Jason Todd: Screenwriter in Grande Prairie, Canada.

Congrats, that's awesome!

Congrats!! That's wonderful!! :)

WTG, Lisa! Wind at your back!

Ooo... I'd love for you to start a new post to expand on those Cinematic Luts! Was the deal for a used camera or just on sale?

We love our BMPCC4K, just finished a feature using it with Sirui 35mm Anamouphic lenses, you may want to check those lenses out. :)

I love our BMP4K too. We got it about two years back and it's awesome. We though we'd use it for our own and smaller projects but we've been able to use it in a couple of more budget projects too and it made such a difference with the BRAW and being able to grade so awesome in Davinci.

I just love it.

But we did get a focal reducer and put EF lenses on it.

Thank you both! That's really helpful. The Olympics is key to the story - which is true. But love the suggestions:
The true story of an Olympic skier turned decorated RAF fighter pilot, who overcomes life-changing injuries to succeed at his passions, but discovers even heroes need help when his life is torn apart by his mother’s unexpected suicide.

Hi Meghan,

I think the obstacles/conflict needs to be what prevents him from going from former Olympian to successful RAF fighter pilot - we also need some hint at the motivation to do this (is there a war, or other stake?)

As you've already told us he overcomes life-changing injuries to go from Olympian to RAF pilot at the beginning of the logline, the goal, stake conflict after that are out of alignment.

Hi Meghan, here's all your elements with the words rearranged a bit:

"In the aftermath of his mother’s suicide, an Olympic skier turned decorated RAF pilot must overcome life-changing injuries that threaten to destroy his family and career."

... and if essential, this could be tacked on the end: "...and discovers even heroes need help sometimes. Based on a true story."

I think I just found my next project :) We've got enough chainsaws for a proper horror / comedy, but that probably wouldn't be good for business.

Hey Jason, thanks for starting the chat in this group! Nice to meet you, glad that 2020 gave you time to get back into writing :-) What is the story you're working on for this course?

Hi Jennifer, nice to touch base. The project I'm working on for the Lab is called "Film School of Hard Knox" about a film student who just lost her scholarship, and her professor trying to get his life back on track after a mid-life crisis. They turn to crime to solve their money issues, but the line between fiction and reality is blurred when they take inspiration from Hollywood and end up stealing from the mob.

Love to hear what you're working on Jennifer -

cheers, J

I had a chance to check out your concept for the show you're working on for the Lab - very cool idea! I'm sure you've got lots of great stuff to work with from your time at the Jekyll & Hyde restaurant. I love shows that take you 'behind the scenes'. Good luck with your pilot.

Hey Mike - thanks for sharing all your info :-) I read you're show concept too, totally agree with Jason that you have some great stuff to work with and excited to read your pilot (if you're willing to share) when it's done! I will check out Mystery Mansion too - thanks for sharing!

Yeah I always start with an outline then write the scenes in chronological order -- however sometimes I get inspired and write whole scenes that are to happen later in the outline. Then I go back to the main script, and continue writing -- once I get to a spot in the story that I've already "pre-written" then I'll open my "extra" file and copypaste the scene into the main script. Even after I think I'm done the whole thing, I'll sometimes go back and add scenes based on what I've recently learned via information syphoned through Stage 32.

So yeah, it's good to have a pre-determined structure but it's not necessary (in my experience) to live and die by it right down to to last letter.

Write the climax first (hero changes her ways and 'wins'). Then work back and write the midpoing/plot point 2 (hero makes a big bad choice and opposite of climax occurs). Then work back to plot point 1 (hero chooses to enter the journey). The only major plot point the hero does not actively control is the first one, the inciting incident (something happens TO her). From there, beat it out using cue cards scene by scene, or just start writing. As long as you have those four major plot points mapped out the final product will be stellar.

My first 2 or 3 scripts were heavily outlined. Then I fell off the outline wagon. And it is a baaad habit. I find that it is harder to write that way. I'm writing a new one and forced myself to do an outline and it is going much more efficiently. Loving it. Either spend the time on the front end or stare at the blank page wondering where to go next for hours on end. You choose ;)

Thank you for your kind words!! :)

Congratulations!! Pitching is my biggest road block. I actually learned some things reading those comments. Think I need to take some acting lessons....

YES GIRL!!!! Time to dance <3 So happy for you :)

I found this online when I was working on my own pitch deck. Has some samples:

https://kaneholder.com/blog/how-to-write-a-tv-show-bible-that-sells-temp...

If you're looking for images, here's a site that offers some great (and free!) stock photos and videos:

https://www.pexels.com

There is also this blog with 10 examples: https://www.stage32.com/blog/10-TV-Series-Bibles-You-Must-Download-and-Read

You definitely need skill and talent to write good stories and if you place anywhere in good competitions then you definitely have that but I’d say less luck and more subjective. That’s what art and craft is all about though. Some competitions will like it and others won’t just as some people will love it and others won’t. The joy is in creating a story that you love, putting in the hard work and skill to craft it and tell it well and the grit in getting through all those rejections to come out the other side. There’s not a well known writer that hasn’t been through the same thing. You’re doing what you enjoy, you’re doing well and just keep going and congrats on the top 10 placement that’s awesome!

It's skill. The majority of entries into any contest aren't great concepts and are poorly written like a first draft. If you write a competent script, it will get you through the first round of most contests except for maybe the top ones like Nicholl Fellowship.

As far as the top 10% and finals, there are a number of professional contest people that keep entering their winning scripts year after year. That does make the competition tough even at smaller contests.

In answer to you Dan Max, I didn't pay anything. They sent me the list of winners and I just found my name. I'm a photoshop wiz, so I plopped the "Table Read banner" up there so people would know what contest it was for.

Back to contest navigation, I'm of the belief that there are a lot of great writers out there and we are all helping and competing against each other for recognition/entry. What I've tried to do over the years is analyze the different competitions and see what style of winners certain contests choose. Then self-asses: am I a good fit or not based on research, BUT it still comes down to 1st round readers. They have to like your stuff and send it up the river. That is just a subjective opinion of our literary work/art. Only solution I see is to trust the process... I guess. Diversify and self publish as well to build your own groundswell so when you do hit a couple it dovetails nicely. (shrug)

Christopher Phillips, that's a little disconcerting to hear. I suppose past winners can keep entering if you didn't get the grand prize; get another shot, but damn. That makes it tough.

That's great news Jon, and good luck with your series bible!

Martin Reese Thank you! Yes, it most certainly is. Good luck with getting your coverage in The Writer's Room!

@Jason Todd Thanks!!

Jason Todd Thank you so much! Who knows, maybe that'll be the next script I option.

I'm so glad you're smelling the roses now, you deserve it. Your inspiration seed will grow roses for others going through terrible plights. Congratulations, I'm sure the best is yet to come. Thank you for sharing your success story here.

Gayle Herbert Robinson Thank you so much! I cannot tell you how touched I am by everyone's kind response.

Thanks for sharing, Jason!

Thank you for sharing this

My pleasure - thanks to everyone for stopping by!

Welcome Jason!

Thanks everyone, and thanks for heads up Aray - I've been checking out the Writers Room on a trial, lots of great resources. Love the Pitch Tank videos.

Definitely saw a lot of Canada growing up! Six people in my family and we were all born in different provinces.

The places I've lived haven't made it into any stories yet, but I do find my characters always end up having brothers and sisters. I love sibling dynamics.