not me. I'd like to make a lot of money and experience all that entails.)

Stay tuned, gentle reader, we're getting ourselves up to present day current developments. I'm busy with family this weekend, and will blog as and when I can. Thanks for being here. I'm loving it!

Where does this journey begin?

I could get dramatic and refer to the fact that at age four I began writing phonetically. Pffft! So does everyone.

I think I'll just KISS it and begin last fall, when I felt like writing scripts again. This would be my third foray into the world of screenwriting, and let's hope the third time's a charm. What do I really do to get involved again, as I must keep my day job this time. The first attempts, I was not so sensible.

I know. I know, and we're not going to dwell in the past, remember? There I was thinking, "How do I do this?" I began searching online and signed up for a writer's newsletter. In one issue, there was an ad for a screenwriting contest. With nothing to lose but the $40 US fee, I submitted an entry.

That was an okay thing to do. Nothing happened with the contest, but having done that I was open for a lot of web ads concerning screenwriting. I could not believe my eyes the day I saw a FREE tele-seminar about doing a rewrite. I knew in my heart of hearts that the screenplay I'd submitted to the contest really needed that kind of attention, and I thought, what better place to start? It's just one phone call, and I can use whatever I learn to work on re-writing the romantic comedy ASHES.

I marked this very important day in my calendar, I told all my friends, I got excited, I looked forward to it, and finally I dialed the number at the appointed time. My life has been richer and crazier and busier and love-lier ever since!