publishing/ NAIT classes/ agent

This is from www.badcb.blogspot.com:

Jul. 9 Publishing: I was looking for a regular job today and it lead me to Lone Pine Publishing.  They print Ghost Stories of Alberta and other subjects like gardening.

http://www.lonepinepublishing.com/

This one is for cooking. 

http://www.companyscoming.com/

Jul. 16 Insight Editions: I got this email, and it's about a publishing company called Insight Editions.  They sell books for films like a Harry Potter pop-up book.  I did find a funny book called Goodnight Husband, Goodnight Wife.  It's written by head writers/ executive producers Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel who work for the David Letterman Show. 

http://www.insighteditions.com/Goodnight-Husband-Wife-Eric-Stangel/dp/1608870936

Jul. 17 Time management: I was going through my Freelance Writer's group emails and it lead me to this article "Manage time as a Freelancer."  Even if you aren't a freelancer, it's still useful with tips like getting rid of distractions and prioritizing to get things done.

http://www.opportunitiesplanet.com/freelancing/manage-time-as-a-freelancer/?goback=.gde_101577_member_97392376

Summer fun: Larry Dignan sent me this article called "50 Fun Self-Improvement to Assign Yourself this Summer."  It's mainly learning things like cooking, gardening, and learning to do stand-up comedy.  Check it out here.  I watched the first 3 videos, and it's kind of funny.  Be forewarned, there is profanity and mature humor.

http://www.standupcomedyclass.com/

Or you can be creative and make your own book with your words and pictures here:

http://www.blurb.com/

Jul. 18 Production companies: Last month I emailed my The Vertex Fighter script, synopsis and the 250 word summary to this production company.  They got back to me today, and they rejected it. 

However, another producer emailed me back after I sent my script pitch to them last month.  He said he can't produce it, but he will take a look at my one page synopsis.  He also gave me tips of cold calling producers, and using the script to look for an agent. 

I said that's what I did: I go on the internet and email producers.  I did one time tried to get an agent, but got rejected.  Now I can start looking for an agent again.  I was going through my old emails, and it turns out that the last time I tried to get an agent was back in 2008.

Saying: I was thinking about the saying by Winston Churchill: "No matter how beautiful the strategy is, you should occasionally look at the results." 

I apply this to my job search, but I'm also applying to reading my Freelance Writer's group emails.  Does this help me get published or get writing jobs?  It has lots of writers talking about getting freelance jobs, having blogs, getting published on Kindles, etc.  I do like to read from like-minded people like me.  I would say my friend Sherry is the one who emails about writing to me. 

NAIT classes: There is a class at NAIT called Television Production.  It's 30hrs and teaches you how to use TV cameras, lighting, and shooting.  It costs $495 and the classes are one night a week, 7pm-10pm.  It's kind of late, and I would have to take 2 buses to get home.  I would be home by 11pm.  This is technical stuff.

There is Introduction to Final Cut Pro 7, it's 12hrs and it's about learning how to edit film on that program.  I'm not totally interested in this.

There is a class on how to be a Script Supervisor.  It lists some of the duties here.  That seems interesting, but there aren't any classes listed.

• time and break down a script
• carry out effective slating
• make notes on each shot.

Here's the Producer's Emergence Program.  I still have the NAIT ad I got.  I see the date of the ad, and the program came out in 2006.  I was already at MacEwan studying writing.  It looks like I probably won't get into this class because you need a project proposal and a personal interview.  It's $2000 for 112hrs.  I'm more into TV Production and Script Supervisor class.
http://www.nait.ca/course_RTA30.htm?AsOfDate=2012-08-01

Jul. 19 Student loans: I was talking to a server today and she had taken the Culinary Arts at NAIT and graduated.  Now she's taking something else.  She told me about student loans and how the government pays for your education.  After you graduate, you pay the government back, 60% of the loan.  So if your tuition is $1000, you have to pay back the govt. $600.

