OC Screenwriters Association

I wasn't able to go last night to the opening gala so this was my first night at the fest.  To see some quick video hits from the opening go here.

In a word the festival is - fabulous.

The buzz is so great at all the venues.  Everyone seems excited just to be there.  And every audience member becomes a film critic coming out of the showings.  "Too slow."  "Didn't hold together."  "Wrong ending."  "Too much jumping around in the narrative."  Gotta love it.  So much interest in film in this county - makes me happy I'm a small part of it.  

The filmmakers too - met so many great ones even in just a short time.  Ran into friends and fellow screenwriters - great energy, great fun.

I think what I enjoy most is watching the excited faces of the directors and producers whose film is showing - they glow like proud and nervous parents showing their children off for the first time.  Having attended many film openings in Los Angeles, I can say categorically that the feeling is exactly the same no matter how many people have shown up to see the film and even in the smallest of venues.  All the hard work, endless hours, constant frustration are put behind - here now is the culmination of many, many days and weeks of backbreaking work.  These men and women are happy and it shows.  This business has so few peak moments, it's really nice to see and vicariously live through a few more.

Our press passes allow us in and out of just about any venue.  That came in very handy when the movie I targeted for early afternoon was canceled because the idiot filmmakers never sent their film to the festival.  I slipped into the "O Canada" Short Film showing instead.  I'll cover the shorts in a different article.

Since the festival is at several different venues, travel can be a challenge at times - especially during rush hour.  But if you plan properly (and the festival guide they have is really terrific for that) you can do it right.  But thank God it's The OC and not L.A. or that burden would be thrice cursed and beyond frustrating.  Just figure out a surface street route and avoid the freeways.

After the shorts at the Island Cinemas, my second venue being the Regency South Coast Village Theater, I had to beat feet across town to see both "Below the Beltway" and the odd, funny "Elektra Luxx." 

"Below The Beltway" is a sly, acerbic look at the machinations in Washington D.C.  It was professionally shot and acted with solid production values.  You could tell that the screenwriters didn't have a ton of experience with which to tell the story, though.  There were lagging moments and the build up to the "climax" was poorly handled (too obvious and there was no real cinemactic moment.)  The story wandered and lost  focus, and the story threads spun out unevenly and without precision but it was entertaining nonetheless with some amusing moments and funny lines.

This was the world premiere and I'm sure you'll see it running somewhere soon.  I thought this film would make an excellent television series and I hope the filmmakers can convince some show runner to do just that.  We have video of the Q&A and some exclusive video with the producer, Jim Wareck (who also co-wrote the script) that we'll post to the YouTube page soon.

"Elektra Luxx" - now how to describe this one?  "Crash" threaded through the porn industry - but funny?  Sexy?  Jaw droppingly inappropriate?  A challenge to follow at times?  Slow?  Profane, Mundane and Insane? (my attorneys)  Yes, all of those.  But the film has a good heart and a ton of stars.  

You get so involved in the lives of the people in the film that you forget (almost) that they're talking, and in some cases doing, the most abberant things in a matter-of-fact manner.  You know you're in dicey territory when the lead is mentioning how her hair looks with her ankles by her ears.

This one was filled with stars including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Carla Gugino in the lead role.  There's no purpose served in describing the wafer-thin plot - just watch it and smile a lot.  I probably would have dialed back some of the performances - a bit over-the-top - but Gugino was nearly perfect in her role as a former porn star who is now facing the frightening prospect of motherhood.  If you like your films on the raunchy, quirky, sometimes funny side, this is for you.  

"Elektra Luxx" is actually part two of a triology:  The first is "Women in Trouble."  The third ("Women In Ecstacy") is still listed as in development.  There's not even a script yet but hopefully the filmmakers will pull it all together in time for next year's fest.

I do wish that more of the cast and crew had shown up for the Q&A but big ups to actress Adrianne Palicki (Holly Rocket) for coming and brightening our evening with her fabulous smile and entertaining manner.

I begged off from the after parties - just too tired.  Hard to imagine that simply watching films will do that to you.  But I'll continue to post some impressions and quick reviews.  Thanks again to Rudy Garcia for manning the camera.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they have a scriptwriting, directing and music seminar. The Seminar Series is free. No tickets are required. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Panelists are subject to change.  The scriptwriting one is at 10:30 AM.

Honestly, anyone who loves film should try and get out to see a few flicks.  What a great film resource this is and it's right here!  You don't have to go Sundance or Telluride to see challenging, inspirational, experimental and world premiered films

Great films, beautiful weather, celebrities...is that too SoCal or what?

