Kate Drane is Indiegogo’s Senior Director of Outreach for Tech and Hardware. Her favorite thing to do is democratize access to resources, and considers herself as a VC of the people. Since starting at Indiegogo in July 2012, she's empowered more than 500 entrepreneurs to collectively raise over $80M on the Indiegogo platform, including Canary, Misfit, and Skulpt. For more information on Indiegogo go to www.indiegogo.com or connect with Kata on Twitter @katedrane. We met at the Industry conference in Cleveland http://indsum.com/.You can connect at www.laurapowers.net. You can also find her on facebook via Write Hot and follow her on twitter @thatlaurapowers. Laura also is now taking pre-orders for her new book Supernatural Survival Guide! You can get order the book and get great perks at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/supernatural-survival-guide-book/x/2967887#/.
Jeanne Veillette Bowerman is the Editor and Online Community Manager of Script Magazine and on Stephanie Palmer's list of "Top 10 Most Influential Screenwriting Bloggers." She is Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters’ chat, #Scriptchat, and wrote a Tracking Board Top 25 Launch Pad Competition selected script, the narrative adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, former senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. The limited series version of the same project was recently selected as PAGE Awards TV Drama Finalist. Jeanne also is President of Implicit Productions and consults with writers on how to build and strengthen their online and offline networks as well as face their fears in order to succeed in writing and in personal peace - a screenwriter's therapist. Laura and Jeanne met at Nashville Writer’s Conference where we talked about screenwriting and the metaphysical. To connect with Jeanne, you can go to http://jeannevb.com or follow her on twitter: @jeannevb. You can connect at www.laurapowers.net. You can also find her on facebook via Write Hot and follow her on twitter @thatlaurapowers. Laura also is now taking pre-orders for her new book Supernatural Survival Guide! You can get order the book and get great perks at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/supernatural-survival-guide-book/x/2967887#/.
Excerpt From The Podcast
"...hidden underneath this little character driven drama is actually an adaptation of three different stories. The first is the true life story of Chuck Wepner, a down and out fighter who went 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and was the inspiration for Rocky. At the same time, it is also an adaptation of the Rocky film. It is a reimagining of Rocky-- stripped all of Sylvester Stallone’s American dream sugar coating. And at the same time, it’s also an adaptation of a third film: an old movie from 1962 called Requiem for a Heavyweight. So here we have this unassuming character driven independent feeling little film, that looks like just a simple biopic, but under the surface, there is actually something very complicated going on..."
What writers can learn from the classic films of 1971.
1971 was a daring and progressive year in the history of movies. Coming off the political turmoil of the 60’s, films continued to break new ground in how stories could be told, particularly in tried and true genres. Films like THE FRENCH CONNECTION, KLUTE and DIRTY HARRY added grit and realism to the police procedural. HAROLD AND MAUDE and SUMMER OF ’42 dramatically updated romance. And films like A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and STRAW DOGS challenged adult audiences and the limits of sex and violence on the big screen. Even kid films went darker with efforts like WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. It was a nihilistic and turbulent time, but Hollywood storytelling ended up being all the better for it.
Writer/Producer Tylor Bohlman
Tylor Bohlman Talks About His Horror / Thriller Feature Jake's Dead
Austin Film Festival Co-Founder Barbara Morgan
Barbara Morgan Talks About Writing Fiction Podcast Scripts
Writer / Director Martin Koolhoven
Martin Koolhoven Talks About His New Western Feature, Brimstone
Writer/Director Ed Gass-Donnelly
He talks about his latest thriller film, Lavender
Writer / Director Mark Hanley
He talks about his new short film: Dark Afternoon
Writer / Director / Producer Bryan Bertino
He talks about his new horror film, The Blackcoat’s Daughter
Director Dagen Merrill
He talks About His New SyFy Channel Film, Atomica.
DC Comics’ “Wonder Woman” adaptation is one of the best comic book movies ever.
