Writers Group Therapy

This week's session is an interview with Gustavo Sampaio, the Founder and Director of the NoHo Cinefest in North Hollywood, now in its sixth year. He is also a writer, producer, director and editor. We discuss the upcoming festival and his film "GAIA."SHOW NOTES:NoHo Cinefest: https://www.nohocinefest.comGustavo on IMDb: https://www.imdb.me/gustavosampaioGustavo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gustavoproducer

Getting a writing gig or selling your script is awesome! That is, until your read the fine print. What happens to your work once you hand it over? Who owns the characters, worlds and stories you create? This session looks into what is a "work for hire," and what it means to your creative future.SHOW NOTES: None this episode

IMDB, or the Internet Movie Database, is an indispensible resource for writers who want to research films and TV shows, network with producers, managers, agents and talent, as well as showcase their credits and awards. But we writers are not always the best at marketing ourselves. In this week's session, we talk with Kari Nissena, an actor, producer and transformation coach on how to improve our image on IMDB. SHOW NOTES:Actor Transformation (Kari's website): https://www.actortransformation.comFind "Three Ways to Improve Your IMDB" there as well

It’s a blockbuster (not the failed movie rental chain) showdown in today’s session as we compare two sense-based horror films from a writer’s perspective. It’s Bird Box vs. A Quiet Place. **SPOILER ALERT!**SHOW NOTES:Bird Box on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/watch/80196789Bird Box on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2737304A Quiet Place Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7cc5t7tv8A Quiet Place on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6644200The Happening on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949731

We welcome Steve Spalding to our group session this week. Steve is a writer and producer from Florida whose TV pilot, "The Many Lives of Ann Winters," was one of five winning pilots in the Playstation Emerging Filmmaker Program that were produced by Playstation and Ideas United. Steve discusses he experience producing his pilot and his other writing endeavors.SHOW NOTES:Watch "The Many Lives of Ann Winters": https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/playstation-video/emerging-filmmakers/the-many-lives-of-ayn-winters/Ideas United: https://ideasunited.com"At The Midnight," a narrative podcast by Steve Spalding: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/at-the-midnight/id1382379265Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbspaldingFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbspaldingEmail: stevebspalding@gmail.com

I think most writers will agree, scripts are never finished. Up until the editing is finished, the story is still malleable. As a writer though, at some point, we have to put "THE END" on our writing process before we share it with agents, managers, producers, etc. So, when is your script finished?SHOW NOTES: None this episode

Truth is, sometimes, you just have to do it yourself. In Session #70, we interview Stephen Kogon, who wrote, produced and director the feature film "Dance Baby Dance" to learn how he made his project a reality.SHOW NOTES: Dance Baby Dance: http://www.dancebabydancemovie.comSketch for Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance: https://youtu.be/vq5AR2BU0ykTwitter: https://twitter.com/DBDTheMovie

Truth is, sometimes, you just have to do it yourself. In Session #70, we interview Stephen Kogon, who wrote, produced and director the feature film "Dance Baby Dance" to learn how he made his project a reality.SHOW NOTES: Dance Baby Dance: http://www.dancebabydancemovie.comSketch for Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance: https://youtu.be/vq5AR2BU0ykTwitter: https://twitter.com/DBDTheMovie

Getting notes on your projects can be a harrowing experience. How you give them is just as important. In today's session, we discuss how to deal with notes from both sides.SHOW NOTES: None this episode

You've dashed your parents' hopes and decided you want to be a screenwriter. We often get asked questions from people who, not too far in the distant past, we were: The Newbie Screenwriter. So, for our listeners who are bravely embarking on this great adventure, this session is dedicated to you. To help you get over those first few speed bumps, we've outlined the very basics you need to grasp and some pitfalls to avoid. And we've put some useful links in the notes below to guide you.SHOW NOTES:Simply Scripts (scripts to read): SimplyScripts.comScript Formatting: https://www.storysense.com/format.htmThe Three Act Structure: http://www.elementsofcinema.com/screenwriting/three-act-structure/Big Ideas for Screenwriters: http://bigbigideas.com/Session #64 - Podcasts and YouTube for Screenwriters: http://www.writersgrouptherapy.com/2018/11/session-64-watching/And, of course, every other session of Writers Group Therapy!  

We will undoubtedly receive a mountain of "no's" and "passes" before, if ever, we get our first "YES!" How you handle rejection can make or break you in the business of screenwriting, or books, magazines, blocks, advertising, etc. We discuss ways we barrel through the "It's not your script. It's my mandate, " entire pint of Häagen-Dazs moments we face on a regular basis. What's your best advice to handle rejection? Leave us a comment!

In this session, Tom struggles with Hollywood films' lack of moral fiber. Is there a moral to the story? Do movies still teach morals? Or we just stuffing our faces with popcorn while stuff explodes on screen?SHOW NOTES:Movies with Important Life Lessons for Us to Learn: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/inspirational-moviesIMDB's List of Movies with Life Lessons: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls003913565/

In this week's session, we chat with Michael Coulombe, a screenwriter and script supervisor about his projects and what a script supervisor does. SHOW NOTES:Horror House Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YpFKi1RQlcMichaelCoulombe.com: http://MichaelCoulombe.com

In today's session, we share with you some of the podcasts and YouTube channels we listen to and watch, and recommend, as writers to navigate our careers and improve our skills. SHOW NOTES: Happier In Hollywood: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/happier-in-hollywood/id1236845161?mt=2 StarTalk Radio: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/startalk-radio/id325404506?mt=2 Paper Team: https://www.tv-calling.com/feed/podcast/ How Did This Get Made: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-did-this-get-made/id409287913?mt=2 Dead Pilots Society: http://deadpilotssociety.libsyn.com/rss Scriptnotes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496?mt=2 HISHE (How It Should Have Ended): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHCph-_jLba_9atyCZJPLQQ CinemaSins: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYUQQgogVeQY8cMQamhHJcg Super Carlin Bros (Film Theories): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZo4N0lVPccBkSiuyVh4yg The Film Theorist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3sznuotAs2ohg_U__Jzj_Q Screen Junkies (Honest Trailers): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMbqH7xJu5aTAPQ9y_U7WQ

Wait! When did that become a thing? You just got Retconned! In this week's session, we discuss the use and abuse of Retroactive Continuity in movies and films.SHOW NOTES: None this episode