FEB 3 & 4: Writers Boot Camp Business Breakfast (2/3) and Free Mini Camp (2/4)

Posted by Don Rose

Get set for 2 great events we recommend this week, taking place at the Writers Boot Camp. The following event info is from WBC:

Panel of WGA West Executives

Moderated by founder Jeffrey Gordon

Wednesday, February 3, 7:45-9:45am

To kickoff the first Business Breakfast of the year, the Writers Guild is sending some of their best people to dine with us and share their perspectives of opportunities in the entertainment business:

Tamara Krinsky/ New Media Project Manager

Kimberly Myers/ Director of Diversity

Jayson Pope/Lead Organizer

Kay Schaber Wolf/ Independent Film Executive

The Business Breakfast

presents to our community the people who truly know the business. Join us every other Wednesday at our Bergamot Station headquarters to network and to learn where the work is in the entertainment industry. The breakfast consists of eggs, potatoes, pastries, fresh fruit, juice & coffee. At 8:30am, founder Jeffrey Gordon will introduce our guest speaker(s) for a brief interview and Q&A about their particular expertise, emphasizing professional trends, new opportunities and emerging markets.

Doors open at 7:45 am. Advance tickets are $20 for the public, including breakfast. Tickets at the door when available are $25. For all Writers Boot Camp current writers, alumni and their guests, tickets are $10. Free parking is available in the main Bergamot Station lot, entrance on Michigan.

Free Mini-Camp

Thursday, February 4, 7:30-9:15pm

"How to Impress Your Manager or Agent"

You've been productive and your work has attracted fans and friends in the business, even representation, but how do you get to the next level of industry attention and develop that certain momentum? Join Writers Boot Camp Founder Jeffrey Gordon for an inspirational Mini-Camp as he shares the distinctive writing tools and professional writing strategies that have raised the game of so many of our A-List alumni who work at the top tier of the entertainment business.

To read more on the

Business Breakfast

, buy tickets and get directions, go to:

http://www.writersbootcamp.com/BusinessBreakfast/BusinessBreakfast.asp

.

Location for both events:

Writers Boot Camp

L.A. Headquarters

Bergamot Station Arts Center

2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. I

Santa Monica, CA 90404

800.800.1733

info@writersbootcamp.com

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Map

BLOGBITE: DIRECTOR DICILLO'S DOORS DAY (Tom DiCillo Blog)

We at The LA Report like to feature fun, well-written, captivating blogs now and then. Now, then, is one of those times, as we recommend you check out the blog of director Tom DiCillo, whose latest film is a wonderful new documentary about The Doors ("When You're Strange"). Here is a brief blog excerpt, a glimpse into one day at Sundance with Tom and the Doors:

1. 17.09.
10 am.
Park City, Utah.
...
I do the morning press with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger; I’ll be with John Densmore in the afternoon. The first interview goes well. Ray is hyper but eloquent. Robby is quiet, slipping in brief comments that send out ripples of meaning. Both are highly complimentary about the film. It suddenly penetrates my jetlag that I’m actually sitting with 2 members of The Doors talking about a film I made about their lives.

At the next interview I notice a small keyboard set up across the room. I nudge Ray with a wink. “Why don’t you play something?” “Yeah,” he laughs, ”you know how many times I’ve heard that in my life?”

I leave the room for a moment. Someone starts playing the piano intro to “Riders On the Storm.” I turn and see it’s Ray. Robby is standing beside him strapping on an electric guitar. He checks his volume, then slips into the music. Around the room people’s jaws are dropping. As the song builds Ray’s eyes close, his head goes back. Robby studies his fretboard, a faint smile touching his lips. At that moment they both look 20 years old.

4 pm.

In the middle of an interview with Densmore. He’s sharp and gracious. He’s also the only thing keeping me awake. About 25 other interviews are taking place in the room around us. The jabber is deafening. John gives Oliver Stone some professional respect but then, when asked about Jim his voice takes on a deep, quiet reverence and I see Morrison suddenly come alive in his eyes.

Final Draft, Inc. Announces The Big Break International Screenwriting Contest Judges

Industry Jury Chosen for 9th Annual Contest

Posted by Don Rose, Editor, TheLAReport.com

(CALABASAS, CA – August 13, 2008) Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft, the #1-selling scriptwriting software, announces jury members for its 9th annual Big Break International Screenplay Contest. These stellar jury members represent award-winning writers and development executives. They will judge the top-10 scripts in September, and the top-three winners will be announced at an awards event in October.

