Juhani Nurmi's Lounge Discussions

great news!

Hot hot hot whew !!! ※(^o^)/※

Congrats again, Keith.

Cordial congrats & Godspeed, Keith!

Way to go, Keith! Always glad to hear about the success of a fellow writer! Best of Luck sir!

We're here for you, and with you, @Juhani! For me, the session was a testament to the claim that we are a safe space. Anywhere else on the internet would be more likely to turn ugly and defensive, and we all came together and sympathized. Several people even offered assistance! What a beautiful moment, even while we're all hurting.

@Juhani keep on writing. I appreciate you sharing your hurdles with the room as we are all pushing in the direction of putting our work out into the light. Yet, your passion for your work is evident so keep going with that. Our work is but an extension of ourselves but I know the amount of time and effort we put into it. Still, you created something in your scripts and that in and of itself is a win. Cheers, Reb

Juhani, It takes a lot of courage to express how we feel. And by doing this you also remind others who may be uncomfortable speaking up, that it's okay to do so. One day you will find the perfect fit for your writing. In the meantime - you are doing what you love. And that is awesome.

@Karen , @Rebecca & @Becky -- I salute you and bow my big bald head humbly in gratitude to your uber-kind words. Yes, it's true that I'm very passionate and intense ... and I've always tried to channel these formidable intrinsic energies into my narratives and my social networking in "The Light Side of the Force" manner (as often as possible). BUT ... after so many years in the business both as a film journo and a cinescribe, I suffer fools neither gladly nor longer, and if I encounter injustice and/or bad manners, I'm quick (and sometimes perhaps even too quick!) to point it out. I do hope that my outburst gave RB, Jason and Amanda something to think about, when it comes to the sometimes tumultuous and irrefutably fragile interaction between biz execs/managers and us creatives. It's more true than ever that we don't have to stand every kind of BS and Machiavellian 360 pranks thrown at us -- either directly via Skype/Zoom -- on in retrospective snarky/belittling comments in the feedback. It's both amazingly and ironically true that until you're properly produced, alas, a "made man" (or "made woman") in mob speak, you simply WILL NOT get much respect from these gatekeepers. They don't particularly care, if you'll be the next ROADKILL they drive by during their weekend virtual highway trips, feigning shock. Therein lies the rub: We LIVE and we DIE by our pitches and script submissions (whether by exec requests or annual screenplay competitions). Please let me elaborate a bit further. They often say that you've ONLY got ONE SHOT. This is ... partially very true. Some people's memories are short though. Fortunately. For me personally though, here's the creed I live by: If a Stage 32 exec/manager displays any kind of arrogance, rudeness or snarkyness, he/she are OUT in my book. I could give several examples from Stage 32. AS A RULE, I'LL AVOID PITCHING TO THAT EXEC AGAIN. Yes, I have done so a few times in moments of inner weakness -- cautiously opting to dip my battle-weary toe/s in that boiling hot water -- but each time the end result has been EXACTLY THE SAME. My conclusion (however subjectively skewed or biased it may be): That exec/manager simply does NOT like my face (I'm not the most handsome guy you ever saw), my way of pitching, my tone of story/voice OR my ideas. RB was very wise and kind in pointing out in direct reply to my outburst last week that if someone REJECTS you, it's just ONE PERSON'S OPINION. So very true. But if some of these precious industry people can't get their acts together in having the cojones/guts in meeting us virtually as human beings and creatives (and let's not even contemplate that tragic case with an exec taking a pitch in his/her car), we DON'T have to LIKE it. Finally, whatever quibbles or problemos we encounter, now more than ever, it's paramount to voice those directly to Jason and Amanda. Imho that is the ONLY way to maintain MOTIVATION, SAFETY and SANITY for us all involved in this community. Thanks for allowing me to voice another uber-exhaustive rant. I'll never learn my lesson ... (LOL) Cordially, Juhani

Juhani, you have mail :) - So thrilled you stepped out and bared your soul. Honestly, I think it was a gift to everyone in attendance. The support here has been overwhelming and speaks to the power of a like-minded, empathetic, and supportive community. And the members of this Writers' Room are all that and more. Quite honestly, I WISH I would have had this community when I first started writing. I can't imagine how it would have helped me in my journey, simply by having others around me to have experienced (or are experiencing) what I'm feeling and going through as a creative.