After the last few dour big screen efforts coming from the DC universe, “Wonder Woman” breaks the cycle with its upbeat origins story. Director Patty Jenkins, screenwriter Allan Heinberg, and star Gal Gadot have delivered an instant classic. It’s smart, funny, moving, and with World War I as its backdrop, it has genuine stakes that mean more narratively. Gadot, very much like Christopher Reeve in his 1978 “Superman” debut, makes virtue compelling and attractive. Her earnest Amazon princess Diana wants to save the world and that goodness drives how the story develops and every action set piece within. To put it simply, the film is wondrous.
The new “Twin Peaks” is as revolutionary a show today as it was in the 90’s.
Anyone expecting the return of “Twin Peaks” to be a warm and cuddly trip down memory lane doesn’t get David Lynch. The series he created with Mark Frost in 1990 revolutionized television with its complex “Who killed Laura Palmer” storyline. The show challenged narrative norms with its slower pace and trippy blend of horror, melodrama and mysticism. Today, the show is even more daring, adding Dadaism, surrealism, and scathing societal commentary to the mix. “Twin Peaks” remains a show that must be seen to be believed. It’s the water cooler of the summer.
SYS Episode 167
Dallas discusses how he found the screenplays for some of the most recent films he's produced.
“Alien: Covenant” is well done if all too familiar.
Ridley Scott is one of the greatest filmmakers working today. So why does “Alien: Covenant” feel so “been there, done that”? All the tropes from the franchise are there – face huggers, acidic blood, a plucky female heroine – but little is done to make them feel truly fresh. Scott’s heart seems to lie with the philosophical arguments about man vs. god explored, but clichéd horror action keeps getting in his way. Characters act incredibly dumb and die, plot twists are telegraphed a mile away, and the audience is left laughing or groaning instead of being terrified. And despite impeccable production values and smart turns by Michael Fassbender and Katherine Waterson, this prequel could have used more of what those alien double mouths have - more bite.
SYS Episode #166: Interview with Academy Award Winning Producer Tony Bill
Tony discusses how he finds the scripts he intends to produce
Excerpt from the podcast...
"...If you listened to my podcast on Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 1, you know that I’m a huge fan of James Gunn’s writing. Not just for the brilliant execution of pretty much every moment of his scripts, but also for his overarching use of Theme to give real emotional resonance to these goofy action sci-fi comedies.
So, it’s interesting to watch Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2 to see James Gunn both succeeding and struggling in the places he’s most strong…"
1967 movies were a turning point in the history of cinema.
This week, ISA members and film critics Jeff York and Gary Goldstein discuss the impact that films from the year 1967 had on the trajectory of cinema and how the entertainment industry is still feeling its impact 50 years later. Movies like THE GRADUATE, BONNIE & CLYDE, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, COOL HAND LUKE, GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER and UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE told fresh, bold stories about contemporary topics that struck a chord with both critics and audiences alike. Movies filled with antiheroes, counter culture themes, and topics like racial prejudice and sexual liberation became prevalent that year, and the movie world was better for it. In fact, 1967 set a course for Hollywood that turned the 70’s into the best decade ever for startling modernity on the big screen.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is a hilarious, heartfelt second chapter.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is already a huge hit at the box office worldwide and it’s easy to see why. Marvel Studio’s 2015 predecessor established a raucous, yet character-driven superhero franchise that was equal parts snark and heart. Now director/writer James Gunn has done it again with this sharply conceived sequel. He honors the comic book source material, raises the adventure stakes, and expands each character. Gunn even gives each one of his secondary characters a lot to do, including standout turns by Karen Gillan, Elizabeth Debicki, Michael Rooker, and new-to-the-franchise Kurt Russell. Most impressive is how Gunn incorporates old school shtick and repetition to make the gags even funnier, as well as how he creates genuine pathos throughout. This tent pole is chock full of both hilarity and heart.
Alexis Fedor's mission is to help artists of all disciplines build businesses that thrive in any market under any circumstances.