Jul. 21 Script pitch: Yesterday I submitted my The Vertex Fighter synopsis and script pitch to a TV production company.  I tried to print out the submission release form, but it didn't work.  Then I remembered a few weeks ago at the library, and the librarian converted it to a PDF file and then was able to print it.

It's for another production company, and when I converted it to a PDF file on my computer, it printed.

Jul. 23 Agent: Good news, yesterday I started emailing some agents again.  Today one of them wanted to read my script.  I did email this agent back in 2008, and they asked to read my script and I sent it to them.  They never got back to me.  Or they did, and I forgot.  This time I made a note to email them later to see if they read it.

producer/ Greber Writing Award/ David Cormican

 This is from www.badcb.blogspot.com:

Jul. 5 Producer: A producer who has read my The Vertex Fighter script, he has accepted my invitation on Linked In.

TV Production: I was going through my 2007 agenda and found a Edmonton TV production company I wrote down.  I remember applying to this company when I saw an ad in the Edmonton Journal.  I think the ad was last year and I applied.  I then decided to apply there again today.  I can even submit something to them, but I have to print out a submission release form.

Self- publishing: I was going through my old emails and I found this email from Publishing@ironstreamcompany.com.  I clicked on it, and it lead to links to 3 websites.  One was Xlibris, which I wrote about. 

Bookmasters: This is self-publishing.  You can write a blog post for their website.  The post has to be about personal experiences in writing, publishing, industry news in general.

http://blog.bookmasters.com/about/

Writing for Children: This is kind of a mediocore website.  I was reading it, and there's an aptitude test to get into the Institute of Children's Literature."It distinguishes between those who do and those who do not have the potential, in our opinion, to learn how to write publishable material for children and teenagers."

http://www.writingforchildren.com/H2551/youcanbeawriter.htm

Here's the test though.  It's kind of interesting, because you're supposed to answer the question in a kid's voice.

http://www.writingforchildren.com/H2551/download.htm

Jul. 6 Author House: I found this old email "Gain Exposure for your Book."  It's from the nearly the same email address as Bookmasters: BookPromotion@ironstreamcompany.com

Here's the website.  It asked questions like "What is your goal for the book?"  Some answers that were listed were:

"Writing to help others overcome a personal obstacle." 
"Seeing if I have what it takes for commercial success."

http://www.authorhouse.com/LP01F01C020.aspx?Cat=PPC&LS=SearchEngine&SRC=Adknowledge&KW=BookPromotion&GKW=BookPromotion&utm_source=adknowledge&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BookPromotion&utm_content=BookPromotion

Book: Here's a self-published book called Determined to Change: One Man's Journey from Darkness to Redemption.  Nick Chandler is the 9th child out of 12 children and lived in poverty.  It's about how he changed his life and helps others.

http://www.authorhouse.com/WhyAuthorHouse/Experience/Chandler.aspx

Kiss Her Goodbye: I found this on my Two Bits Writing group on Linked In.  I didn't know there was a blog site called Authors Xpress.  This book is about a murder mystery by Harvey Burgess.  I read a little bit of his blog, and it's okay.

http://kisshergoodbye.authorsxpress.com/about-the-book/

Linked In Groups: By going through my old emails, I'm being transported in time.  I think I joined the Two Bits writing group in Aug. 2011 and the Freelance Writers group in Feb. 2012.

Jul. 8 Greber Writing Award: I was going through my old newspaper clippings and found an article about coping with grief.  It really talked to Shirley Dunn and how after her partner Dave Greber died, she created this award in his honor.  Freelance writers who write about social justice will win the award.

http://www.greberwritingaward.com/

Quotes: There are all these good quotes on the site.  Some are about writing like:

"What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure."  Samuel Johnson

Some aren't about writing:

"Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Facts and Arguments essay: I subscribe to The Globe and Mail and in the Life section, there's an essay everyday about a personal experience someone has gone through.  I have written about a couple essays that I have read, and then put on this blog with my comments on it.