This is why the conversation about mental health is so important as well. We MUST take care of ourselves. We MUST always remember that we need to surround ourselves with as much happiness as possible and put OUR happiness first. We have more control than we give ourselves credit for and we must never relinquish that control to others. One person's opinion is just that - one person's opinion. If we listen, we might learn something. Or we may just decide that we appreciate the advice, but we're going to soldier on blazing the path the way we've intended. That becomes easier with experience and with support and that's the foundation of not only the Writers' Room, but what this entire platform was built on.

Cheers.

Welcome Maya, pleased to meet you!

Thanks James! Nice to meet you too :)

Nice to make your acquaintance and wishing you success.

Pitch decks are paramount nowadays. Have some experience in working with concept artists on those. Cordially welcome, Maya Zivkovich, kudos and Godspeed!

Thank you, Doug and Juhani :)

Well - you are off to a good start - write what you know. Good luck with this

Sounds good, family dynamics are inescapable and often compelling story material for which there is always an audience!

Sounds cool Maria Beigrund, keep at it and Godspeed, kindest regards from Helsinki, Finland!

Sounds fun! I'm sure you'll bring something fresh and interesting to the story. Have fun being awesome!

So great to have you here Maria Beigrund! I am glad we're connected on email and here. Sounds like you have a great project and I am excited to help you try and take it forward. And in the meantime, please don't be shy! Jump in these lounge conversations and help support other writers who are looking for help. Keep use posted!

Well, I just finished two rewrites of previous screenplays. I'm also beginning a new script today that I've been outlining for the past two weeks, so I think I'm ready to jump in.

https://youtube.com/channel/UCeQlVtH1RyISWadMXpZMRpQ

here’s the channel. Something new goes up on Mondays.

Recently finished adaption of Screenplay and TV Pilot from my .book which hit Amazon's top 30 thrillers in 2017 and won a literary award in the same year. Now for the hard part!

Second episode of a sitcom titled "Gene Therapy"

Just released my 14th sci-fi novel with Turtle Rocket Books, merging all my work into a sci-fi multiverse and I'm producing audiobooks for the last three books.

Keep following you dream Camilla Erlandsdotter. I really admire you for writing historical true stories. The research is fun, but man is it tough to write. I once worked on one and got about 10 pages in.

Hi Camilla Erlandsdotter! Cordial greetings from Helsinki, Finland. I've been pitching and submitting scripts here at Stage 32 for over two years now. Some good contacts yes, some good achievements (Quarterfinalist + Semifinalist) in competitions too, but no big scores (neither competitions wins nor optioned scripts) yet, despite having some heavy established hitters (Hollywood director attachments) and an Oscar winning special effects company attached. Be prepared to encounter some occasionally heavy age + nationality bias here, which may end up feeling very heavy and discouraging, but don't let that beat you down or demoralize you. A writer writes -- always -- and if your material is really good, someone will discover you, and you'll always remember your contemporaries and champions, I can promise you.

Didn't think it could get worse than it already is but you've imagined it!

I like it. You should give a go at writing it up. I can think of four plot avenues just from watching this.

Haha cheers. @James I have the concept and idea, where I would like the story to go. But to write out the entire script scene by scene isnt quite my forte

This is the perfect time to work at adding a new hyphenate - actor-composer-writer. If nothing else it might be a fun exercise.