Aside from working as writer and performance artist in New York City with some of the best theater and dance companies, as well as film and television, Alexis has worked as a business developer for the last six years, helping businesses worth between $2 and $5 million grow their revenue both online and offline. As a result of the marketing plans she has designed for my clients, she's helped them bring in over $1,000,000.00 in revenue over the last three years.
Alexis has also mentored with some of the most talented and successful business owners in New York City who have helped shape the basis of my core business philosophy, which has enabled her to design a unique method of coaching, teaching and mentoring artists to build successful businesses.
Fedor intends to help every artist implement a profit plan that both aligns with their vision for their art and is suited for their unique business model and their lifestyle. So for each of my courses, free resources, and one-on-one coaching I have a three-step approach that works to achieve this:
It’s important that every artist receives the exact guidance they need for their specific situation. So she works together with artists to make sure they have what they need to get started on the right foot. This podcast and interview sheds light on how to approach yourself as the CEO of your business...not just a mere employee.
“Big Little Lies” weaves a twisting, complex tale of female empowerment.
David E. Kelley did a masterful job in adapting Liane Moriarty’s bestseller “Big Little Lies” as an HBO miniseries. The veteran Hollywood scribe brought her characters to vivid life and cast them perfectly with the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Laura Dern in key roles. Additionally, Kelley and director Jean-Marc Vallee translated Moriarty’s labyrinth tale of power, love and death in the affluent Monterey community with all its detail, nuance, and narrative complexity intact. The show incorporates flashbacks, foreshadowing, red herrings, and all kinds of symbolism, but none of it feels gimmicky. Instead, such devices only add more layers to this fascinating tale about female empowerment.
“Girls” ends six seasons on HBO as daring and unconventional as ever.
Love it or hate it, Lena Dunham stuck to her vision of “Girls” and consistently rendered a show that dramatically defied the conventions of storytelling, character arcs, and portrayals of women.
In many ways, it was an antidote to the glamorous world of New York singles presented by the likes of “Sex and the City” and “Friends.” This was a harsher show; blunter and more negative in its portrayal of struggles in the Big Apple. Additionally, “Girls” served as a hilariously caustic indictment of Millennial entitlement. Perhaps most importantly, the series reworked the rules of narrative, refusing to be driven by plot, and resisting overt character redemption. The girls may have started to become mature women by the end, but their steps were merely baby steps.
As part of The Story Farm consulting serivce, Max Timm has been working with Kelly McKain for a few months and has already helped her get set up with a manager and shop her projects around town - all while Kelly remains in her native UK. We're excited to have Kelly on board with the ISA and its Development programs as well, as we push to help her create a career as a working screenwriter.
Kelly is also a children’s and YA fiction author. She’s written over forty titles, including the bestselling Totally Lucy and Pony Camp Diaries series, and has been published in more than twenty languages. She is currently working on her YA fiction trilogy and TV series Green Witch, as well as family comedy feature Quirk’s and the Totally Lucy TV show, all of which are being developed with Max Timm and The Story Farm consulting and script development. Kelly lives in the UK, beside beautiful heathland in Surrey with her husband and their two children and enjoys dancing, yoga, natural horsemanship and drinking weird green stuff out of the Nutri-Bullet.
Join the ISA's Max Timm as he interviews one of the Development Program's recent inductees. Kylie Garcelon is also one of Max's consulting writers through his Story Farm personal coaching and development service.
Kylie Garcelon is a screenwriter currently living and working in NYC. Her most recent work, The Culinary Professor (2016), won Best Woman Filmmaker at the Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Dec) and Best Woman Filmmaker at the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards in addition to Best Short Documentary. It was also a nominee at the prestigious, 2017 IACP Awards. In 2015 Kylie wrote and directed 'Moral Compass' a narrative short which earned her a Best Director-Short Drama award at the 2016 Atlantic City Cinefest. It was nominated for Best Short Film – Drama, at the 2017 Winter Film awards and is nominated for three awards at the upcoming Northern Virginia Film and Music Festival. Kylie has just completed production as Writer-Director of her feature film, ‘The Dog Walker,' a psychological thriller which she began writing in 2016.