Here is one:

http://badcb.blogspot.ca/search?q=crazy+day/+job+essay/+career+fair

I should write an essay for it.  Here are the rules.  One of them is this: "Please don't send a piece that's appeared in any other print or online publication, but feel free to submit an essay on a topic you have blogged about." 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/submit-a-facts-and-arguments-essay/article597357/

Jul. 9 Call back: Today was my day off so I called a producer back.  We emailed each other a bit and he said his company doesn't do a lot of fictional dramas.  We talked for 2 min. and he was really nice.  I think we kind of built a bit of a rapport.  He did mention that he wanted to talk, because with email you can't exactly hear the tone of voice.

Canadian Short Screenplay Competition: I was going through my papers on my desk and found my MacEwan Alumni newsletter.  I had kept this page about the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition.  I Googled it and I haven't searched it before because the link wasn't highlighted.  I then looked at The Vertex Fighter blog, and it turns out I did write about in Sept. 2011.

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

http://thevertexfighter.blogspot.ca/search?q=canadian+short+screenplay+competition

Movieola: Also from the newsletter, it mentioned this Toronto channel.  It shows short films, 40min and shorter.  I already get to watch short films on CHCH at 9pm on Fri. nights.  You can go on Youtube and search short films.

http://www.movieola.ca/

Yorkton Film Festival: In the newsletter it talked about this film festival in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  It turns out, it's been here for 65 yrs. 

http://www.goldensheafawards.com/default.aspx?page=24

David Cormican: He went to Grant MacEwan and took Theatre Arts, and that's why he was in the Alumni newsletter.  He is currently the head of development in Minds Eye Entertainment.  I think I pitched my script to them already.  He also created the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition. 

I'm going to say it: He's handsome.  Click on the video on the CSSC where he talks about it, you can see him.

Linked In: Good news today, a producer confirmed my invite to him on Linked In.

The Writer's Chronicle/ TV production/ Story of Movies

 This is from my www.badcb.blogspot.com:

Jul. 3 The Writer's Chronicle: I remembered I had this writer's magazine called The Writer's Chronicle in my closet.  I had gotten 2 issues for free when I was in one of my college writing classes.  The magazines are like 50 cm tall, 30 cm wide.  I'm reading it right now, though the issues are from 2006. 

The magazine is in it's 44th yr.  Check it out:

http://www.awpwriter.org/magazine/

TV production: Today I left a note to a producer.  Last month I had emailed him one week to ask if he got my submission form and script.  He didn't reply, so I called and left a message with my cell phone number.  I then emailed again.  Then today I left a note at his office.

I also did some unpaid work to get some experience. 

Jul. 4 Producer: A producer called in response to an email I sent a few weeks ago.  I emailed him back and he tells me about his company a bit and says he wants to chat with me.

Story of Movies: I was going through my old agenda from 2007, and found a website I wrote down called www.storyofmovies.org.  It's actually teaching kids in gr.6-8 on literacy in films.  The curriculum is developed by the film foundation.  The website is pretty good and inspirational to read.

producers/ screenwriters/ good news

 This is from my www.badcb.blogspot.com:

Jun. 27 Producer: I emailed a producer yesterday to apply for a position.  I had also sent him my The Vertex Fighter script back in Oct. 2011.  He mentions the technical tip that I should get the screenwriter software program Final Draft.  Some writers and producers told me that before. 

He also mentions the creative tip of showing it, not saying it.

Villains: I was going through my notes and I found the Writer in Residence Chris Craddock's notes on my Rain script.  It was the draft I had written back in 2010.  His tip is this: "Villains need to be imbued with power to be made a threat."

The notes aren't really useful now because the script has changed significantly.  Two characters have been written out, and sequences of events have changed.

Buffy: In my notes, I had written about the Buffy episode called "Passions."  It's where Angelus harasses Buffy and her friends like killing Willow's fish.  It got to the climax where he kills Giles's girlfriend Jenny Calender.

