Zaib Shaikh/ Sam Witwer

This is from my www.badcb.blogspot.com website, but it's relevant to The Vertex Fighter.

Zaib Shaikh: He is the lead actor in the TV show Little Mosque on the Prairie on CBC. He has recently confirmed me as his friend on Facebook. I have seen one episode of this show. They're going into their 6th season in Jan. 2012. It's kind of funny about a Muslim community living in a small town. I'm not Muslim, but I did find the show had a quirky small town feeling like the other Canadian show Corner Gas.

If you want to know more about him, I copy and pasted his info from Facebook onto my www.thevertexfghter.blogspot.com website. This is from Facebook:

"Star of CBC’s hit comedy, Little Mosque on The Prairie, Zaib Shaikh has worked across Canada as an actor, director and producer.

Most recently he co-wrote, directed and co-produced the Gemini Award winning tv film, Othello, the Tragedy of the Moor.

His other television work includes lead or guest starring roles in Metropia, Da Vinci’s City Hall and The Dead Zone. Upcoming Zaib will be in Deepa Mehta’s latest film, Midnight’s Children, adapted from the novel by Sir Salman Rushdie. Radio listeners may have heard Zaib on CBC Radio One as he is a regular guest host for Jian Ghomeshi on Q and has been featured in Afghanada.

Currently Zaib is in development with a variety of television and film projects under the banner of his production company, Governor Films.

Zaib has had the pleasure of working with some of the largest theatre companies in Canada including Canadian Stage, National Arts Centre, Globe Theatre, Grand Theatre and the Stratford Festival of Canada.

Zaib has served as an Artistic Producer for Whistler Theatre Project, is a graduate of the joint University of Toronto/Sheridan College Acting Program and holds an MFA in Directing from the University of British Columbia.

Zaib is also a Consulting Producer for the Gemini Award nominated Little Mosque on the Prairie and has received a Leo Award for his performance as Imam Amaar Rashid. He has also served on juries and committees for Gemini Awards, ACTRA Awards, Ontario Arts Council and Theatre Ontario Youth Theatre Program. Currently Zaib is a board member for the Canadian Centre for Diversity and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

When not working in film, television, theatre or radio, Zaib has traveled across Canada and the world speaking on the power of Arts and The Media as a platform to greater understanding between Eastern and Western culture."

The Vertex Fighter actors: I will throw in Zaib Shaikh to make an appearance in The Vertex Fighter. I can see him as a guy hanging out in the club.

I wrote about Sam Witwer before. He's the vampire Aidan on the supernatural show Being Human. I can see him as a fighter.

The Vertex Fighter actors/ Degrassi actors

This is from my blog www.badcb.blogspot.com and it's relevant to my The Vertex Fighter script.

Dec. 12 The Vertex Fighter actors: Last night I woke up at 3am, and then I wrote down that I thought Aaron Douglas from The Bridge should be in The Vertex Fighter. He could play Banks. On The Bridge, AD plays the lead who's very serious, focused, smart, authoritative figure. Those are similar traits to Banks.

Degrassi actors: On the TV show Degrassi, I have mentioned that I really like James Edward Campbell (Fitz on the show.) There was a MMA storyline given to the character Drew played by Luke Bilyk. I can see him as a fighter. I do like Degrassi, so I might as well throw in all the actors from season 10 who I want to see make an appearance in The Vertex Fighter. These are the actors and the characters they play on Degrassi:

Landon Liboiron as Declan Coyne: He plays a good kid, so I see him as an extra.
Argiris Karras as Riley Stavros: Good kid, maybe a fighter.
Raymond Ablack as Sav Bhandari: Good kid, maybe a fighter.
Shannon Kook-Chun as Zane Park: Good kid, maybe a fighter.
Munro Chambers as Eli Goldsworthy: Good kid, extra.
Daniel Kelly as Owen Milligan: He plays a bully, so a fighter.

There are only 5 core characters. But the Degrassi actors can like all be extras and sit in the audience in the the Vertex club scenes.

Kris Andrews

Back in 2009, I was trying to get the Edmonton boxer Kris Andrews in my TV movie The Vertex Fighter. Here are two blog posts from my www.badcb.blogspot.com about it. He rejected it. However, I do see him as a fighter if he wants to make an appearance in it.

Jul. 6, 2009 blog post:

Kris Andrews: I'm going to admit something to you. A few months ago, I tried to get Edmonton boxer Kris Andrews in my movie. At the same I was trying to get MMA fighter Kit Cope in it, but they were supposed to play 2 different roles. I first learned about KA when I saw him in an ad for the fight Blunt Force Trauma.

I went to his site www.krisandrews.ca and emailed his manager. The manager and I emailed each other. I sent them the script. After 2 weeks, KA turned it down, but they wished me luck. I was disappointed. I tried to comfort myself by saying: "There are 100 guys out there who would love to do your show right now."

That does remind me of that TV show 2gether where Jerry (Evan Farmer) says right before a performance. It's about a fictional boy band back in 2000.

Jerry: I can't perform.
Manager: What? What do you mean you can't perform? If you don't, there are 18 O- town rejects who would love to take your place right now.

Jul. 16 2009 blog post:

Kris Andrews: I think I need closure. I have still kept all the emails between Kris Andrew's manager Ken Franczek. I first sent the email pitching my script trying to get KA in my movie on May. 1:

Ken:

Hello Tracy;

This sounds very interesting. Please send me the rest of the information and i will review it with Kris.

To Ken Franczek:

Thank you for getting back to me. I have attached the 93 page script in this email. Give it to Kris to read and see if he's insterested.

Tracy Au

May 4:

Hello Tracy ;

When do you intend to film this and how many weeks or months do you believe it will take? Kris has 2 very important fights scheduled. One in June and one in August. With the amount of training required for these fights, time is very scarce.

Ken Franczek

Hi Ken

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm not sure how long it would take to film this, but I am willing to work around Kris's schedule and start filming after his 2 important fights. As long as you agree to be in the project, we will accommodate Kris. Has he read the script? Does he want the lead role or just be one of the fighters in it?

Tracy Au

I'm pretty sure he might be interested in the lead role. We'll talk about it some more this week and we'll let you know shortly.

Ken Franczek

May 11

Hi Ken

Last week you said: "I'm pretty sure he might be interested in the lead role. We'll talk about it some more this week and we'll let you know shortly. Ken Franczek"Well it's been about a week. I called you on Friday and left a message. I also called you today and left a message. Have you or Kris made a decision yet?

Tracy

I am just landing back in Edmonton as I write this email returning from a business trip in Vancouver. My daughter did mention that you had called on Friday however I did not have an opportunity to return your call. I sense in your email that you are somewhat agitated. I will speak with Kris again tomorrow however; I certainly hope that you appreciate that we do have other day to day commitments and are not always able to contacted at your convenience.

Regards Ken Franczek

May 15:

Hi Ken

Well it's been the end of another week, and you haven't answered if Kris will be in The Fighter. You say: "I will speak with Kris again tomorrow however; I certainly hope that you appreciate that we do have other day to day commitments and are not always able to contacted at your convenience."

I'm trying to be patient while waiting for your reply. Please get back to me.

Hello Tracy ;

Once again my apologies for taking so long to get back to you. I only just yesterday had an opportunity to sit down with Kris to discuss this project.

Unfortunately, we are going to have to decline. As you have probably determined by virtue of our delayed correspondence, we are both extremely busy and Kris was concerned that he would not be able to make the type of total commitment required for a project like this.

Both Kris and I would like to thank you once again for considering him and would also like to wish you the best of luck on this endeavor.

Ken Franczek
On Behalf of Kris Andrews

producer/ Big Soul Productions

This is from my personal blog called Tracy's Blog at www.badcb.blogspot.com. There's a little progress in getting The Vertex Fighter script produced and I learned about another TV production company.

Nov. 30 Producer: Onto some good news, today a producer called me, but I wasn't home. I called back, but he wasn't there either. I told him to email me.

Big Soul Productions: I read the Working section in the Edmonton Journal about a TV production company called Big Soul Productions. It's in Toronto and it's Aboriginal owned and operated company.

Canadian male actors

This is also on my blog www.badcb.blogspot.com. It's relevant to this blog.

Canadian male actors: I've been procrastinating about writing my post for my The Vertex Fighter blog. I have to write a post. This should get my creative juices flowing. These are the following Canadian male actors I see in it. What I have learned, is that Canadian actors go on Canadian shows.