What more could you ask for?

The first videos of opening night of the Newport Beach Film Festival are up on our YouTube page.  OCSWA members Tom Sullivan and Rudy Garcia do the reporting thing.

HERE

Scriptwriting Classes at Irvine Valley College - Mark Sevi

 Scriptwriting Classes
 Taught by a Professional Screenwriter (credits)

CLASSES ONGOING and RUN EVERY 8-10 WEEKS.

These writing classes are through IVC Continuing Education: Website (123getsmart.com) for more information, or call Community Ed (949) 451-5555 if the information is not yet on the website.  
You can also leave a voicemail at 949.610.4299

Learn how to write a script but more importantly learn techniques on how to tell a complete and compelling story!

Get that movie/TV series/animation idea on paper!  Don't think about it - do it now!  
What are you waiting for?  Seriously!

Find Current Info, Leave Questions at the Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/scriptwritingclasses)

Each class (Intro/Intermediate) has a bit different focus but they are both fundamentally geared to learn film theory, practice, and to write, write, write.

Each week we will watch a movie at home, break it down in class, and work on our material in a hands-on, dynamic workshop.

Work with other students in a fun, interactive setting.

ABOUT MARK SEVI (please see IMDB.com for Mark's film credits if link doesn't work)

• 25+ scripts sold, 19 movies produced including "Devil's Knot" with Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth
• Articles on Screenwriting for Writer’s Digest, Salon. com and various other pubs and contributor to various books on scriptwriting.
• Featured speaker at writing conferences and colleges.
• Teaching screenwriting for 12+ years.
• President and founder of The Orange County Screenwriters Association (Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | MeetUp)

QUESTIONS?  

You can go to MarkSevi.Com and use the contact form to send a message. Or reply through this ad.
Call 949.451.5555 or 949.610-4299 or send an email (using above REPLY link) through this ad or leave a message on www.facebook.com/scriptwritingclasses.

REMEMBER TO GET A PARKING STICKER!  There is no "amnesty" for new students.

When I was a kid, my dad and I would go fishing a lot.  No matter where we went, what time of year or whatever weather we almost always heard the same thing: You should have been here last week - when the fishing was really good.

That's the feeling I got attending the Anaheim Comic Con today and Friday - I probably should have been there on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I couldn't so I went in-between the show's busiest day.  

Today you really got an end-of-show feeling.  Booth denziens were looking a little ragged; merchandise was discounted, and there wasn't a lot of people there when we walked in at 10:00am.

I didn't stay until the end of the show today but I did stay until about 2:00pm and it unfortunately seemed light in attendance all throughout. I really thought there would be more people there today.  Sunday is usually a zoo at San Diego Comic Con.

As I walked the hall with OCSWA board member and fanboy Victor Phan, I talked to the booth inhabitants about their impressions on the show.  I didn't hear any serious griping about the event organizers or the setup which is good news.  Most felt the space was adequate and even generous.  Some of the vendors I questioned said they were happy with the event attendance on whole and some not.

Both Victor and I noticed that, unlike the big Con, this one you could see everything which was nice.  There is such a thing as too much success.  In San Diego, you really can't even move at times through the aisles.  Here you could and it was much appreciated. 

Most of the celebs were still signing; the Jedi Knights and 501st Legion were still walking the hall and faux fighting, and there were plenty of costumed fans so the energy got higher as the morning wore on even given the lighter-than-expected turnout.  I'm sure next year will be better and better attended.  The organizers obviouly have enough room to grow.

I liked some of what the organizers tried to accomplish regarding the dancing girls of scifi, some of the kids stuff and the "B" celebrities in attendance.  The food was terrible, though.  I'm still belching up the horrible vegetarian egg rolls I ate there today.  Insipid and greasy - not a great combo.  The coffee was good.

Perhaps as the show grows there will be more panels and workshops.  That's become a big part of San Diego Comic Con and it was missing here.  A lot of excitement is generated in the S.D. Con by the idea of listenting to and talking to some of the writers and creators of the various comics, movies and Internet properties.

All in all, today was fun (as was Friday) and I think the organizers have to count the whole event as a success.  Wizard, the company behind this event, is also doing events in various other big cities like Atlanta, Philly, Austin, etc. - 12 in all.  Anaheim was the first.

Perhaps with some additions to the slate, better notice, better press and better word of mouth this event will someday rival the big daddy in San Diego.  I certainly hope it will continue.  It was a solid thumbs up for me and I'm looking forward to going back next year...

