Philippa Burgess' Industry Notes:: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

SFWC 2011 Round Up & Workshop Info

Hi Everyone,

Happy Oscars! Awards season is

always a fun time in Los Angeles.

I've been away in SF for the

SF Writers Conference (www.sfwriters.org)

which is absolutely one of my favorite

writers' conferences. This is now

my 5th year presenting there.

It is always great to see our colleagues

and friends. I also love spending time

with emerging writers and content creators

-- several of whom are joining us for our

next Mini-Media Brand Workshop.

You can download and listen to

many of the SFWC sessions at the new

SF Writers University (www.sfwritersu.com).

Some are free and the others are $10.

I also wanted to be sure to extend

the information about our next

Media Brand Workshop to you as a friend of

our company. I've taught this as a

3 or 6 month program in previous years.

For 2011 we decided to introduce

it as a 1 month mini-workshop.

Here's the info:

Mini-Media Brand Workshop

with Philippa Burgess

March 1 - March 31, 2011

$150 for 1 Month Session

Interested in Working Across

Media Platforms?

Want a Better Understanding of Your

Brand & Cross-Platform Marketing

Strategy?

SUCCESS STORIES!

Alumni have gone on to:

Secure Representation - Publish Books -

Sell TV Movies - Create & Promote Apps,

Games, Ebooks & Webseries - Get National

Media Coverage - Garner Interest from

Studios & Networks - Produce & Sell Digital

Content - Improve Social Networks, Blogs

& Websites - Enhance Public Profile

Mini-Session Includes:

MATERIAL REVIEW

Writer Bio, Website, Blogs & Articles

Marketing Plans/Materials, Video,

Scripts & Manuscripts

PRIVATE CONSULTS

Approx. Total of 1 Hour of

Consults with 2 Scheduled

30 Minute Sessions

2 LIVE TELESEMINAR LECTURES

Mondays 5:30PM PT - 6:30PM PT

(Live Nationwide)

March 14 & March 28

REGISTER & JOIN US:

http://bit.ly/mini-workshop-march

WORKSHOP GOAL

1) See what you've got

2) Learn about your goals

3) Consider realities/opportunities in marketplace

4) Clarify your brand promise & steps forward

If you think this can benefit you,

we'd love to have you join us.

--

Here is a round-up of SFWC 2011

Speakers & Resources you may want

to learn more about:

SF Writers University

www.sfwritersu.com

The Writer

www.writermag.com

Writer's Digest

www.writersdigest.com

ScriptShark

www.scriptshark.com

Free Report on 2010 Publishing Marketplace

from ScriptShark

www.scriptshark.com/freebie/SFWC

Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards

http://awardsforebooks.com

DIY Authors Conference

www.bookexpoamerica.com/DIY

Book Expo America

www.bookexpoamerica.com

Alan Rinzler (Independent Editor)

www.alanrinzler.com

Credit the Edit

www.credittheedit.com

ExpertClick

www.expertclick.com

Writer's Relief

www.writersrelief.com

Nina Amir's Inspiration-to-Creation

www.copywrightcommunications.com

Author Solutions

www.authorsolutions.com

AME

www.amarketingexpert.com

www.booksweepstakes.com

California Writers Club

www.calwriters.org

Bowker Manuscript Submissions

www.bowkermanuscriptsubmissions.com

HubPages

www.hubpages.com/info/writers

Authority Publishing

www.authoritypublishing.com

Eager Mondays

www.eagermondays.com

--

To your success,

Philippa

SFWC 2011 Round Up & Workshop Info

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

SF Writers Conference 2011

Hi Everyone,

We had a great time in SF this past weekend! It was great to reconnect with our industry colleagues and friends. We always appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with our course alum and several of them were in the mix at this year's conference.

I promised those who attended my lectures that I would post my Power Point presentation on my blog for them to download.