I can see Gabriel Hogan as a bad guy. I've seen him play good guys on Heartland, Flashpoint, and The Best Years. He was a bad guy on The Bridge. I think because he's 38, he can play one of the older bad guys. Here's his pic:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0389527/

The older brother role is supposed to be smart and mature. I've said I would give to Giles Panton (Flash Gordon) as my first choice. Now I think Craig Olejnik (star of The Listener) can play him. CO plays a good guy paramedic so I can naturally see him as the brother.

I can see Travis Milne (Chris Diaz from Rookie Blue) in it because he plays a good guy cop.

I can see my favorite Edmonton actor Eric Johnson (Rookie Blue) play the older brother, but also a bad guy too. He often plays bad guys like Whitney from Smallville.

There's Danijel Mandic, who was on Flashpoint. He's a good actor in the episode "Between Heartbeats", playing a guy who takes revenge on the SRU team. I can see him as a fighter. I also see Kerry James from Heartland as a fighter.

Take Down Entertainment/ Spooktree Films/ June short film

This is from my "Tracy's Blog" at www.badcb.blogspot.com. I'm going to put it here because it's relevant to The Vertex Fighter.

Oct. 24 Take Down Entertainment: I found this on my TV production search. It's about promoting mix martial arts (MMA). Check it out:

http://www.takedownentertainment.com/

Oct. 25 Spooktree Films: I was pitching my script and I found this production company called Spooktree Films. I saw the trailer to Whisper Creek. It's a really good sci-fi/ action story. It takes place at a mental hospital and Jimmy is a patient who doesn't talk. A woman comes to visit him and then transmits a power to him.

Later that night Jimmy starts talking and he gets into a fight and escapes from the hospital. There was good suspense, tension, and mystery involved. Check it out:

http://www.spooktree.com/

Mike Miller: I also found this 5min short film while pitching my script. It's called Oops. It's about CIA operatives tracking down a terrorist for 6 months. There's going to be a review soon, and if they don't show any progress, they will lose funding and their jobs. They decided to doctor pictures that they found the terrorist in these cities. However, the plan kind of goes sideways.

I really liked it and was impressed with it. It could be used as the first five minutes of a feature length film, and the lie gets bigger and bigger. Check it out, it's only 5min:

http://writer-director.com/

Oct. 26 June short film: I was looking for more production companies and I found one called nine40. Here's the short film June. I watched the 2min, 50 sec clip. It was shot so beautifully as a guy tells a story of how he fell in love with a girl.

It starred Kerry James (Caleb from Heartland) as a cowboy. Not too much of a stretch for him. I really liked it, check it out:

http://vimeo.com/channels/nine40

Script pitch: Today was my day off and it was very productive. I looked for a job and I pitched my script. A producer emailed and called me today saying that he wants to read it. So I sent it to him.

Pitching my script is what drives me. When someone shows some interest in my script, I get excited and this rush comes. It's like I'm making progress.

Giles Panton

Giles Panton is a Canadian actor I can see playing Carson in The Vertex Fighter. I've been in contact with him for awhile. I documented him on my blog www.badcb.blogspot.com. I then combed through my weekly emails/ blog posts and here they are:

Nov. 13, 2009

Saying: "If you don't like something about your life, do something about it." I went and emailed the TV producer if he has read my script yet. I also emailed the actor Giles Panton to see if he has decided to be in my movie or not. It's been about a month since I heard from either of them.

Nov. 25, 2009

Giles Panton: In other news, I checked my email and on Facebook, the actor Giles Panton said he invites everybody to watch him on the TV show V. I caught the last half of the episode, and saw him play an alien. He basically said his lines in a robotic kind of tone. It was good to see him.

Jan. 9, 2010

Joe (Giles Panton): He is Dale's fiancee. He is the obstacle between Dale and Flash. He is also a cop so he can get information on the weird things that come from Mongo that happen in town. (Flash Gordon).

Jan. 17 2010

Graham Wardle: I remember checking him out on Facebook a long time ago, and I only saw a fan group. Today I checked him out again, after watching his show Heartland. He's on Facebook, so I emailed him and added him as a friend. I told him that I did pitch my script The Fighter to the production company Seven 24 that produces his TV show. The company had read the script and rejected me back in summer 2009. I told them that I saw GW as my lead.

In my friend request email to GW, I told him that I saw him as my lead. It may spark his interest. He either emails me back and confirm me as his friend like the actor Giles Panton did (Joe on Flash Gordon.)

Jan. 28, 2010

Giles Panton: Today I emailed this actor on Facebook. I'm trying to get him in my movie. I haven't heard from him since October. He emails me right back saying he's interested in reading my new draft of The Fighter. I sent it to him with the document that listed all the changes.

I told him that it's interesting that he wants to read it. The producer John Kerr hasn't read it yet. I told GP I got the Flash Gordon dvds (he's on the show) and he tells me that he didn't even know it was out on dvd. lol.

Oh my God, I just saved the above paragraph, and he emails me back saying he'll give it a read. lol.

Mar. 7 2010

Giles Panton: I went on Facebook and saw that the actor Giles Panton (Joe from Flash Gordon) was online. I'm trying to get him in my script. At 10:35pm, I started an online chat with him:

Me: hey have you read The Fighter changes yet?
Giles: no ma'am
Me: ok
Giles: gotta get up early. on set for v tom. have a good night hun.
Me: busy with your play?
Giles: just finished the play. now on to more tv. sleep well.

Oh my God, I can't believe I'm like talking to him. Now I understand what he meant. He's on the sci-fi TV show V. He was on one episode last season. He told all his friends on Facebook to watch him on that ep, and I did. It's good that he's going to be on more episodes and getting more work.

He was advertising his play on Facebook for a month or so.

I found his myspace page: www.myspace.com/gilespanton

March 14, 2010

Giles Panton: I was watching Human Target with my sister, and then the actor Giles Panton pops in as this woman's date. I was like: "Ahh! Giles Panton!" I put that up on my Facebook status and on GP's Facebook wall.

April 11, 2010

Then Giles Panton makes an appearance on the American show Human Target. All those shows are shot in Vancouver.

May 5, 2011

I then went on Facebook, and the actor Giles Panton had this Martin Luther King Jr. quote about how we're celebrating a hated person's death.

My production company/ saying/ script pitch

I put this on my personal blog called www.badcb.blogspot.com, but I do find it has relevance to The Vertex Fighter:

My production company: I was going through this Edmonton magazine Frost Fire issue Fall 2007. I see this ad for Microbusiness Training Centre. It can help and train you to start a business. Then I thought: "I'll start my own production company." I emailed them and I'm waiting for their reply.

I'm sure a lot of you guys think: "That's a crazy idea. Why?" Well I've been pitching my script for nearly 4 years to all these production companies in Canada. I've been rejected by all of them. I might as well start my own company and produce this script.

Check out their website: www.microbusiness.ca

Oct. 10: I read the ad and it said that if you have been on EI in the past 3 yrs, I may qualify to get paid while I learn how to make my own business. It also said if I'm under 34 yrs old, I could qualify for business financing through the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. We'll see.

I have never thought to make my own production company until last week. I always thought of getting my script produced through a company or working at a studio.

Saying: I found this on the National Post business section on Sept. 27, 2011. There was a blog written by a recent graduate named Greg Illson. He wrote about getting an MBA and he said: "Sometimes the best way to get out of a rut is to make your own path."

When I was 11 yrs old, I did go to a TV audition and I got rejected. I then thought: "I'll write my own script and give a role for myself." I even remember years later Halle Berry even said that about how there should be more good roles for women, and to write the roles. I was at Deb Green Casting website recently and it said the same thing that HB said.

By creating my own production company, I am creating my own path.

Script pitch: I haven't done this in a few months, but I found some more contacts to pitch my The Vertex Fighter script to.

Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (Evan Jobb blog post)

Today is my day off so I have some free time. I found the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition. There is this great blog from a writer Evan Jobb here:

http://www.screenplay-contest.com/blog/

The last few paragraphs of Sept. 14, 2011 is great. That's why I copy and pasted it here. Everything he says here, I totally agree with him. He talks about how he writes about one idea and a year later, he goes back to the idea and then changes it a lot and it only resembles the idea. That happens to me.

In The Vertex Fighter, it was originally supposed to be about a girl as the lead and as a fighter. Then it turned to a guy and there's some family drama added to it. I'm going to bold the things that I agree with in his post.