Many thanks to the organizers and to Jerry Milani who helped with the press passes and press kits.

Next week - on to the Newport Beach Film Festival

Since there is already an excellent review of the film and the brothers Edgerton on this site this review will be brief and not talk much about what's already been covered.

On Saturday night at the Regency Theater, I got the distinct pleasure of meeting Nash Edgerton, director and producer of "The Square" and short film, "Spider."  Nash was personable and accessible.  He is totally without pretense.  What you see is what you get and that's already pretty special since his body of work shows a filmmaker who is in touch with exactly what he wants. 

Nash and I got a chance to talk a little before the Q&A at a restaurant near the theater.  I found him thoughtful but as mentioned, he was straight ahead with his ideas and ideals about film.  Even though this is his first feature, he's been working in the business as a director, stunt person, producer and actor for over 20 years.  He's vetted and a veteran of many years of being in the trenches both here in Hollywood and in Aussie Land.  This leads to him being down-to-earth and realistic about his work.  It also gives him a level of skill not normally seen in 1st-time feature directors.  He moves the camera with the best of them and gets terrific performaces out of his actors - the result of doing, learning and absorbing from working as a stuntman on some pretty good features.

Joel Edgerton, Nash's brother, wrote the script (and has a pivotal role in the film) and then Nash and he tweaked it.  According to Nash during the Q&A, the ending was completely different than the stunner we see now.  He wasn't happy with the original ending so he and Joel worked out a different one - a much more existential ending.  All of Nash's work seems this way - very human, naturalistic.

Script in hand and in shape, Nash took a camera and crew and made it real using a crew and people that Nash had worked with over the years.  We unfortunately didn't get too much into the hows and whys of the production - someone in the audience derailed the Q&A a bit with a rather dopey comment  - but the film itself was less than 2 million (American) in budget - less than the salaries of most lead actors.

The movie itself is filled with sly and distracting moments.  Just when you think you know what's going on, trust me you don't.  This tells me that these veterans of the film world are both fans who have a deep appreciation of what's come before them, but also a distinct sense of how to break out of that repetitive Hollywood paradigm.  Nash mentioned "Jaws" as being one of his favorite films and one scene in the movie in particular lends credence to that notion.

The audience who stayed (most everyone) after the feature to listen to the Q&A was very receptive to both the movie and Nash.  I was in the theater when this particular event happened in the movie - a real shocker moment - and everyone to a person made a vocal exclamation when it happened - that told me that everyone there was on the same page - pages that Nash designed specifically knowing what effect it would have.  

The entire film is done that way - deliberate and with precise knowledge about what a person watching would be expecting - then the story goes in a completely different direction than you expect.  Nash said "The affair isn't this amazingly romatic and intense thing.  It's like real affairs - sort of mundane but sprinkled with both intensely good and bad moments."  Nash directs with real people in mind - how would Joe Everyman act.

This tone infuses the production with an amazing vercacity.  You're rarely out of the moment.  What happens happens because it feels organic to the story, not because it "had" to.

This is a serious and creative filmmaker who appears to be building a group of talented film people around him, including his multi-talented brother, Joel.  Check out bluetonguefilms.com (here) as well as Apparition Films, the distributor who seems very capable of recognizing talent.

I wish we had had more time with Nash in the theater so we could really explore his attitudes toward film but there was another showing coming up and we were only able to talk to him as an audience for a short time.  I had the feeling that we could have gone hours and Nash would have been as amiable, funny and interesting no matter how long a time it was.

Thanks to Vicky Eguia from Apparition and Larry Porricelli from The Regency Theater for helping with all the arrangements that lead to last night's showing and a most insightful Q&A.

THE SQUARE
some things can't be buried

7 AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY AWARD NOMS!

Mention OC Screenwriters at the box office and get your ticket for only $7.00!

SATURDAY, APRIL 17th, 7:30pm at the Regency South Coast Village Theater. 

1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, CA. (Directly across the street from South Coast Plaza) (map)

With a Q&A following the 7:30pm showing with director Nash Edgerton moderated by Mark Sevi of OC Screenwriters.

