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This post is a bit more personal than usual because it involves people that have helped shape this organization and perservered when others have lost interest.

There's no doubt that the best part of starting the OC Screenwriters is when members meet, pull together their resources, and create something wonderful.  This has happened several times already and the latest iteration of this concept of networking is the group behind "The Prey."  

They've made me a part of this insanely ambitious project and it's truly a thrill to be again working with Rudy Garcia, Eric Hensman, his brother Matt (and super-neice Scarlett,) Itai Levin, and soon-to-be mega-producer Victor Phan.

Pity The Poor Writer

I've written under all circumstances for over twenty years - scripts, short stories, novels, industrial videos, blogs, articles, etc. Modestly speaking, I'm pretty good at it.  I know that because people pay me for that particular skill set.  

Yep, lots to learn (emphasis on 'lots'") but let me make this point at the top - I study storytelling for a living. That's what I do.  So, I should know a little more about it than your nephew, girlfriend, stranger off the street, right?  Oh you agree?  Then why are you changing my story, characters, themes and plot based on their opinions?  In fact, why are we having this conversation at all? 

You think I'm being a dilettante writer?  Fair enough.  Let's talk about that.

Chill, Dude.  It's just Your Flipping Career

Let's get the big points out of the way.  First, I do get that these are gray areas and that I am over-simplifying for the sake of making my point - it's called...writing - where have you been?

We’re Going to Cambridge, England!
Summer 2012

(June 30th-August 11th)
6 weeks!

[Go for the classes—stay for the Olympics!]

OCC English professor Raymond Obstfeld will be taking a group of 40 students to live on campus at the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Cambridge alumni include John Milton, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, A.A. Milne, William Wordsworth, and Sylvia Plath, as well as the more contemporary Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat), Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie (House), and the members of Monty Python.

Students will live at Girton College, and attend OCC courses offered by Prof. Obstfeld.  All units earned are transferable. Students who have participated in this program in the past describe it as “life-changing” and “the best time I’ve ever had.” You, too, will have the time of your life.

I've seen two episodes of "Detroit 187" starring Michael Imperioli (Chris-ta-fah from "Sopranos.")  I couldn't put my finger on what I thought the problems were with this show until I watched the second ep.  Now I think I see why I probably won't watch this show going forward.

187 is the code for homicide - murder - the "sexiest" of the detective bureaus - at least according to Hollywood since there are so many shows about it.  Detroit is the setting - at least in title.

My latest screenplay is finished. It’s been spelling and grammar checked, reviewed by some trusted people, registered with the WGA. It is currently the best it can be. It is unique, has mass appeal, and the potential is obvious. I think so, anyway. The next step is a tough one – I need to get a producer to read it and to do that I need to pitch it to him/her with a high concept logline and synopsis.

Okay, that’s cake. Simple. Just come up with a single one-liner that will capture a producer’s attention with minimal word count and maximum impact. Then have a tight but descriptive synopsis as a follow-up.