"This change in pace brings up a point about writing. Something that we all have to accept and live with. What you write is dependent on where you are currently in your life. It is dependent on your mood, your experiences, your friends, family, your inspiration, your job situation, your living conditions, and everything else around you at the time you put that pen to paper. Everything you think, feel, see or act upon affects your writing. And though at the time of planning this story I was in the mood to take on this gloomy tale with a serious tone and put my protagonist through this own personal hell, today I am not in the mood to do this without a bit of a smile here and there. My current state of mind has changed and so the story changes with me.

Any story I write at this moment would be monumentally different if I wrote it a year from now. And I just accept it. I wonder if it would be better or worse if I wrote it later, but in the end it would probably just be different. It is helpful though when going through your notebook to know that any idea you couldn’t develop at the time, may be seen in a different light later on. So keep writing down any idea you have, even if it may not be of much interest to you now because who knows how you will feel later. My 9th place script Near-sighted was written based on an idea I wrote a good year before I felt ready to write the script (and the script only barely resembled that earlier idea).

No matter when you write something, it will always be the story you want to write. My idea may have changed, but only because I have changed. In the end, the central idea of the story is still there, I have just decided to explore it in a different way. And in the end, I once again have a feature I want to write. Now, I just need some more cue cards…"

It so inspirational to read that blog post.

To Blogger: This is not a spam blog

To Blogger: This is not a spam blog

This is not a spam blog. I'm saying that straight up. I created this blog to promote my TV project The Vertex Fighter. Please do not delete it.

I haven't written much here because I feel like you are going to delete it, but I want this blog to stay up. Thank you.

Michael Trucco

Michael Trucco: I can see Michael Trucco in The Vertex Fighter playing the bad guy Banks. I've seen him play a bad guy on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit ep "Smut." I've also seen him play a firefighter on Tru Calling ep "Putting out Fires." That was the first time I've seen him.

I then became a fan after I saw the SVU ep, and put on my Tru Calling dvd and watched the ep again. I checked him out on Youtube. He's most well- known for being in Battlestar Galatica.

On Youtube, I went and watched the California Dreams ep he was in. I went and watched Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, Charmed (I've seen him before there, but forgot), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (same, seen him, forgot him), .

I then tuned in watched The Big Bang Theory to see that episode. However I watch Castle and he shows up playing a detective. My sister watches How I Met Your Mother and then I saw that he was in it so I watched it.

He's a good actor and he's good looking, check him out:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0873998/

James Edward Campbell

James Edward Campbell: I have mentioned in the post about actors I can see in The Vertex Fighter. I can see JEC as the lead Shawn Stiller in the script. I have seen him as bad boy Fitz on Degrassi.

Here's a fan video clip of Fitz walking down the hallway with "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVGY01I6fXQ

Fitz has been a villian all season. The season finale "All Falls Down" really captures the tension between him and his enemy Eli. Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SHDdTcuSis&feature=related

I like the 4:30min mark where Fitz asks Claire out to the Vegas Night dance. He's got this confidence like when he says "Fitzy needs a date for Vegas night."

I really liked him at this part 7:05min. Eli confronts Fitz.

Eli: If you hurt her-
Fitz: You'll what tough guy?
Pause.
Fitz: That's what I thought.
Fitz turns to walk away, and stops.
Fitz: But don't you worry, when we have sex, I'll be gentle.

Fitz's friends laugh and so do I. My character Shawn does make sex jokes in my script.

After the season finale, he was gone all next season, but makes an appearance again in the episode "Jesus, Etc."

Here's the first part. I like the end of it where Fitz shows up at Claire's door and it's raining. He looks like this serious tortured hero. My character Shawn is fun and easygoing, but there is a part where he becomes serious when the situation he in becomes serious and dangerous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvrOHGNdp5c

Even if JEC doesn't get the lead Shawn's part, I still hope JEC gets a part in The Vertex Fighter.

Two Bits/ Writing advice to writers from writers/ quotes

Two Bits: I found this on Linked In. It's a writing group about writers giving writing advice to other writers. It encourages me and it inspires me when I read these comments on how to battle writer's block.

Quotes: I was reading the Two Bits forum and I collect the quotes that I read. I then realized that I managed to get some really helpful quotes. There are some about writing and some that are inspirational.

"Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it." – Colette

“The same fire that melts the butter makes the iron hard.”- Dear Abby

“One smile relieves a heart that grieves.” - Robert Graves (poet)

"You have a fingerprint that nobody else has, to leave an imprint that nobody else can." Keith Craft, Leadershipology

“The ending should be inevitable, but not predictable.”- Stuart Matthew Davis

Glenn Atyeo/ Don Banting

Glenn Atyeo: I found this director through Kijiji. I emailed him on Jul. 12 and then on Jul. 14. On Jul. 15, I emailed with my 1 page synopsis and 93 page script.

Here's his ad:

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-jobs-tv-media-fashion-Do-you-want-to-bring-your-project-to-life-W0QQAdIdZ295286450

I asked him if this is his resume:

http://www.mandy.com/home.cfm?c=aty002

On Jul. 24, I emailed him if he read The Vertex Fighter yet. I did again on Jul. 30.

I emailed the producer Michel Zgarka and told him about Atyeo and gave him the Kijiji Ad.

So Glenn, if you are reading this, please contact me.

Don Banting: I had an hr to kill prior to the training so I went to Chapters. I met the author/ screenwriter Don Banting. I was checking out some merchandise and he came to me with these 2 pieces of paper promoting himself. He has a book called Two Shadows Have I: The Story of Alex.

The story is about a 5 yr old boy who has been abused by a relative. For every book sold, $1 will be donated to the charity Little Warriors that helps abused children.

We discussed screenwriting.

eHow videos on film investors, approaching and paying them back

Who are the best feature film investors?

The presenter is Scott DuPont says the best feature film investors are not the most richest people. There are rich people who are conservative with their money and don't do something risky with their money like invest in a film.

If you are making a scary movie, then go to someone who is really interested in scary movies and ask them to invest in your film.

"Find someone who is interested in the business." Find someone who is interested in movies or the topic that your movie is about.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4395527_feature-film-investors_.html

How to Approach Potential Investors about Films:

Show enthusiasm when pitching your project and say: "Hi, I'm so and so. I'm fundraising for my film. It's called this and it's about this topic, and I have the rights to this great feature film script."

He says you pitch it and out of 10 people, 1 or 2 will say yes. After that, 1 in 4 or 5 will invest in your film. It's a numbers game.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4395528_approach-potential-investors-films.html

Dealing with Money Control in Film Making:

If you're the one who is raising all the money, then you're the one who controls all the money. Or get a lawyer or CPA to co-sign on a bank account for the film. Keep the money away from the director. The producer needs to keep the film on budget, on track, and safeguard the money.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4395529_dealing-money-control-film-making.html?wa_vrid=33d97cbb-a0c7-4dd6-b30a-78615447fdc5&cp=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&pid=1

The Reality of Paying Back Investors for Film Investment:

Have a contract with the investors that tells them that film investment is a risky venture, and they may not get their money back. The lower the budget of the film, the quicker you can pay the investors back.

He said he had Tape Worm. He says Dov Simen's is a really good and informative film maker. I found his website:

http://dovsimensfilmschool.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4395530_reality-back-investors-film-investment.html?wa_vrid=783ef234-be8e-4894-919f-ab8550ea8f18&cp=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&pid=1

When to Start Your Second Film Project:

You should finish producing your first film and then pay back your investors before you start your second film project.

As soon as your first project is done, there is a lot of excitement. Show your first film to potential investors and introduce them to the cast, crew, and the other investors. Don't wait too long. Most producers are consistent with their projects.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4395531_start-second-film-project.html

Screenwriting books I've read

I have read a lot of books about writing, specifically screenwriting so I could learn the craft. These are some books that I found about writing that aren't on my college textbook reading list.

These are a couple books that I own:

The Writer's Block by Jason Rekulak. This is a quirky book about how to fight writer's block. The book is like a block. Each page is about an author and their tips, also a picture to give you a jump off point, or an idea like: "Write a story where a mother is teaching their child a life lesson." It's a good book, I bought it back in 2004.

Screenwriting for Dummies by Laura Schellhardt. I bought this book at the end of 2007. I mainly skimmed it because I was in school, working at my job, and looking for an office job. I then read it from cover to cover in 2009 after I met with the producer John Kerr. This is a really informative book about how a screenwriter should construct a script.