Jun. 28 Alberta Job Centre: I've noticed something today.  How come Alberta Job Centre hasn't been sending me any newsletters?  I checked and they haven't sent me anything since Feb.  However Job Boom continually send me newsletters.  AB Job Centre is an okay site to look for a job.

I haven't had any success with the job postings there, but maybe others have.  The articles are informative to read.

Rejects: I was going through my emails and I had sent my resume to this massage therapist who runs her studio at home.  It is office work like booking clients, but she also pays in cash. Here is an excerpt of her email: "...I have a girl who works with me now that makes $20/hr plus tips and made 225 cash in 8 hrs the other day."

I don't think she's running a scam or anything sleazy.  I guess there is that stereotype that massage therapists have to deal with that it's like prostitution.  There are some that are adult massage parlors.  Massage therapists is a respectable occupation.

Job interview answers: I also got an email from a dentist office to describe where I see myself in 2, 5, 10 yrs from now.  I said to be working in an office where I can use my skills and college education.  I also want to continue to learn and grow at work.

Screenwriters: I get these newsletters from the Great American Pitchfest in my professional email account.  There's a screenwriting camp for grown-up writers.  It's in the US, so of course I won't go.  lol.

Pilar Alessandra: She is one of the instructors and will be teaching "The Pitch."  Here's her 1min trailer of her promoting her book called The Coffee Break Screenwriter.  It's about using 10min of your time a day to write.  So don't say you don't have time, you do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkOcZ9jGbk0

However, it was cool that it lead me to all these writer videos.  Here's "Outline a story in under 5 min (or a little over.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRqCUmbI6TQ&feature=related

I got to watch these videos to learn about writing.  I usually read books or the internet about writing, but never videos.

Nichol Simons: This instructor will teach you how to write short films.  I looked up the person, and I got this.  I don't know if this is the right person, because there's no picture.  There is lots of short films in the credits.

 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799858/

Laura House: She's one of the instructors for "1/2 hr TV Writing: Creating and Selling."  I see she's written for comedy.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0396680/

Chad Gervich: He's the other instructor and written a lot of sitcoms.  Looks like the instructors know their material.  He's produced some reality TV shows too.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1941257/

Jennifer and David Skelly: They'll be teaching "Improv for writers and story brainstorming."  I can find Jennifer, but I can't find David.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1765171/

Kai Bowe: He teaches "Reality and Documentary."  His class description is: "Find story from real life!"  I always try to find creative fodder from real life.  I'm sure lots of writers do that too, but I don't want to do reality TV as my first choice. 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0100766/

Carole Kirschner and Doug Chamberlain: They will teach the business of film and TV by making connections and marketing yourself.  That sounds like a useful course.  Kirschner has only one credit.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1709449/

There are so many Doug Chamberlain's, I don't know which one:
http://www.imdb.com/find?q=Doug+Chamberlin&s=all

Steve Kaplan: He will be teaching comedy.  Now this guy has made a name for himself.  Check out all these funny TV shows and movies he's done.  He's selling all these classes in NYC, LA, and London.  His students have won Emmys, Academy Awards, and Golden Globes.

http://kaplancomedy.com/

Jun. 29 Website tips: Hannah Howard sent this article "10 Reasons your Site Needs to be Obvious for Users."  It's useful info for my blog.  The tips are to keep it simple and provide information that people are looking for on your site.  It mentions people have short attention spans and people are web-surfing which is like channel surfing.

http://www.longhornleads.com/blog/2012/10-reasons-your-site-needs-to-be-obvious-for-users/

3.5 floppy disk: I have this document on my 3.5 floppy disk.  It's some creative writing notes, and I don't remember what's exactly in it.  I tried to open it several times and it doesn't open.  I asked my friend Leslie if there is any way you can retrieve it.  She says: 

"Tracy, it's probably gone.  I would suggest you retrieve the rest of the files from the disk before its to late.  Please use a flash drive! Less moving parts means less chance of failure and file loss."

Good tips from her.  I deleted the document.  I gave it my best shot by opening the disk several times and then asking my friend about it.