“One of the best films of the year. The best film noir since ‘Body Heat’.”
- Harry Knowles, aintitcool.com

“Suspenseful and harshly funny.”
- A.O. Scott, The New York Times

“(The Square) has a smooth rhythm from start to finish, blending elegance with a macabre sensibility...”
“Work(s) like gangbusters”
  - Eric Kohn, Indiewire

When: Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 7:30pm showing
What: Screening and Q&A with director Nash Edgerton and also Edgerton's toxic short film "Spider."
Where: Regency South Coast Village Theater (map)
 

The Screenwriters Workshop will be screening the Edda nominated documentary Alfred Eliasson & Loftleidir Icelandic. Writer/director/member Sigurgeir Orri will join us to talk about the process of making the film and answer questions.

This event will take place at Orange Coast College. Arts Center Building off Parking Lot D. Room 216.  You can buy a Visitor parking permit at the Arlington entrance or park in metered space.

Non-members do not need to RSVP for this event.  More Information can be found here: http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Screenwriters-Workshop/calendar/12997221/

This weekend in Burbank, Monsterpalooza haunts the Marriott Burbank Convention Center.

Along with OCSWA board member, producer/director Eric Hensman and seemingly everyone from his immediate family, I ventured forth into the stinking bowels of hell (or actually the front lobby.)

Eric was there to promote his latest project and I was there to pass out cards for our May 22nd event.  And we were both there as fan boys eager to drink in the aroma of the undead and the hauntings that give us the creeps late at night.

I did run into screenwriter/producer Bill Martell and had a nice talk with him but otherwise I didn't know many people there personally.  However, the amount of B-movie stars and special effects houses was plenty to keep both Eric and I more than entertained.

People like actress Eileen Dietz, who was the devil/body double in the Exorcist, and comedian Jonathan Winters (although I wasn't sure why he was there) populated the main floor and many rooms at the Marriott.  I had a great conversation with retired actor Joe Turkel, who played Dr. Elden Tyrell in "Blade Runner" and with Tony Todd who's done a ton of B-movie roles including the remake of "Night of the Living Dead."  I ended up buying a photo from Joe and he wrote on it "More human than human is our motto."  Brilliant!

Producer/writer Sean Clark and the cast and crew of new horror flick "The Black Waters of Echo's Pond" (link) were there to do a signing.  The movie looks scary and creepy - just perfect for the fans who lined the hallway to wait for a signed poster.  We're (OCSWA) going to try to get a screening down here at the Regency.

The show itself was great fun; the people there were having a grand time and I just walked the floor and drank in all the cheeseball I could handle.  Even though a show like this pales in comparison to something like San Diego ComicCon, it was big enough to enjoy and small enough to cover in a reasonable amount of time.  It's spring convention-time, folks, and starting with this cool mid-sized event was the perfect warmup for the monster (no pun) show in San Diego in July. 

Geared primarily to the effects masters who bring you all the weeping, puss-filled, seepingly disgusting wounds that we see our horror and scifi actors adorned with, Monsterpalooza had many effects houses featured in the various rooms.  There were hands-on demos and activities for kids.  The level of artistry is breaktaking when you see it up close and many sf/x houses had their models on display.

This is why it's so cool living in SoCal - industry events that are only minutes away and filled with both the wonder and sometimes-painful reality of show business (if you've ever seen autograph-signing scene in"The Wrestler" you know what I mean.)

Only in its second year, I predict big things for this show.  Founders Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero of KNB EFX have done a credible job of putting together a good mix of fan-intensive and industry-related events and presentations.

The cost is resonable ($20.00) and we were even able to buy tickets on Eric's iPhone while we standing in line.

It's running one more day (today, Sunday April 11) and if you can get out to see it go.  If not, mark it down for next year. (link)

Like I said, it's convention-time - go see as many of these shows as you can and take advantage of all the film culture you're surrounded with here in Southern California.

Legendary Screenwriter, Producer, Comic Book Author, Novelist, Journalist...J. Michael Straczynski.

His credits include: Changeling, Babylon 5, Ninja Assassin, Jeremiah, Lensman, Silver Surfer, Twilight Zone, Thor," and many more! (credits) 

When: Saturday, May 22, 2010
10:00am-1:00pm
Where: The Regency South Coast Village Theater (map)
1561 W Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, CA‎- (714) 557-5701‎
How much: Free.

Also,radio personality  Manny Pacheco will be talking about his book "Forgotten Hollywood, Forgotten History" with renowned OC journalist and radio host Gary Lycan.

Join us for a Q&A and then a rousing discussion led by JMS as he details his career and tips about working in Hollywood.

JMS will be signing autographs after the event!

JMS' movie "Changeling" starring Angelina Jolie was a critical and commercial smash.  Directed by superstar Clint Eastwood, it details the true story about a shameful moment in Los Angeles history. 