Books I checked out from the library:

Story by Robert McKee. The producer John Kerr recommended I read this book. McKee's name has been on a lot of screenwriting websites. The most important lesson is: "When you put your characters under pressure, the choices they make reveal character." When characters are under pressure, there is a dramatic situation and problem to solve, so it makes the story interesting. I read this in 2010.

Write from Life: Turning your experiences into compelling stories by Meg Files. It was a good book. It wasn't about screenwriting, but it's about writing in general. I read this in 2010.

Writing your Screenplay by Lisa Dethridge. It was a good book. It's been a couple years since I read it though, and I can't really remember what stood out for me the most. I read this in 2010.

Write Screenplays that Sell: The Ackerman Way by Hal Ackerman. I remember him saying to stop procrastinating and in big font said: "Write." I read this in 2010.

Screenwriting is Storytelling by Kate Wright. I read this in 2005. This is probably the first screenwriting book I ever read. I took extensive notes from it in my notebook that I still have.

Thank you list Part 2

As I was writing the post: "How long did it take to write The Vertex Fighter?", there are some more people I would like to add to the list of people I would like to thank.

I would like to thank Geo Takach who I talked to about screenwriting, and he really inspired me. After that talk, it pushed me to write the complete first rough draft of the script that had 24 pages.

I would like to thank Douglas Mah and Jason Bodnar who taught me about legal issues for writers. To help copyright your script besides going to cipo.com, you can also keep drafts of your script so people can see the evolution of the script. I have saved my drafts.

I want to thank all my Professional Writing teachers who taught me the craft of writing.

I would also like to thank my classmates whom I learned beside with.

I want to thank my parents for paying for my college tuition.

eHow videos on film editing, staying organized, pre-production

Using Software for Film Editing in Indie Filmmaking:

Cory Turner says it can take months to edit your film. If you know your scenes, the shots you took, then you can put it in order. He bought an external hard drive to put his film on it. It can be 40G to 200G. It can cost $200-$400 for the hard drive. You can store it all in there, and move it from computer to computer.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374511_using-software-film-editing-indie.html

Staying Organized: Tips for Indie Filmmaking:

When you are filming, you should have the script in front of you. Mark down what the take numbers are and what sequences are being filmed. When you're editing the film, you would know what take you're on and are going to use in the final cut.

Instead of having a hard drive that has like 150G of your film, go through it and take only the takes and scenes you want and save it. Then carry that hard drive with you. You're working with the footage that you want.

After you're finished, get people to watch it and critique it.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374512_staying-organized-tips-indie-filmmaking.html

Designing Cover Artwork for an Indie Film:

If you want your film to succeed, you need to put really good artwork on the DVD cover. If you're at a video store, you will notice a movie because of the cover. By looking at the cover, you can tell what it's about like there is blood dripping on it, then you know it's a horror film.

Get bonus footage on that DVD. There are things like "Behind the scenes" so as you're making the film, have someone film you while you're making it.

There's even the DVD The Matrix Revisited which is 100% behind the scenes footage of making The Matrix. I have it on DVD.

I also have Gingersnaps 2 and it does have a guy with a 8mm camera and he's walking around set.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374513_designing-cover-artwork-indie-film.html

Pre- production in Indie Filmmaking:

What locations do you need, what props do you need? Get someone to read the script, and have them write down all the things that you are going to need to film this movie. Check out your locations like maybe that place was good at 10am. But at 3pm, there are trains going by.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374504_preproduction-indie-filmmaking.html

Using Storyboards in Indie Filmmaking:

A storyboard is like scripting where your cameras are going to be. It shows what the characters actions and dialogue are. If you look at it before filming, you can prepare to set your cameras and get all the shots.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374505_using-storyboards-indie-filmmaking.html

eHow videos on legal issues, scripts, using cutaways in indie filmmaking

Contracts, Releases, & Other Legal Issues in Indie Filmmaking:

Cory Turner discusses the legal contracts to look at before filming are actor releases, contract releases, equipment, and music releases, and the script how to handle it and the contracts to do that.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374488_contracts-releases-other-legal-issues.html

Scripts and Copyrights in Indie Filmmaking:

The writer has to file for copyright of his script and can transfer the rights of the script to the filmmaker. What compensation are you going to give to the writer? Are you going to get paid? Do you get writer credit and/ or producer credit?

You handle the above before production. Cory Turner does point out that we are all artists and that we want to produce the best project possible. The writer may not want changes to the script, but as it's filming and actors bring their influence to it, there are going to be changes. The director says he has creative control and can make changes because he can't go to the screenwriter every time and ask to change something.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374489_scripts-copyrights-indie-filmmaking.html
Writing your own Script for an Independent Film:

He says before writing your script, think about all your resources that you have to make it. Do you have a car? The people that you know, the locations, people's talents, and put them altogether.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374490_writing-own-script-independent-film.html

Using Cutaways in Indie Filmmaking:

It's when an actor is holding a cup, and then the next shot he isn't. You can't seamlessly put the shots together. He used an example where he's talking, cut to a watch, and then cut to him standing on the other side.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374509_using-cutaways-indie-filmmaking.html

Multi- Angle Coverage in Indie Filmmaking:

If you shoot a scene with one camera, then it's boring. You shoot it with two are three cameras, and then film the scene again with a close up of the actors. Sometimes you can zoom in during a shot if you have a dolly to seamlessly zoom in.

Add some cutaways in the scene.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374510_multiangle-coverage-indie-filmmaking.html

How long did it take to write The Vertex Fighter?

I thought up the idea of this script back in 2006 and I wrote some pages about a girl being a fighter. After awhile I hit writer's block, so I switched it to a guy. Afterwards, I got so much more out of it. Then I went into the Professional Writing program and studied writing.

Then in December 2007, I spoke with the screenwriter Geo Takach. I should add him to my "Thank You List." He then inspired me and I finished writing the rest of The Fighter (what it was then called.) It was 24 pages.

I then started pitching the script in Jan. 2008 to all the production companies I Googled. I typed in "Edmonton TV production companies", then "Saskatchewan TV production companies" and then I pitched my script. I got rejected multiple times. Then in Oct. 2008, Glynis Whiting read my script and gave me 2 pages of notes and said I needed it to write 90 pages for it to be a complete script.

From Oct. 2008-Mar. 2009, I intensely wrote it and completed 90 pages. It took me 6 months of hard work for me to get the script to it's first draft. That draft is called "Draft 5." I had printed earlier drafts of it.

However, afterwards, I did have multiple edits and changes to the script from 2009-2011. I now have "Draft 11" which is the latest draft of the script. As I was pitching the script, I was also rewriting and editing it each time.

To answer the question, it took me 6 months to write the first draft and 2 yrs of rewriting and editing it.

John Penotti discusses how to get started, once a film is finished

How can I get started in producing?

John Penotti says by getting into producing, you can go physically on the film set by being a production assistant or intern.

The creative side is understanding what makes a good story, encouraging writers.

Get a job at a production company, working at the development department of a studio, become a story editor.

The basic thing is to own the rights of a script, so you can produce it.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-how-can-i-get-started
What is a typical day/ week like?

In his entrepreneurial production company, he has to move in a lot of directions. A green shoot has an underarm umbrella. A real estate venture has a production centre like a recording studio, post production facilities, and a group of executive suites he rents out to third parties that are in the film industry.

Dealing with productions that are in pre-production, development, production, or post production has a lot of problem solving. He works with financial investors and to have an understanding of where they are in the progress of the film. It's a 12-14 hr day.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-what-typical-dayweek

Pros and cons (of the producer job)?

A pro is the feeling of completion of a script that went from being developed to produced, and being watched by a paying audience. That's fulfilling.

A con is time intensive job, you don't have a lot of free time. It's stressful with how money is spent, how quickly it's spent, how delicate egos are, how the creative and business side of this show business creates a lot of problems, which takes a lot of time to solve.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-pros-and-cons

Once a film is finished:

Ascribe a territorial basis around the world, pre-sell the distribution rights of that film, the individual territories will provide us a guarantee that they will pay us if we deliver the film to them. We will go to production, and when the film is complete, we will deliver the film to the individual territories, and they will pay us.

Or the producer makes estimates about the territories about what it will cost in each place. We will make the film and go back to see how well we did on the guesses we made.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-once-film-finished

Working in New York:

A lot of the story grows from the city. The talent like the cast and crew, and distributors are in the city. There is representation in LA. If you know both, then you will work well.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-working-new-york

John Penotti discusses financial structure, rights, and duties

I found this website called Mindopia. I watched videos of film producer John Penotti.