The 2008 judges are:

Dana Stevens—Writer: Life or Something Like It; For Love of the Game; City of Angels

Benderspink management/production—A History of Violence; The Ring; Red Eye

Blake Snyder—author: Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

Bruce Feirstein—Writer: The World is Not Enough; Tomorrow Never Dies; GoldenEye.

About Final Draft, Inc.'s Big Break International Screenwriting Contest

The Big Break contest is an annual, global screenwriting competition designed to promote emerging creative talent. The winner is awarded $15,000 cash plus meetings with industry professionals and a year-long mentorship through CineStory. Now in its ninth year, the Big Break contest has become one of the most popular in the nation because of its generous payout and previous winners’ successes. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced, and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals. The first contest's winner, Dawg, by Ken Hastings, was produced and shot by Gold Circle Films (starring Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary). The 2004 winner Rylend Grant was quickly signed by CAA and secured a six-figure deal to write for an A-list actress and an Oscar® -winning director. 2005 winner Julia Van Develder's The Escape Artist is in pre-production after being optioned by a U.K. production company with an award-winning director attached. The Big Break 2007 winner Robert Frisbee was quickly signed by Benderspink management. For more information about the Big Break contest, visit www.finaldraft.com/big-break.

About Final Draft, Inc.

Final Draft, Inc. was founded in 1991 to develop a scriptwriting program that allows the writer to concentrate on the creative process and not on Hollywood's stringent formatting rules. Since then, Final Draft has become the Hollywood professional's choice and the world's #1-selling scriptwriting program.In 2006, Final Draft acquired Script magazine and its ancillary events and services.For more information about Final Draft, Inc. and other product offerings, visit www.finaldraft.com

FINAL DRAFT & INKTIP: WRITER TOOLS TIMES TWO (FROM MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE EMAIL)

FINAL DRAFT, INC. provides filmmakers the tools they need to develop, write, format and sell their scripts. Final Draft software automatically formats to Hollywood's stringent rules and offers filmmakers tools like Tagger to help them break down, or Tag their scripts. Script magazine, a Final Draft publication, provides in-depth coverage on the craft and business for writing for film and TV, and Final Draft's events and services help writers gain industry access and provide feedback on their screenplays. Visit http://www.finaldraft.com/ to learn more about Final Draft software, Script magazine, Take A Meeting, Big Break and ScriptXpert.

Do what works! Showcase your scripts on INKTIP — the only site where scripts and writers are consistently acquired. From the scripts/writers that have been found through the InkTip network, 48 movies have been produced. For details, see http://www.inktip.com/prod.php. Through the Preferred Newsletter, writers have optioned their scripts and been hired to write. Additionally, InkTip sends out a printed magazine to industry professionals with loglines from writers on the Website. Get your scripts seen at http://www.inktip.com/.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS BY LA NOVELIST STEVE ERICKSON (FROM INTERVIEW ON LA TIMES "JACKET COPY" BLOG)

Carolyn Kellogg (Lead Blogger for "Jacket Copy" -- a Los Angeles Times blog focusing on book news and information) asked novelist Steve Erickson (head of the writing program at CalArts and a native of Los Angeles) for his thoughts on good places to eat lunch in LA. His recommendations:

Musso & Frank [Grill] is a great place to lunch because it's Old Hollywood and you can get a martini and steak and think about all the writers from Fitzgerald to Chandler who used to get sloshed there. Haven't been in a long time, but Yuca's out in Silver Lake used to serve the best pork tacos in the city and I'm assuming that hasn't changed. I like the Border Grill in Santa Monica because they're the only people in L.A. who make a better margarita than I do ... and Serenata across the street has even better food for those who are actually into the eating thing. Actually, for those who are actually into the eating thing, there's also Angelini on Beverly Boulevard. If you go with Michael Silverblatt, they have a table in the corner for him, the way Ma Maison used to for Orson Welles.

These eatery suggestions came at the end of Kellogg's interview with Erickson; to read the entire exchange, please go to: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2008/04/festival-of-b-2.html.

WEBPAGE OF THE WEEK: WIL WHEATON'S WORK (GOOL GAME REVIEWS FOR AV CLUB)

Yes, I said GOOL, not COOL, although it is really both. Let me explain...

So I happen to be browsing around one of The LA Report's favorite websites - AV Club (a sister pub of The Onion, another fave) - when I see a webpage devoted to games (GOOL - Games Of Our Lives). Then, I notice that EVERY review is by Wil Wheaton. I knew he was a gamer, but this is, like, total page domination. He clearly loves games, making his reviews fun to read.