 He currently has five films in production including "Lensman" for Academny Award winning director Ron Howard.

Emmy, Hugo, Saturn, Eisner and Bradbury Award Winner / BAFTA (British Academy Award) nominee.

 In his nearly thirty-year career, JMS has worked for some of the top directors and producers in Hollywood. The breath and depth of his screenwriting and producing career is vast; but his skills extend even further into novels, short stories, comic books, journalism - just about anything and everything you can imagine a writer to be, he is.

Join us and the man Variety has called "the consumate professional." It's FREE! and EVERYONE'S WELCOME! 

Networking! Swag! Giveaways!  ZOMBIES? (not so much)

JOIN US!

(newsletter link)

In 1981, my middle sister fell in love with a stop motion adventure film called "Clash of the Titans."  Two full months ago she called to tell me that she wanted to go and to be first in line for the remake.  The Lido Theater in Newport Beach (3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.673.8350) had two showings on April 1st at 8:00pm and 10:30pm ahead of the announced April 2nd opening.

We were first in line for the first showing. 

My sister was thrilled.  And actually, so was I - well maybe thrilled is a bit strong.

Despite having my doubts about the remake(remembering the original cheesy 1981 version) I was won over by the no-nonsense acting, the fun and spectacular special effects, and the realization that all I really had to do was sit back and enjoy this well-constructed popcorn movie.

Clash loosely follows the Greek myth of demi-God Perseus (Zeus (Liam Neeson) was his father.)  Australian actor Sam Worthinton ("Avatar")  plays Perseus.  At the time of Perseus' young adulthood (after being found as a baby by a fisherman,) man is intent on throwing off the yolk of the gods and their often capricious and damaging nature.  Perseus, like all good heroes, has a larger-than-life journey that involves strange creatures, heroic sacrifices and a never-ending supply of human frustration with the gods until he reaches his final destination.  He has to find a way to defeat Hades' (Ralph Fiennes) child, the monstrous Kraken, in order to save the city of Argos and the beautiful princess who will be sacrificed to said Kraken if Perseus doesn't make it back in time.

I chewed through a bag of corn in nothing flat.

Some of the effects in "Clash of the Titans" were as exciting and well-presented as "Avatar."  There were only a few times, like in Avatar, where you felt that you weren't seeing the real thing.  A sequence involving Medusa (another hapless victim of the gods) was as good as anything I've seen.  

SIDENOTE:  There was the most cheesy mechanical owl in the original - you'd have to see the 1981 version to understand how stupid and irrelevant it was.  The filmmakers give that piece of film cheddar a sly and funny nod.  Look for it

If I had one major criticism of Clash it was that they spent too little time making you feel close to the main character and his journey.  His quest was epic and just, but lacked heart.  They (everyone) said all the right things to him ("This is your destiny, Perseus"  "You were born to defeat the Gods" "If I had your gifts...," etc.) but there was no real impact in those concepts.  Scenes with Perseus as a child should have set up a strong internal need but it never felt real.

Even with another demi-god (Io) serving as a love interest (Bond girl, stunner Gemma Arterton) I couldn't get close to Perseus.  A few more in-depth talking scenes could have helped because the pacing of this film is oddly frenetic; parts felt like they were missing - the only thing stitching it together was the clear goal of the quest.  But then again, Worthington doesn't seem to have a tremendous range so maybe that was purposeful - but he is a damned believeable action star and in a film like this that's all that matters anyway.  

SIDENOTE 2: The Lido was a perfect place to see Clash.  Built in 1938,  this is a most special theater.  With a new digital 3D projector (the only one in Newport Beach,) a new, actual silver screen, and a sound system that was insanely thunderous but perfectly clean, it was a total film experience.  Practically everything in the Lido has been restored and rebuilt.  It's also one of the few theaters that still has a balcony which is just nuts in today's stadium seating world.  If you really want an old school theater experience (with a state-of-the-art presentation and 622 seats) there is no better place than the Lido.  The Lido is recognized by Newport Beach as historical architecture.  You can read more about it here if you're interested.

"Clash of the Titans" is rated PG-13 and I'm thinking that some of the creatures and moments would be challenging for kids so make sure your little ones are prepared.

This isn't brilliant filmmaking but it is good enough to recommend with enthusiasm.  If you're a fan of this type of mindless action, grab a hot bag of corn, a sugary carbonated drink of your choice and sit back and be vastly entertained.

You'll probably see my sister there in line - again and again.