The Financial structure of films:

He gives tips about the financial structure of a film. He says write the script and when you are given money for the film, like $5 million. What can you do with this film for $5 million?

Sometimes it won't work because that amount of money won't fit for the film. You either get more money, or you restructure the script to fit the budget.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-financial-structure-films

What about financing an independent film?

By ascribing an international and domestic value for a film. Say with this kind of film, with this kind of cast, then you could sell it for X amount of money. It's to prove there is a market out there for the film.

Then go into this detailed pre-production mode, with your script and proposed cast through our international sales company and get in touch with the international distributors in France and tell them about it. You ask for this X amount of money for the French rights. You will then go to each territory with your pre-production.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-what-about-financing-independent-film

How to acquire the rights to a project:

John Penotti talks about owning the rights to a script and idea. How you may read a book, and think it would make a great film. You go to the publisher and the author. Then you have to prove that you can take it to the next step and option the material.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-how-acquire-rights-project

What do you do? (The duties of a producer):

A producer is the one who pushes all the things together into production. You have to build a package that will attract an appropriate director, what cast will support which budget level.

What the film could be made for, and what the film could be sold for. You have to be able to balance the creative and financial attributes of the project. He sells the rights to distributors on an international and domestic basis.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-what-do-you-do

How did you get started?

Penotti says he started off as a production assistant. At the end of the day, he drove the film to the production lab so it would be developed. The next day he would pick up the film, and drive it to the set so the director can watch the dailies. The dailies are the film that's been shot the previous day.

He worked his way up from second assistant director to first assistant director, to creative producer. He was a freelancer, but it wasn't good job security. He then created a production company so there would be job security.

He was hired by studios and had worked as an estimator on how much a film would cost. He would budget it and schedule it and send it back on a production plan.

http://www.mindopia.com/video/john-penotti-how-did-you-get-started

Financial structure/ writing blog/ filming with a jib

Financial structure: I was looking up a financial structure for my pitch package. I found this website that has a chart. It tells what's being financed, how much each thing is going to cost, and the percentage it is out of the whole budget. In this example, it's $200,000.

This is from the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF).

http://www.cifvf.ca/English/cifvf_resources_financial_structure.html

Pricewaterhouse Cooper is a company that helps people with taxes and created this:

I would say page 5 of this PDF is informative. Here's the lines: "Investors typically range from wealthy individuals seeking tax advantages to the recent trend of investment by highly sophisticated private equity investors. Typically, investors make a fixed payment equal to a percentage of a particular film's production costs in exchange for a similar percentage of the net returns of that title. A single film transaction, however, can result in significant volatility for the investor while reducing the down side risk of the film producer."

http://www.pwc.com/us/en/industry/entertainment-media/assets/film-financing.pdf

Writing blog: I have joined a LinkedIn writing group and it lead me to this link. It's helpful and it's all about writing. Here's her post on "Major elements of story."

http://yourplotthickens.blogspot.com/2011/06/major-elements-of-story-according-to.html

Filming with a jib: I didn't know what a jib was until today. It's a funny word. I found this video on how to film with a jib. A jib is a long stick where you attach your camera on it. You can then move the camera around and get more shots, and looks more professional.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374497_filming-jib-tips-indie-filmmaking.html

Adjusting the jib: You put the camera on the jib, and it glides and follows the actors on screen. You can also move it up to kind of get the shot of the camera panning up to the sky, and then it fades to black, like at the end of show.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374498_adjusting-jib-tips-indie-filmmaking.html

Storing Camera Equipment: Cameras and equipment are expensive, so put it in a bag. He says to also hire someone to take care of the little pieces like the screws and tapes.

You have to look and be professional by having all your equipment in a proper bag, instead of in a trash bag.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374499_storing-camera-equipment-tips-indie.html

eHow videos on movie distribution/ pitch package checklist

Press and Publicity in Movie Distribution:

Here's a video where the filmmaker says to distribute it to film festivals. You send the film in, and you can be accepted and it will show it. You may even win awards for your film, garnering more publicity.

If you aren't in a rush to get it out to film festivals, then don't submit it. If you want your film out, and to be bought by a distributor and onto video right now, then skip the film festival.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384828_press-publicity-movie-distribution.html

Technical Quality and Film Distribution:

It's about editing your film and presenting it in a professional and clean way. There is a lot of competition and you need good lighting, sound

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384824_technical-quality-film-distribution.html

Pitch Package: I found this website www.canadianfilmmaker.com about how to make a pitch package. Marguerite Pigott wrote it. I then checked my saved emails, and it turns out I have emailed her before regarding The Vertex Fighter script.

I thought that was kind of an interesting coincidence. Here's part of the article:

"These buyers make decisions based on both business and creative criteria, so your package needs to give them a complete picture of both. Send the following:

- Signed release form, if requested (I can sign that.)

- Completed application form, if requested (I can complete that.)

- Cover letter (I probably have one that's called my script pitch.)

- Budget top sheet or long form, whichever they prefer (I need to work on that.)

- Financing structure (I need to work on that too.)

- Script (I have that completed.)

- Proposed or attached cast list (I have that. Well one actor, MMA fighter Kit Cope. The others are more like actors I imagined in it.)

- Bios for all the key creatives (I have my bio.)

- Proposed production schedule (I need to work on that.)

Additional elements:

- Director's previous films on DVD if the director is not well known

- Director's notes on the project indicating tone, shooting style, use of music, or anything that will give a more complete picture of the finished product

(That's interesting. On my The Vertex Fighter blog, I did mention about what music I can see in the film.)

- If based on source material, sales figures for the source material, such as a video game, novel or comic book

- Any unique elements you think will help communicate your project's appeal to its target audience"


http://www.canadianfilmmaker.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=8

How do I get an Agent? Part 2

This is the second part of the article "How do I get an Agent?" Here's the website address:

http://www.scriptmag.com/2011/06/20/primetime-how-do-i-get-an-agent-%E2%80%93-part-one/

This is a very informative and inspirational article. It makes me want to write because he says to constantly be writing. This part in the article stood out for me:

"I often talk to writers who say they have 10 episodes of a Web series they want to sell. But simply having a work, even a work that exists in an accessible space, like the Internet, doesn’t give it value. It must prove it can generate a significant number of viewers and/or dollars. It wasn’t Justin Halpern’s hilarious Tweets that earned him a sitcom deal … it was his 700,000 followers — developed in less than a year."

I have a blog called www.badcb.blogspot.com. This showcases my writing. I also have this The Vertex Fighter blog, which really showcases how I'm studying and learning about the TV business. It shows my experience and knowledge and how hard I try to get into this business.

Here's the article:

"3) Create a property with marketable value.

Agents need writers and properties they can market or sell, and while this is much much much easier said than done, you may be able to attract representation if you create something with real marketable value.

This does not mean simply writing a script you believe is “worthy” of selling.

This means creating something that generates visibly tangible value (read: “significant dollars and/or eyeballs) … and then trying to attract an agent.

The Whitest Kids U Know

The Whitest Kids U Know began as a college sketch group touring New York comedy clubs. They began generating a large, rabid fan base … and eventually scored a TV series on IFC. They’re now repped at APA.

Mindy Kaling, currently a writer-producer-actor on The Office, burst onto the scene when she co-wrote (and starred in) Matt & Ben, a stage play that toured the country, received rave reviews, generated real box office receipts, and gave Mindy a spotlight as a writer and actress. She eventually signed with UTA.

Maxim writer Justin Halpern’s Twitter feed, Shit My Dad Says, racked up over 700,000 followers to become the basis for CBS’s 2010-2011 sitcom, starring William Shatner and produced by Halpern. He’s now repped at ICM.

I often talk to writers who say they have 10 episodes of a Web series they want to sell. But simply having a work, even a work that exists in an accessible space, like the Internet, doesn’t give it value. It must prove it can generate a significant number of viewers and/or dollars. It wasn’t Justin Halpern’s hilarious Tweets that earned him a sitcom deal … it was his 700,000 followers — developed in less than a year.

Obviously, these people are exceptions to the usual rules. But as a writer-producer, your job is to be constantly writing … and if you do create the next Matt & Ben or The Whitest Kids U Know, agents will come knocking.

What you can do: Be constantly writing, creating, pumping out new material … and getting it in front of audiences. Sketches, plays, books, shorts stories, articles, local reality or game shows … anything you can put into the world to gather an audience and generate dollars.