See the AV Club's Games Of Our Lives page at http://www.avclub.com/content/gool.

TEXT TECH: ODIOGO CREATES AUDIO FROM TEXT; TURN BLOGS INTO PODCASTS, READERS INTO LISTENERS

By Don Rose
-

Imagine you don't have time to read someone's cool blog (like, say, this one), or some other website with text. Instead of driving and reading - a taxing test of your multitasking skills - imagine you can just get the audio version of that same text and listen on the go on your iPod.

Such is the promise of ODIOGO, a service that could just be what's next in text.

I assume Odiogo is a play on the words AUDIO and GO (yes, we are sharp folks here). Bloggers or other webmasters may find this tool very useful indeed, to turn text readers into audio listeners without having to do much extra work (just add an Odiogo button to a posting and visitors can get an audio version of that post's text). More info at http://www.odiogo.com/ where you can read text like this description excerpt:

Turn readers into listeners, and transform your blog into a high quality, ad-supporting broadcast that can vastly expand your audience reach!

Automatic podcast generation

“Near-human” quality text-to-speech

Listen Button feature deployed in next to no time for WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, BlogEngine.NET and Terapad platforms

Detailed download statistics

Make money from embedded ads
Learn More
FREE Sign Up

STRIKE NEWS: LIONSGATE & MARVEL STUDIOS SIGN INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH WRITERS GUILD

LIONSGATE SIGNS INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH WRITERS GUILD

LOS ANGELES – Leading independent filmed entertainment studio Lionsgate is the latest company to sign an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America. The company is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.

The agreement is similar to the deals the WGA has recently announced with United Artists, The Weinstein Company, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.

“We are pleased Lionsgate has joined the growing number of companies that have signed interim agreements with the Writers Guild,” said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, and Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East, in a joint statement. “Lionsgate is considered a leader in the industry, and its signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably.”

Upcoming Lionsgate films include Rambo, The Eye, Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, Forbidden Kingdom, My Best Friend's Girl, Punisher 2, Saw 5, and The Spirit. Upcoming television series include Weeds (Showtime, fourth season), Mad Men (AMC, second season), and Fear Itself (NBC, debut season).

WGA AND MARVEL STUDIOS ANNOUNCE INTERIM AGREEMENT

LOS ANGELES – Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced today that they have reached an interim comprehensive agreement that will put writers immediately back to work on the Marvel Studios development slate. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We’re very excited about our summer releases, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and look forward to resuming work with writers on our future projects including Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man, and The Avengers,” said Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel.

“Marvel Studios’ signing of an interim agreement with the Writers Guild is more good news for our membership,” said WGAE President Michael Winship and WGAW President Patric M. Verrone. “Marvel is committed to fairly compensating their writers and now they can move forward with their planned production schedule.”

Marvel Studios recently launched its independent live-action film studio to develop, produce, and fully finance Marvel movies, which will include two of this summer’s most anticipated releases – Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man will be released by Paramount Pictures on May 2, 2008, and stars Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow. The Incredible Hulk, which will be released by Universal Pictures on June 13, 2008, is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt. In cooperation with other studios, Marvel previously produced a long succession of hits, including the Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four franchises, Ghost Rider, and Daredevil.

It's looking more and more like postponement for the Golden Globes, says Variety's Scribe Vibe

from Scribe Vibe (Variety's WGA strike blog):

"There's a real, growing possibility that NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will opt to postpone the Golden Globes Awards, rather than hold the shinding sans celebs or -- even more drastic -- without being televised.
Instead, the organization and network may take a page from the 2001 Emmy Awards, which were postponed twice..."

"THE TWELVE" THROWS NOVEL LAUNCH PARTY AT CITIZEN SMITH

(December 12, 2007: Los Angeles, CA) Tonight, "The Twelve" took over Citizen Smith, the hot hang in the heart of Hollywood. No, we don't mean the Twelve Supreme Court justices (they may have been over at Government Smith, perhaps), nor the Twelve days of Christmas (which we love, of course, but that is not Gothic enough for this riddle). We mean the book party and signing for screenwriter/filmmaker Tom Kennedy and his new debut horror novel, THE TWELVE. Everyone in attendance was graciously gifted with a copy of "The Twelve" as well as a cookie version of the book. (You know, those special order shortbread confections that feature the cover of a book or other work of art using newfangled food technology, we love those!)

