Kyle Thornton's Lounge Discussions

Today is my birthday! And just over a week ago I sold another screenplay! Hoping that script makes it all the way to the screen, because I've been stuck on only 19 produced scripts since 2009... lots of script assignments since then, but none made it all of the way to the screen (average for this biz is only 1 in 10 sold scripts or assignments makes it to the screen). Got paid, films did not get made. One had movie stars attached for a while. In addition to writing screenplays, way back in 1991 I started writing a column for what would become Script Magazine, and had at least one article in every issue until they went from print to online a couple of years ago. Now those articles, and tons of new material, are being used to update my old Blue Book series on screenwriting (Amazon), which is kind of my side job. Working on one of those now (though not today, because I'm trying to overdose on movies.) Back in 1998 I wrote a book on writing Action Films (but really any genre), SECRETS OF ACTION SCREENWRITING (http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Action-Screenwriting-fully-revised-ebook/d...) which is frequently recommended by famous screenwriters. There's a nice cover quote from the 3rd biggest Box Office screenwriter in the world, plus a quote from some Oscar Winning Screenwriter inside. I keep meeting screenwriters much more famous than I, who read it and loved it and recommend it. Weird. Because I wrote a series of screenwriting articles for Independent Film Channel Magazine (when it existed) and some for Movie Maker, I'm also working on a book for DIY filmmakers that mostly looks at the writing part but also has interviews with filmmakers I've met at festivals. Oh, yeah, I am also a sometimes Film Fest juror, and was on the jury at Raindance in London last year with Julian Assange (though never met him, he doesn't get out much). I've been on film fest juries several times... and do a little globe trotting due to that. Because my job consists of sitting on my butt all day, I got fat a few years back (fatter, actually) and decided to seal my car keys in an envelope (metaphorically) and ride my bicycle everywhere. Which makes me a freak in Los Angeles, and a problem when I go on studio lots for a meeting. Warner Bros has a strict policy that lot passes must be taped to the lower left corner of a car's windshield... and no one in security knows what to do if you show up on a bicycle. They have to call their superior. Taped to the handlebars is the answer. Because Clint Eastwood once took a golf club to a car parked in his spot at Warner Bros about a decade ago, when I had a meeting with a producer at the office next door a while back I purposely locked my bike in Clint's spot, hoping to make the news when he destroyed my bicycle with his golf club... but he was away shooting something that day! That's who I am, and now I must get my free breakfast at Denny's and see as many movies as possible for the rest of the day. (I love movies.)

Hello stage 32 peeps! My name is Kyle and I'm a former Nicholls fellowship semi finalist whose script Neon Messiah is currently optioned and in early pre-production with producer Michael Pollack of KK&P. I've recently done two projects for hire and am always looking for the next gig. If there are any producers out there who need a writer who specializes in action/adventure and dialogue, I'd love to send some spec samples and go from there. Thanks Kyle

Would love to hear the stories of people who had absolutely NO connections, none, NADA, within the industry who broke through to success. Seems like a majority of the success stories on Amazon, screenwriting forums, etc- come from people who passed their script through a friend at the studio they worked for, through a friend, or accquantance they knew or were already were well established in the industry in some shape or form, then decided to start writing scripts, etc etc etc. I know a lot of people get their pitches accepted for "script requests"- but as we all know, a script request does not always equal a deal in the long run. So, whose out there and what's your "Lone Ranger" story? Any more "Rocky- Sylvester Stallone stories? Rocky stories are good for the soul. LOL if your script/pitch request did not cement into a deal or a further writing job, or anything- it doesn't qualify. Just for fun guys/girls...Inquiring minds want to know....

Hey Stage 32 members. My name is Kyle Thornton. I'm an award winning writer/director with a script, Neon Messiah, a former Nicholls Fellowship semi-finalist, that's being produced by Michael Pollack, David E. Stockman and Frank Todaro. Exciting times as we are currently going out to talent and directors. I have another script, "Houdini...King of Spies" which is about to make the rounds as well. My new project is Stalker, an award winning short script, which I am directing myself. Would love to collaborate with a visionary producer to make this project happen. Some financing is in place, but looking forward to someone with experience to push it to the next level and make an awesome film. Can't wait to meet some of the talented people on this site.

When you're writing your screenplays, do you develop your characters completely before you begin the script, a little and then begin the script, or do you begin writing the script and let the character development happen within the script? The way I've done it in the screenplays I've worked on is somewhere in the middle. I lean more toward developing as much as I can during my outlining stage, and I just leave a little opening to see how my characters interact with each other, which could help to develop them also. I look at the flow of my writing to see which direction each character could go in, if that makes sense. So what about y'all?

Hey everyone. Im a new screenwriter/director looking forward to joining the Stage32 community. I've got some new projects coming up and look forward to collaborating with many of you. Thanks

Hello all! I'm a recent graduate from the University of Illinois theatre program just starting my post-undergrad career. My father recommended this website to me for networking. I'm interested in all types of acting (and possible modeling), with a special interest in voice acting and performance capture. I'm hoping to learn how to start in voice/performance capture professionally from actors in the business, and act internationally in animated/ interactive media. Any advice or resources would be greatly appreciated.