Write a successful play, produce a festival-winning film, sell and publish a hilarious memoir. Or …

Become a stand-up comic like Wanda Sykes, who used her stand-up to land a TV-writing job on The Chris Rock Show before becoming famous as an actor and performer (she’s now repped at WME). Found a satirical newspaper like The Onion (now represented at CAA). Invent creative ad campaigns, like GEICO’s Cavemen commercials, created by Joe Lawson, which went on to be a short-lived ABC series … and launched Joe’s TV-writing career; he’s now repped at WME and writing on Modern Family.

Not the most direct path to an agent, but he might get you there.

Again, this path is much easier said than done … but create a property that proves to have real value, and Hollywood representation will come calling. In fact, I don’t believe you can follow this path because you hope it will bring you representation; I think you follow this path only because you’re burning to write or create whatever it is you feel compelled to create. The focus must be on the work … and creating a work of quality and passion … not eventually landing an agent.

In other words, I wouldn’t recommend this path because you think it’s a quick, easy shot to a “career”; most people’s work never produces the kind of attention necessary to become Cavemen, The Onion, or Shit My Dad Says. You have to be writing and creating because you love it … you love the process, the struggle, the thrill of seeing your work come to life … not because you’re strategizing a career and believe this is the most probable path.

The most viable path is to be constantly writing, creating new material … and working in the industry, learning and forming relationships, meeting agents, execs, writers, and producers.

Anyway, I hope this helps! Next week, we’ll continue … talking in detail about where and how to actually meet and connect with agents, when and how to ask them to read you, etc.

Until then, please feel free to post comments and questions below… or email me at chad@chadgervich.com… or Tweet me @chadgervich."

How do I get an agent? Part 1

I subscribe to Screenwriting Goldmine. It lead me to this article: "How do I get an Agent?" This is specifically a TV agent.

From the article it says:

"So understanding all that, there are three basic ways of landing a TV lit agent:

Through personal connections and relationships
By getting yourself a job
By creating a property with marketable value

Here’s how NOT to get an agent:

By sending your scripts, unsolicited, to agents you’ve never met (even if the Hollywood Creative Directory says they accept unsolicited submissions)
By sending query letters (these go directly into the trash)
By cold-calling"


I don't send out scripts, but I send out query letters. Well, more like query emails. I did that for a couple of weeks, and then got rejected. I don't cold call.

I then stopped looking for an agent, and went back to the usual of writing my script and pitching The Vertex Fighter script to production companies through email.

"1) Using your own personal connections and relationships."
He talks about how he knew a few agents and contacted them. It's not just about having an idea for a TV show, but also having knowledge like going to school in writing. Or having experience like working in TV. He mentioned about being likeable and that's why he was hired.

"Writing staffs spend 10-14 hours a day together, jammed into tiny writers rooms. Scripts are often written, and rewritten, by entire groups working together under tight deadlines in pressure-cooker environments. As you move up the ladder, you will be expected to supervise and collaborate with directors, designers, actors, and on-set crew. As a showrunner, you may spend almost no time writing at all — much of your energy will be spent managing people and departments!"

That reminds me of an article about the TV show Rookie Blue. There is a team of writers sitting and writing. I remember reading a Buffy the Vampire Slayer book about how the writers talk about ideas and the direction the show is going to go before they write.

"What you can do: Put yourself in a position where you can meet and form relationships with working TV lit agents. Ideally, this means being in Los Angeles (or, second-best, NYC) and working in the industry. You could be an assistant, a PA, an intern, a publicist, a runner … anything that allows you to begin meeting people and forming connections.

If you don’t currently live in L.A., and you’re serious about a TV-writing career … MOVE. If you can’t move, get a job wherever you are that puts you as close as possible to the action.

Take a job at a network affiliate TV station; these places have incredibly strong ties to their parent networks, advertisers, local producers, etc. Work at a professional regional theater, and make it your mission to seek out TV agents who may represent TV writers that have playwriting experience. Volunteer with a film festival where you can begin networking with filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, and agents.

In short, put yourself in a professional position — wherever you are — that allows you to begin networking."

I should take a job at a TV station. I tried to get one at CBC, but didn't get hired. I tried to get an internship there before, but they only hire students at NAIT's TV program. I did momentarily tried to get into NAIT's Radio program, but fortunately got rejected. Thus lead me to take writing.

2) Get yourself a job.

"Many baby writers don’t get their first gig through an agent; they get it through their own contacts and relationships … often by being a writers assistant and getting promoted onto the staff."

I learned something new: "TV shows that have been on air for more than a season are required to give two freelance scripts to writers not on staff … so these often go to the writers assistants.)

And because breaking a baby is such an uphill battle, even for the most powerful representative, agents look for young writers who have already gotten their own first job … or are in a position to get their own first job (as a writers assistant, a showrunner’s assistant, an EP’s assistant, etc.)."

"Plus, agents are interested in writers who can earn money … and there’s no better way to convince someone you can earn money than by earning money.

Not to mention — work begets work. You appear more valuable to employers if you’re already busy and employed somewhere else. No one wants to hire the guy who’s been sitting on his duff, twiddling his thumbs; everyone wants to hire the guy who’s busy, in demand, constantly working.

What you can do: Get a job that’s a strong stepping-stone to a staff job: a writers assistant, a showrunner’s assistant, an EP’s assistant, etc. Again, this means living in L.A. or NYC, starting at the bottom, working your way up.

If you can’t do this … get a job writing wherever you are.

Become a news writer for your local affiliate station. Seek out local interest shows that may need writers or producers. Become a journalist for your newspaper … and, if possible, the TV or film critic, a job that could allow you contact and interview working writers, producers, agents, execs. These jobs may not help you build the required network of contacts, but they will allow you to build some cachet as a working writer … and that’s attractive to agents.

In short, agents want writers who can earn money … so if you want to be attractive to agents, you need to land yourself a job that suggests you are, or soon could be, earning money as a working TV writer."

http://www.scriptmag.com/2011/06/20/primetime-how-do-i-get-an-agent-%E2%80%93-part-one/

eHow videos on how to get money to make your indie film

How to Get Money to Make an Independent Film:

Cory Turner says making a movie is about selling dreams. The investors should be interested in seeing their names on the screen. He says: "No one is going to invest in your movie unless you have a good budget set up." How much money do you have, your friends and family have to invest in this film, how much money you can pull together.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374491_get-money-independent-film.html

Budgeting for Equipment in Indie Filmmaking:

Get a 3 chip camera. Or save up and get a nice HD camera.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374492_budgeting-equipment-indie-filmmaking.html

The Types of Cameras Used in Indie filmmaking:

He uses a Cannon XL 2 digital camera. Use a mini-digital DV tape. It costs $5-$8 in retail stores.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374493_the-types-cameras-used-indie.html?wa_vrid=4e613bf2-a9ec-4363-ae53-ac57b45e8e4a&pid=1&cp=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous

Microphones and Sound Equipment in Indie Filmmaking:

He shows us a microphone and boom pole that holds the microphone. If you shoot outside, there may be airplanes flying over. If you shoot inside, there may be air conditioners going.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374494_microphones-sound-equipment-indie-filmmaking.html

Lighting in Indie Filmmaking:

Now that you can hear the actors, you also have to see them and here's the part about lighting. If you shoot outside, the natural sunlight will be used. You can go to a hardware store and buy the highest watts in light bulbs to film.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374495_lighting-indie-filmmaking.html

More Lighting in Indie Filmmaking:

If there is too much light on the actors, they will wash out. Lighting is important to make the film look good. There is editing to make the film look good, but if you can make the film look good on set when you're shooting, it's going to be easier when you're editing.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2374496_more-lighting-indie-filmmaking.html

The Vertex Fighter music (Part 1)

These are some songs I would use in The Vertex Fighter.

"Time to Win" by Down with Webster. This is a really fast rock song that you can dance to. I can see the characters dancing to it, but also used during a fight scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzqYK72dwk8

"Crank That" by Soulja Boy (Travis Barker Remix). This is where Travis Barker from Blink 182 plays the drums to this song, making it a rock song. I would also use this for a fight scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS0hAokxDSA

"Inside Outside" by Miss Eighty 6. This is another song used to dance or fight to. It's a fast rap song. The Vertex is a night club, and I can see the song being played to dance to. I am Myspace friends with her. Her real name is Sarai Howard, and she went by Sarai when she released her album "The Original" in 2003.

