Yearly Archives: 2015

In which A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL reaches the Stage 32 semi-finalists…

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My supernatural Western screenplay A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL has advanced to the semi-finals of the Stage 32 Happy Writers Search for New Blood screenwriting contest.

From the announcement: “Our 2nd Annual Stage 32 Happy Writers Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest was a record breaker! We received thousands of scripts from all over the world looking to compete in what has become one of the most highly respected screenwriting contests in the industry.”

Here’s the full list:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Stage-32-Happy-Writers-Search-For-New-Blood-Semi-Finalists-Announced?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=cake#comments

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In which A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL makes the Stage 32 Search for New Blood quarterfinals

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My supernatural Western A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL has made the quarter-finals of the Stage 32 Happy Writers Search for New Blood Screenwriting Competition.

I’m quite pleased about that.

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Competition was fierce, as there were thousands of entries. Congratulations to the other quarter-finalists.  Here is the announcement of the full list.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Stage-32-Happy-Writers-Search-For-New-Blood-Quarter-finalists-Announced?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=cake

 

In which the Author gives a class on writing non-fiction…

Do you have the next A Year in Provence in you? What about another bestseller like The Suspicions of Mr Whicher? Did you know it is generally easier to get non-fiction published as compared to a novel?
My next bijou writing class will be on Saturday 7th November and will cover all kinds of non-fiction. Location: Gers, Southwest France.
Ideal for anyone interested in writing:
    Autobiography / memoirs / biography
    History of any kind
    Practical / how-to books
    Travel / Exploration / Guidebooks
    Arts / Culture
    Science / technology
    The paranormal / folklore / mysteries
    Social sciences
    True crime
    … you name it
We’ll cover:
    Universal basics of writing non-fiction
    Research, Illustrations, Copyright
    Structure, Narrative, Style & Voice
    Getting Published
Fee is €23 for the full day.
Your tutor is the author of 36 non-fiction books (and much more besides).
To book tel 05 62 09 91 19 or email geoffholder1@mac.com
WRITING NON-FICTION poster

In which A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL is requested by Maximum Film & Management…

The screenplay for my supernatural Western feature A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL has been requested by Maximum Films and Management in New York.

A SIX-GUN FOR THE DEVIL

I’m quite chuffed about that.

The request came after a Happy Writers pitch session on Stage 32.

Now it’s back to the fourth redraft of my ‘zombie movie without any zombies’….

Table Reads – Screenwriter seeks Advice and Protocol

Fountain pen on writer

I have two screenplays (horror and sci–fi) I want to take to market. Before I do so, however, I want to make sure they are the best they can be. Part of my plan is to use table reads – the perfect opportunity to discover some unspeakable dialogue or clunky exposition. I want to record the read on audio.

I’ve never done a table read. So, what I’m looking for are the protocols / best practice:

1) I can’t pay anyone, so what should I offer as basics (food, drink etc.)?

2) Other than the usual registering of the scripts, are there any legal issues? Should I ask everyone participating to sign a waiver saying they have no legal claim on the table read performance and recording, and/or a NDA? Any examples of relevant pro formas that do the job without being intimidating?

3) Scripts – distributed as hard copies or as electronic copies? Should I expect actors to print out their scripts or print them for them?

4) How should I cast for the roles? Invite people to contact me, send them a script sample, and listen to them over the phone? (For a table read it’s the voice that counts, not the physical appearance of the actor.) Or is there a better way? Skype? Something else? What would you prefer? Should I post a list of roles and ask actors to ‘pitch’ for one or the other?

5) I think I should start the read by asking everyone present to give their name, the name of the character they are playing, and a one-line description of the character, starting with the leads. Good idea?

6) Should scripts be marked up in any way? Or will actors do that themselves?

7) Should I ‘direct’ the read? Stop the proceedings and ask an actor to read in a certain way? Or let it flow?

8) Pre-read briefing for all actors around the table (for tone, style, etc.). Good idea?

9) Anything else I’ve missed?

And now it gets weird. Anyone ever done a VIRTUAL table-read, with everyone sitting at home?

The reason I ask is because I live in the middle of nowhere, in a country where few speak English.

I’m therefore wondering if the technology would allow me to do a virtual table read, with actors from around the world sitting in the comfort of their own homes. Anyone ever done anything like that?

Any thoughts you have will be greatly appreciated. geoffholder1@mac.com

In which the Author coaxes a screenplay out of its shell….

I’m currently coaxing a spec sci-fi feature screenplay to move from the 4th to the 5th draft. Then I’ll hopefully start on the marketing. Here’s a hint of what it’s about:

Digital Illustration of a Dragon

PS The website has been spring cleaned. You’d be amazed what I found behind the furniture. Anyway, it’s neater now, I think.