I luv it! great job. I'd play a role for you anytime. my man

Despite having watched all the earliest Sean Connery and Roger Moore JB movies as a kid growing up in the 1970's in Finland, my own favorite of the bunch is CASINO ROYALE (2006). For me personally, it hits ALL the beats. I love the fact that it's an origin story. James Bond (Daniel Craig) is just about to earn his "00" kill license. He's young and cocky ... and learns many things throughout the movie the hard way. The love story between Bond and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) is handled adroitly. It has fantastic action, but also great dialogue scenes, romance and coda. I knew when I first saw it that Eon Productions (Barbara Broccoli + Michael G. Wilson) couldn't top it. And they still haven't. Not only CASINO ROYALE a fantastic James Bond movie. It's a fantastic MOVIE. Period. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5C7LMOWyYc

I'm old school - the only real James Bond was Sean Connery. It's true that many of the follow up films are good/excellent but their not 'James Bond' - just my pov.

No wrong opinions!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj9M34DzAKo

When we are talking about Steven Spielberg, Carl Gottlieb's script for JAWS (1975) shouldn't be overlooked. Riveting. Rousing. Taut. My own #1 fave film of all time alongside ALIEN (1979). Remember ... we'll ALWAYS need a bigger boat.

Hi Seraphima Nickolaevna Bogomolova 'brevity' as in being short. Also punchy and still cinematic. Not 'brave' :)

I found "Stranger than Fiction" a true pleasure to read. Made me laugh out loud, and I found it wonderfully fresh and original. Haven't seen the movie yet, still on my to watch list.

IMO: David Lynch is clearing going for something outside of traditional narrative, which he largely makes work very well. I'm with Juhani Nurmi on the script for Alien - which I remember having a great, staccato style. Aliens is also a very well written, punchy, clear, authoritative-feeling script. I remember Risky Business being an especially good script as well - though in general, I think any script where one has already seen the movie will have a large advantage in "readability".

congrats!

Thanks everyone! Great to get recognised locally. I’m not holding out much hope of the festival going ahead with audiences at this point, Craig D Griffiths but we can hope!!!

Congrats!!

Two BIG thumbs up, Matt -- CORDIAL CONGRATS with brotherly love from Helsinki!

Terrific! Congratulations.

If you rename your character to Adam (I'm assuming he's a strong character) - you could call him Adam Ant.

Doug, "she" is a strong character, lol.

Doug Nelson Ant music for Ant people.

Everyone on our pit crew had a nickname - To Tall and Adam Ant were a pair to draw to.

Go to the Google or Bing translate, look up the history of the word, etymology, then find a translation. O R, look for synonyms in a thesaurus, or find one of the shakespeare lists, he has plenty of colorful other ways of describing people. I can tell you the chinese word for child is pronounced rung, heavy on rolling the "r" sound, I can't tell you how its truly spelled. The word diminutive comes to mind, but then so does an old mark twain saying, never use a fifty cent word when a nickel one will do. And what that thinking goes to, is keep in mind you're writing to the masses, if you want big numbers of people to be interested.

Mind your business or at least be in the loop of what's going on before you confront anyone on here. If you think I was impatient and rude then you may want to read my reply again. You don't know the history of Tasha's answers she gives. It's always the same. I had a screenwriting question about rewording and she gave me the same standard answer. I have no idea why she does this. If someone doesn't want to answer a question then don't! Read ML's and Dan's answers then read Tasha's. The least I want to achieve on S32 is connecting with knowledgeable people. I'm grateful of the people I've come in contact with that have been helpful. I don't need you or her. Sorry.

Charles, you may want to review the rules and regulations regarding etiquette on the web site. If you are going to make accusations about people's character who are trying to encourage, help or support members, that is not how we grow as a community. I provided a solution to your need. In all my research and counsel, I have found that the Frequently Asked Question section on all web sites, provides direction that will lead you to an answer. Many individuals are unaware or unfamiliar with this. Maybe instead of using your approach, just say Thank you and move on. I offered a suggestion. If you are having a rough day like many of us these days, try mediation and prayer. Have a great week!

Time out kids.

Tasha, there's no block button or mute button so I respectfully ask you to please stop bothering me. Thank you for your help.

Charles,I referred this to Jason with Stage 32. Please discuss it with him. I didn't say anything negative, I keep trying to leave it on a positive tip. Just read the transcript.