I have the album. It's the only rap album I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x24UdTKncYg

"Ring a Ling" by Miss Eighty 6. It's got a fast beat in the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHnoB9Gp-gU

"Til the Sun Comes Up"- Miss Eighty 6. Her voice got this hard, toughness to it. My The Vertex Fighter movie is hard and tough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2rm5WZuK-U

eHow videos about art direction, and how to make a short film

What is Art Direction in Movies?

Art directors are like architects of the film. They read the script and have to understand imagine how the movie would look like. They design the sets, costumes, colors of the film,

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990616_art-direction-movies.html

How to Write a Monologue:

This is more aimed at actors, because a monologue is used as an audition piece. The character is talking about a situation. Is it going to be funny or dramatic? It has to start off in one place and goes to another place at the end. Show variations of emotions and shows the talent in acting.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990617_write-monologue.html?wa_vrid=deecc22d-d038-4704-95f6-086ad3d8b6ce&pid=1&cp=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous

How to Make a Short Film:

It's about your budget. If it's a small budget, use your friends and family as actors and use your own hand held camera. Sometimes you can rent cameras. Have a computer to edit the film like use Adobe Premiere if you have a PC. If you have a Mac, use Final Cut Pro or iMovie. You can then submit it to film festivals.

Always have a good story and script to work with.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990613_make-short-film.html

How does Public Access Television Work?

Look up on the internet what your local public access television is and the phone number and location. Most of them are church sermons and political candidates.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990619_public-access-television-work.html

There are also a lot of videos about how to get an agent, how to find auditions, how to become an actor, etc. if you are interested.

eHow videos on how to become a producer

Training to Become a Producer:

A director does all the creative work like how the film is supposed to be shot, and who gets cast. The producer does the business side of things like expenses and hiring. A business degree is helpful like finances.

You need a network of actors, directors, writers.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990615_training-become-producer.html

How Long Does it Take to Shoot a Film?

It can take from a few weeks to a few years. It's about people's availability to work on this film. If it's a big budget movie from a major film company, it will take 2-3 months. The days are 14-16 hrs of work. After it's produced, it will take a yr of post production and editing before it comes out.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990614_long-shoot-movie.html

What is Cinematography?

The lighting, the color, the images that the camera is taking in. The actors could be saying lines about how they love someone, but what about the background? Is there a sunset behind them that highlights the scene?

It's about the atmosphere of the film. That reminds me of The Matrix Revisted dvd. In the dvd, it said when the characters are on the ship it's all blue. When the characters are in the Matrix, it's all green.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990610_cinematography.html

What is a high- concept film?

On the page it says that a high- concept film is a unique plot that is somewhat unbelievable, and he mentions Back to the Future with time traveling. What's not a high- concept film is 10 Things I Hate about You which is about high school.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990611_highconcept-film.html

What is a TV show Pilot?

A writer or a producer has an idea for a TV show and brings it to the network executive. You pitch it and if the producer likes it, they will say: "Produce a pilot." You shoot the pilot with the cast and crew. You bring the pilot back to the exec.

The exec will watch the show and decide if it will be produced for a whole season. There may be changes like an actor will be replaced. January is pilot season where actors come to Hollywood to audition to be in pilots.

The pilot is a selling tool for your show. There are a lot of pilots that haven't been aired.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4990612_tv-show-pilot.html

eHow videos on indie films like editing and distribution

Adding Special Effects to Indie Films:

It's also about budget like what can you afford to do a special effect on? This takes time, and if you are going to do a special effect, only have that scene scheduled for that one day. It will most likely take a day to film that difficult scene.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384802_adding-special-effects-indie-films.html?wa_vrid=a2d37af1-347e-4ffa-976d-551e7b302637&pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1

Preparing your Indie Film for Edit:

Get all your tapes together and watch it. Take notes about what take is good and will be used for the final cut. Do the best you can with what you have.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384803_preparing-indie-film-edit.html

How to Edit an Indie Film:

When you edit, use your script as a reference.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384804_edit-indie-film.html?pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1&wa_vrid=ab5138cc-f8b8-4a50-8022-e2a20c607403

Choosing Music for your Indie Film:

You can use local bands and play their music in your film. You can put an ad out for bands for what kind of music you want to put in your film. Get someone to play instrumental music. Get the bands to sign a release form so you can use their music. Ask: "Does the music fit with the movie?"

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384805_choosing-music-indie-film.html?wa_vrid=1e2f2f8e-f91d-4b9c-a48b-50f872a70be8&pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1

How to Distribute your Indie Film:

After you have finished making the film, you want to get it to the audience. Go to the internet and look up film distributors. You can go to the video store and look at the dvds that is the same genre as your film. You then write to them. Send an email or a scene from your movie.

If the distributor says he will sell your movie and you will get residuals, then you won't get paid. Ask for money upfront, even if it's a couple of thousand dollars. You can sell it on the internet, sci-fi conventions, horror festivals.

Find someone to make the box art. If you sell it yourself, you know where all the money is going and will actually make more of it than through a distributor.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384806_distribute-indie-film.html?wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1&wa_vrid=8cb4337e-45df-48d5-ad78-2e27df8ad936&pid=1

eHow videos on indie films like find a crew and scheduling

How to find a Crew for an Indie Film:

You need a camera man, an audio person, and people to build the sets. The people need to be as interested in making the film as you are. The schedules have to be set.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384797_crew-indie-film.html

How to Schedule Indie Film Production:

Indie films are short so it may take as little as 2 weeks to film. There are actors that may have an attitude and bail if they have to work for too long. He says that he usually shoots all the scenes with an actor (who will most likely bail) in one day, and then the actor is free to go.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384798_schedule-indie-film-production.html?wa_vrid=1ca45025-48a2-4a71-83d7-9362151ab5f4&pid=1&
wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1

How much Footage does your Film need?

If it's a 1hr and half movie, then you need 30-40 hrs of footage. Label all your tapes and keep them in a safe place so you won't lose it.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384799_much-footage-film-need_.html?wa_vrid=95ee1060-cf52-488c-95c8-485a2055b590&pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1

What Tape Formats Can an Indie Film use?

It depends on your budget and what cameras you have. He mentions Mini DV, DVC Pro.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384800_tape-can-indie-film-use_.html

How to Deal with Actors:

In indie films, you get local actors, and most are from theatres. Acting in theatre, you are bigger, more gestures and louder. On film, you act more subtle. There are method actors who stay in character even when they're not shooting.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384801_deal-actors_-indie-films.html?wa_vrid=e3263fb4-7c96-4b3f-b457-adf9db51aa7f&pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1

Ehow info videos on indie films like script and casting

Choosing a subject matter for Your Indie Film:

The film maker says it's harder to distribute comedy and drama. He has sold a lot of horror and science fiction movies because fans are interested in the subject matter vampires and werewolves. People rent movies because there are big actors and actresses in it. For indie films, people watch it for the subject matter and story.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384793_choosing-subject-indie-film.html?pid=1&wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1&wa_vrid=7bc260eb-0bac-4eec-a848-befa4e152ba7

How to script an indie film:

You may have a good idea, but you may not know how to write it. Hire a writer to write your idea into a script. This film maker mentions that the script is the foundation and if it isn't good, shooting in HD isn't going to improve the film.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384794_script-indie-film.html
Equipment for Indie Film Making:

Get a digital camera. Some cost from $500 to $4000. Audio is important so get a boom mike. Lighting can cost a couple hundred dollars. Tape stock to film your movie with.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384792_equipment-indie-film-making.html

How to cast an indie film:

He says to put ads in the newspaper. Look at the head shots and resumes. Set up auditions and you can rent a room like in a library. Don't do it your house. Don't give them specific appointments, but say the auditions are during these days from this time to this time. Most auditions will be a couple of min.

Film the audition and instead of giving them the script, let them audition with a monologue of their own.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384795_cast-indie-film.html

All About Release Forms and Filming:

A release form is like a contract. An actor signs it and it basically means this person agrees to being filmed and getting paid. If he doesn't want to sign it, you should hire someone else. This is a legal contract because if later the actor signs it, does the film, and then says don't release it. Well he already signed the contract so the film maker is going to release it.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2384796_release-forms-filming.html

Actors I can see in The Vertex Fighter

In The Vertex Fighter script, there are some actors I would like to work with and can imagine them being in the script.

For the lead role of Shawn:

Shawn Stiller- I have a few choices in this order.

He could be played by Graham Wardle (Heartland).

