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Whisky, weed and Warren Zevon, it's the little things -Hank Moody

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.

More good news for board member Mark Sevi.  Reprinted from About.Com ~ Larry

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996), Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000), Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011), and West of Memphis (2012) - these documentaries have all delved into the story of the prosecution, conviction, fight for freedom, and subsequent release of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Miskelly Jr. Known as the West Memphis Three, Echols, Baldwin and Miskelly were convicted of murdering three eight year old boys in Arkansas in 1993 and spent almost 20 years in jail for crimes they did not commit.

Recently released due to lack of DNA evidence (as well as other newly discovered evidence), Echols, Baldwin and Miskelly's stories have been well chronicled in the four documentaries. However, their journey from incarceration to freedom isn't done being told. A feature film, Devil's Knot, is in the works with Reese Witherspoon attached to star and Deadline reporting Colin Firth has just joined the project.

Atom Egoyan will direct the film which is based on the book Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three by Mara Leveritt. Witherspoon will be playing Pam Hobbs, the mother of one of the murder victims.

Firth is set to take on the role of private investigator Ron Lax.

For journalists, drawing the line between professional responsibility and individual activism has always been tough. The Occupy Wall Street activity in D.C. has a brand new spokesperson - Lisa Simeone. Simeone, however, is also hired as a freelance reporter. Resource for this article: NPR host Lisa Simeone facing questions about political activism

NPR doesn’t pay

The representative for Occupy D.C. which has to do with Occupy Wall Street is radio reporter Lisa Simeone, press noticed recently. As reported by Simeone, she is a freelancer. That is why NPR should not care what her place is.

A PRIVILEGE TO WATCH

Pete Postlethwaite had perhaps the best face in the movie business. Whatever mood or emotion was needed to set the feel of a scene in a film, Pete provided it instantly, with just a quick and penetrating glare of that ever-ready, ever-rugged face that didn’t carry a movie, but sure provided the texture and grit that made a movie more than that, his presence made it a film.

I just got in from attending this evening's activities and while exhausted from a long day today and with an early call tomorrow morning, but it would be negligent of me not to tell you how outstanding this festival is and urge you to attend one or more movies over the next few days.  It is being held at the Garden Walk in Anaheim (link).and continues through Sunday the 17th.

The festival was well thought out by people who obviously have a passion for film.  They arranged for experienced festival operators to help them set it up correctly (I met some people from the Temecula and San Diego festivals). 

From the red carpet to the after party, you'd have thought they've been doing this for years.  I suspect they will be around for a long time and would not be surprised if they become one of the "must attend" festivals.

I will write additional information about the festival in the next day or two but for now - IT'S A HIT!  Congratulations to Sinan Kanasiz and the other founders. 

Go, you'll have a good - no, a great time.

Not surprisingly, George A. Romero spends a lot of time dreaming up new ways to kill zombies.

Frank Frazetta has died.  An artist of immense talent, he came to prominence on the basis of illustrations done for the Robert E. Howard Conan the Barbarian novels and other scifi and fantasy work.

Frank Frazetta's artistry never failed to inspire me.  He had a truly unique voice.  His work spoke of worlds that existed on the edges of our universe.  He perfectly captured the look and gritty feel of the stories contained in the books he illustrated and yet he said he never read those books.  Rather he found his stunning style from somewhere within himself.  

This is something I wrote for my blog journalistbynite, but as I progress in this crazy dream of mine...I figure I should start posting some stuff here.  All comments are welcome.

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A Dream Made Real
December 2009
by
Mark Sevi

My name is Mark Sevi. I’m a professional screenwriter and the nominal president of the Orange County Screenwriters Association.

In March of this year (2009) a series of events made it possible for me to realize a dream that I’ve had for nearly five years - to start the Orange County Screenwriters Association. Although I had tried earlier, I wasn’t able to get much traction until a good friend, Raymond Obstfeld, introduced me to a person who has grown to become another friend, Larry Porricelli, the manager of the Regency South Coast Village Theater.  
 

POLANSKI: The Unauthorized Biography
As timely as today's headlines
At the Regency South Coast Theater

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3th 7:00pm
Q&A with director Chapa to follow the screening.
 

Tickets on sale at the Regency Theater Online or Box Office
Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 7:00pm

DAMIAN CHAPA “BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT” STAR COMES TO OC AND WILL SPEAK AT SCREENING.

Damian Chapa, noted Mexican-American actor, director and producer, who’s starring role of “Blood In, Blood Out” (aka “Bound By Honor”), was one of the first by a Mexican-American actor, will appear at the Regency South Coast Village Theatre, on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM and present a screening of his latest film, “POLANSKI unauthorized”.

 'Arrested Development' script in works

21 hours ago | HollywoodReporter.com | See recent The Hollywood Reporter news » 

Narrator: Now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything ... and just may get some of it back.