We are told that "The Twelve" involves the killing of Beverly Hills billionaires (which may have Rupert Murdoch sweating), and that the novel features a suspenseful Stephenkingesque style (an accolade bestowed by Kirkus Reviews), so we look forward to reading the book. Tom told The LA Report he uses "the same program coroners use" when writing his new tome -- "Via Voice" -- the advanced natural-language dictation software that can (very accurately) translate voice into text. Coroners use it since their hands are always busy, Tom explained, and this certainly makes sense. Tom uses it in order to keep the writing flowing freer than when one's hands are tied to a typewriter (ahem, I mean, computer keyboard).

Along with many photographers and other members of the media in attendance, the VIPs and celebrities at the party (including Patrika Darbo [Hatchet], Lorielle New and others) enjoyed fine red wine plus delicious passed appetizers served up by the Citizen Smith kitchen, such as lightly-fried chicken skewers, empanadas and homemade cookies. All in all, a very fun affair. (Note: no billionaires were harmed in the making of this story.)

The official website for "The Twelve" is: www.thetwelvenovel.com. Inquiries regarding the book or author Tom Kennedy can be sent to Doris Bergman at The Berg Group: theberggroup@aol.com. Citizen Smith is located at 1600 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA, at the corner of Selma and Cahuenga.

WRITERS GUILD STRIKE: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS, NOV. 15

The latest letter to Guild members from WGA West President Verrone summarizes the writers' side of things -- a counterpoint to recent ads from the producers (AMPTP):


To My Fellow Members:

As expected, the AMPTP today took out another set of full page ads making misleading statements. While we can’t meet them ad dollar for ad dollar, I would like to refute their charges here.

* They say that technology and the Internet is rapidly changing how Hollywood works. This is true, which is why we need a new formula to determine compensation.

* They say that writers are already paid residuals for digital downloads. It's true some companies are trying to pay us for downloading shows we’ve created at the abysmal DVD rate of a third of a penny per dollar earned by the companies. But we have never agreed to this formula, and we have initiated arbitration.

* They say we are asking for a 700% increase over what we currently receive for digital downloads. This is more than misleading. Again, some companies are trying to pay us the DVD rate. And we are asking to receive 2.5 cents per dollar. The only way to characterize our request as a 700% increase is if you accept as a given the low ball amount they’re trying to foist on us.

* They say they have offered to pay us a percentage of the revenue from Internet streaming of shows we’ve created. Here’s the truth about their offer. We would get no share of revenue for the first six weeks that our shows air. In other words, they’re offering us a share of revenue after there is little revenue left.

* They say that no labor agreement in history has given writers, actors, or directors a portion of advertising dollars. Nowhere in any of our proposals have we ever asked for a share of ad dollars. As with every residual, we are asking for a share of the revenue the corporations receive.

While I am always eager to discuss these issues with the public and the members, I also aim to have these discussions directly with the AMPTP. Therefore, instead of spending money on advertising, I ask them to return to the negotiating table, which we never left.

We are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone
President, WGA West

WRITERS GUILD STRIKE: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS, DAY 3

Recent news regarding the Writers Guild of America strike (highlights of an email update sent to guild members by WGA West President Patric M. Verrone):

--Monday's 3,000 person turnout increased on Tuesday to nearly 3,200. Wednesday: over 3,300.

--Tom Johnson, head writer of Talkshow with Spike Feresten, was hit by an overly aggressive driver at Sunset Gower Studios on Monday and sustained minor injuries that required a trip to the emergency room.

--Over 125 showrunners picketed Wednesday at Disney and an ad featuring some 400 screenwriters (including some of the biggest names in the business) will appear in Thursday’s Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Members have come from as far away as Amsterdam to picket.

--John Edwards sent a statement of support and Rev. Jesse Jackson will be walking the picket lines at Paramount on Thursday. Encouragement, support, and even refreshments continue to be provided on the picket lines from SAG members while ACTRA (the Canadian actors union) has issued a letter of support.

--Talent agencies have also been sending food to the lines and Paradigm picked up the check for lunch for over a hundred showrunners at the Smokehouse in Burbank.

--The WGA is not currently at the bargaining table ... it was nearly four months between the time we put our proposals on the table in July and the first time we had a single counter proposal from the AMPTP on new media issues. ... The last move made on Sunday was our presentation of a comprehensive package. It is up to the companies to respond to that package. When they indicate that they are ready to do so, we will return to the bargaining table as soon as possible.