Here is his pic and official website: http://grahamwardle.net/

Daren Kagasoff (Secret Life of the American Teenager).

Here's his pic:
http://www.poptower.com/daren-kagasoff.htm

James Edward Campbell (Degrassi: The Next Generation.)

Here's his pic:
http://fuckyeahjamesedwardcampbell.tumblr.com/post/2197372624/heres-some-fitz-for-you-guys-33

Mia Li- I can see the actress/ singer Cory Lee.

Here's her pic:
http://degrassi.wikia.com/wiki/File:Cory_lee.jpg

Alex Donovan- played by MMA fighter Kit Cope. He has said yes to the project. I email and Facebook him.

Here's his pic:
http://muaythaitigers.blogspot.com/2009/07/contender-asia-2-fighters_17.html

Carson Stiller- played by Giles Panton (Flash Gordon). He has expressed interest in the project. I also email and Facebook him, but right now he's a maybe.

Here is his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/gilespanton

Mason Banks- played by Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galatica.)

Here's his pic:
http://www.poptower.com/michael-trucco-picture-39534.htm

Ehow info videos about cameras, home videos, movie trailer

How to Learn the Basics of Good Camera Work:

Keep your hands steady when holding the camera, or get a tripod.

Camera panning means moving the camera steadily across the scene. Camera tilt is when the camera is panning up and down. I knew that already from reading scripts and I have proven that in my www.badcb.blogspot.com. I usually write about a scene and describe it, and I mention those terms.

He mentions framing, which I don't totally know about. He says to divide the screen in thirds and place your subject in it, and the person's eyes should be in the upper third portion of the screen.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992202_learn-basics-good-camera-work.html

How to Learn to Use Your Video Camera:

He talks about how to get the source of energy for the camera like a battery, how to turn it on, where to press record, the video microphone.

You should get your camera and go outside and start filming. You learn by doing and experience.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992203_learn-use-video-camera.html

How to Make a Home Movie with your Camcorder:

He introduces that most home made videos you find on Youtube are amateur. If you want to step up, and make videos of special occasions like a birthday, here are some tips.

Don't drag the shot on for longer than 15-20 seconds. Cut to a shot of something cute, then cut someone smiling, then cut away.

Put some music in it that's related to the video.

Shoot some coverage. For example, like shooting Christmas morning. Instead of shooting the kids opening present after present, take a break and cut to shots of the Christmas tree, or the house.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992204_make-home-moviecamcorder.html?wa_vlsrc=continuous&cp=1&wa_vrid=0668e595-37e7-4362-8fe4-2440f8dfdeb7&pid=1

Making home videos:

The tips are like the above. Move the camera around instead of staying in one spot. Instead of shooting the action that's happening right then and there, get shots of different things like the decoration, the people.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992209_making-home-videos.html

How to Make a Movie Trailer:

A movie trailer is a calling card for the film. What is the tone of the film? What will hook and draw the audience in?

Get the best and creative shots of the film and put it in your trailer.

Establish the characters, and the story.

At the end of the trailer, put the one last line or shot that lasts a little bit longer and will leave a lasting impression on the audience that will want to watch your movie.

A trailer is usually 30sec to 2min long.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992205_make-movie-trailer.html

eHow film production videos

I have been watching more film production videos from eHow. The film maker is very informative in teaching how to become a movie producer, get your screenplay produced, etc.

How to Become a Movie Producer:

The video says through connections if a family member is in the film business.

You can go to school and get a major degree in film making and minor in business. Hire your writer, crew, and investors.

It's important to know how to run a business.

You have to know a lot of people, it's about networking.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992199_become-movie-producer.html

How to become a Movie Editor:

Go to university and/ or film school and major in editing.

PCs and Macs have video editing software.

Make a reel of your work to show to people who are hiring. 2-5min presentation of your best work. Submit to local TV production companies.

How to find a screenplay agent:

He says it's really hard, and I know that. I tried to get an agent myself by pitching that I have a Professional Writing diploma, but a lot of agencies don't take new clients.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992201_screenplay-agent.html

Creative ways to make a living:

He lists about donating plasma to college, or holding a part- time job in the restaurant industry or really just any job, in my opinion. He gave the good tip of being a videographer and filming weddings and birthday parties.

That reminds me of the TV show Melrose Place. A character is a videographer filming weddings and parties, and he's working like that so he can bide his time for his break in the movie business.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992197_creative-ways-make-living.html

How to write a movie script:

He says to open a blank document on the computer and pour all your story ideas, characters, scenes into it. Then write it. After you finish writing 120 pages, leave it for a few days and go back to it and edit it. Then when it's polished, submit it.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992207_write-movie-script.html

How to write a TV spec script:

He says that a TV spec script is a script that hasn't been commissioned by a TV network. It's your own idea and script that you want to get produced. It has to have compelling characters and future situations that could be set up for an entire series to be built on.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992208_write-tv-spec-script.html

I know how to write. I find that I am more interested in watching the videos of how to become a movie producer and editor, because I don't know how to do that.

Possible Vertex Fighter titles

It was in summer 2010, I read that there is going to be a movie called The Fighter. That was my title for my movie. This month I changed my title to The Vertex Fighter because I started The Vertex Fighter blog site.

I have been brainstorming titles like The Cage Fighter, but it took awhile as I went through Blogger. I then decided to add Vertex into the title because that's where all the fights take place.

I looked to see if there was the site called: www.thefighter.blogspot.com
There is one post on that blog.

I see that Cage Fighter has been taken:

http://www.cagefighter.blogspot.com/

A young woman wrote a few posts so I can't use The Cage Fighter as my movie title:

http://www.thecagefighter.blogspot.com/

How about Lovers and Fighters? It's already been taken. It's written in Spanish:

http://www.loversandfighters.blogspot.com/

Funding and Info videos from Ehow.com

On my June 12 post "How to pitch your script/ funding" I mentioned Ehow.com and the article "How to Fund a Movie:"

http://www.ehow.com/how_4450565_fund-movie.html

There are even more related articles on that site. Here's one:

"How to calculate the cost of filming an independent movie:"

http://www.ehow.com/how_4486551_calculate-cost-filming-independent-movie.html

The tips were:

1. Estimate the cost of equipment like a video camera, recorder, sounding recorder, and lighting rigs.

2. Location shooting. You may have to rent or find somewhere to shoot for free.

3. How to pay the actors like extras may work for free.

4. Research the type of film and how many reels will be needed for your camera.

5. The post- production fees like editing software and studio time.

"How to raise money for a movie:"

http://www.ehow.com/how_6764386_raise-money-movie.html

Fundraising Ideas for Filmmakers:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6317681_fundraising-ideas-filmmakers.html

How to get money to make a movie:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4881682_money-make-movie.html

Incorporated Film Ideas:

http://www.ehow.com/way_6173565_incorporated-film-ideas.html

Info videos: There are also videos from an independent film maker who tells you tips like:

How to sell a screenplay: He mentions about getting an agent, and getting a copyright for your script.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992206_sell-screenplay.html

How to create storyboards: He says it's mainly used for action scenes. Sometimes they're used by directors and sometimes they aren't.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4992200_create-storyboards.html

Thank you list

This is the list of people who have helped me in The Vertex Fighter script. In Jan. 2008 I started pitching the script.

It wasn't until the professional reader Glynis Whiting read the 24 page 1st draft, and gave me 2 pages of tips, did I go in the right direction of the script. The notes made me push myself and write another 22 pages.

I then sent her the 2nd draft and she gave me another 2 pages of tips. She then directed me to the Writer in Residence at the Edmonton Public Library Conni Massing.

In 2009, Conni Massing read the 4th draft and it was at 72 pages. She gave me some good tips and I managed to finish writing the script. Within 6 months, I pushed myself to get a 90 page script. I sent her a couple more scripts, but in my opinion they weren't very good.

In 2010, the new Writer in Residence Chris Craddock read my script and gave me helpful tips.

In 2011, the new Writer in Residence Marty Chan read it and we discussed it in person.

I also want to thank Josh Miller from Panacea Entertainment from reading the script in Apr. 2009 and again in Nov. 2009.

I want to throw in the producer John Kerr from Crowsnest Films who I met with and discussed the script in person. He read draft 7 and after a lot of work and months later, he read my draft 10 and gave tips on it.

I want to thank Michel Zgarka for telling me what a pitch package is. It has then lead me make one. I have learned a lot about writing from going to college and reading screenwriting books, and meeting and talking with people in the business. However, I haven't heard of a pitch package before until now.