Adora Svitak: She is a author, student, teacher who gives the "Outline a story in under 5 min (or a little over.)"  It's actually 11min. long.  It's a light and fun video.  Think of the basics like characters, setting, and plot.  She gave the tip of how characters change during a story.  They have to experience conflict and then learn from it and "gain wisdom and insight."

That made me think of The Vertex Fighter where the lead character does grow up and learn.  In Rain, I realized the lead Rain doesn't really change.  However, this other character does so maybe I have to put that character as the lead. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRqCUmbI6TQ&feature=related

Jul. 9 Good news: A producer finally confirmed that they have received my The Vertex Fighter script and synopsis.

Jul. 10: Another producer confirmed me on Linked In.

copyright/ behavior/ book

 This is from www.badcb.blogspot.com:

Jun. 18 Copyright: I got this from Twitter:
 "Keep a detailed log of all meetings, calls, and queries you’ve sent. This means keeping track of who you’ve talked to and what was said. This will help if there are any legal questions (like if somebody tries to steal your ideas) and it will also help you keep a record of contacts you’ve made. Never hesitate to contact an attorney."I already do that.  I have a folder of all the things I've worked on related to getting The Vertex Fighter script produced.

http://www.filmslatemagazine.com/filmmaking/how-to-protect-your-screenplay

Behavior: Today I got an email from a producer.  He also said I was abrupt.  I have improved a lot.  Whenever I get angry or agitated, I close my eyes for a few moments and think of something else.  It helps. 
Jun. 20 Lights Film School: The Edmonton Film School did lead me to the Lights Film School.  It's an online film school.

http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/program/index.html

Jun. 21 Envy Productions: I was going through my bookmarks and found "Envy Production Casting Calls in Nov."  I then Googled it and it promotes night clubs in Toronto and London, so it's not a TV production company.  I deleted the bookmark.

http://www.facebook.com/EnvyProduction

Green with Envy Productions: It lead me to this TV production company.  However, it seems to be more about theatre like the Winnipeg and Montreal Fringe Festival.  It does have a little film section.

http://www.greenwithenvyproductions.ca/film_kz.html

Plus One Publishing: I was going through my notes and I found that I wrote down "Plus One Books- local publishing company."  It lead me to Plus One Publishing which is based in Los Angeles.  They have a book called Why He's My Ex.  Here's the website, it looks pretty cool:    

http://www.plusonepublishing.com/About_Us.html

"Plus One Publishing is a boutique book publisher. Plus One specializes in dating, relationship, humor, photography, pop culture, film production, urban life, travel, quirky and fun themes. We enjoy telling stories with both words and pictures.

Our mission is to entertain, inform and share."

Plus One Books: However, in my notes it did say "local publishing company."  I'm not sure when I wrote down the note.  Maybe 2009.  I Googled "Plus One Books Edmonton", but there wasn't anything.

Plus One Press: I did find this small publishing company in San Francisco.

http://www.plusonepress.com/PlusOne_About_Main.htm

I also wrote down "workopolis.com" in the notes.  I haven't been to that site in a long time, but I'll guess I'll check it out.

Jun. 24 Personality quiz: I had applied to another office and then I got an email to do a personality quiz.  When I looked at it, I think I have done the same quiz when I applied at this other office last year.  There are group of words and you check which word describes the most like you and which is least like you.  It's like those personality quizzes I used to do in those teen magazines.

Book: Maybe it's the law of attraction working here.  The other day, my sister got the book Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google? by William Poundstone.  I read 2 chapters and it's a really good book.  I read the chapter about weird interview questions.  At Zappos, a question was: "How crazy are you from a scale of 1 to 10?"  If you say 1, then you're not very creative and won't get hired.  If you say 10, then you are too much of a loose cannon.

Pick somewhere in the middle, and you are creative. 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11786911-are-you-smart-enough-to-work-at-google

TV production: It must be the law of attraction or a coincidence, but I got 2 job leads in the TV production industry, so I applied there.