Here they are:

BUILDING YOUR BRAND: Leveraging the Power of Hollywood, Publishing & Publicity
Download Handout: http://s3.amazonaws.com/CreativeConvergence/Building+Your+Brand.pdf

STORYTELLING IN ANY PLATFORM: Creating Fiction That Works in Any Media
Download Handout: http://s3.amazonaws.com/CreativeConvergence/Storytelling+in+Any+Platform2.pdf

I also shared the offer for my upcoming Mini-Media Brand Workshop (Feb 28 - March 28). Learn more at: http://s3.amazonaws.com/CreativeConvergence/Media+Workshop+Flyer+and+Orderform.pdf

If you'd like to learn more about the SF Writers Conference visit: www.sfwriters.org.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us at the conference.

I encourage anyone who'd like to get published or learn more about marketing yourself as a writer to check it out. It is absolutely one of our favorite writers conferences out there.

To your success,

Philippa

Monday, February 14, 2011

Updates & Announcements from Creative Convergence Inc.

Hi Everyone,

We’re hoping you
enjoyed Valentine’s Day!

Here’s some info we want to
share with you:

– Screenwriting Career Intensive starts 2/15
– Mini-Media Brand Workshop March session
– Meet us in SF
– Latest Article: 7 Strategies to Get
Your Script Produced
MP3 Interview with Lit Manager

–
Screenwriting Career Intensive

I start my Screenwriting Career Intensive
(8 session teleseminar course tomorrow)
Tuesday, 2/15 at 5:30PM PT. If you are
a screenwriter or emerging producer,
we hope you’ll join us.
8 Session Teleseminar Program
February 15 – March 16
Plus 5 Bonus Sessions with
Agents / Managers
Lecture Topics Include:
– Your Signature Story & Power of Media Brand
– Navigating Studio, Independent & Indie Film
– Navigating Network, Cable TV & New Media
– Working with Execs, Producers & Talent
– Working with Agents, Managers & Attorneys
– Marketing Yourself & Your Script
– Picture the Deal: Standards, Practices
& Pitfalls
Save 50 Dollars with Discount Code: career50
http://bit.ly/scriptcareer
–

Mini-Media Brand Workshop

We’re also enjoying our Mini-Media Brand
Workshop and if you’re developing content
and would like our feedback and strategic
guidance to take your content and marketing
to the next level you also invited to join
us. This workshop is $150 for the month
and includes material review with (approx.
1 hour) 3 one-on-one calls.

Group calls on 2/28, 3/14 and 3/28 at 5:30PM PT
plus MP3, online group & supplemental materials.
I look at blogs, websites, articles, online
video, marketing plans, scripts & manuscripts.
The focus of our discussion is on your
brand identity, creating a cross-platform
strategy, audience, marketing,
action steps & networking opportunities.
Sign up for Mini-Media Brand Workshop
at: http://bit.ly/mini-workshop-march

Here’s just what one of our participants
from our February Mini-Media Brand Workshop
has to say:

“I chose to work with Philippa after sampling
her expertise, work ethic and approachability
during her Screenwriting Career Intensive
Teleseminar course. She is focused, practical
and wise about the strategies content creators
need to hone and market their projects.
As a professional writer, she informed and
challenged me. Her industry experience enabled
her to ask insightful questions no else had.
She made me think differently about my voice
and how to protect it while seeking the right
opportunities.
I recommend Philippa highly to any content
creator willing to listen, learn and apply the
tools she recommends to transform your work,
reach your audience and achieve your business
goals.”
Robin Farmer, professional freelance writer
& journalist

–

Meet us in SF

We look forward to catching up with
colleagues, friends and several of
our course participants who will be
joining us at the San Francisco
Writers Conference (SFWC) this weekend.
I’ll be there speaking with two
session on Storytelling
Across all Platforms and Building a
Media Brand: Leveraging the Power of
Hollywood, Publishing & Publicity.
The conference is sold-out but there
is still room in the Pre/Post Conference
Sessions. More info at:
www.sfwriters.org.

Let us know if you are the SF area
and want to say hello while I am
town this weekend.
–
Latest Article

We’re getting ready for Awards Season
here in Hollywood and that subject inspired
my latest article.

Are You Ready to Be a Hollywood Insider?
7 Strategies to Get Your Script Produced

It’s awards season. The red carpets,
glamorous gowns and acceptance speeches.
It’s also that time of year that if you’re
like many screenwriters you feel that yearn
to get you ideas off the page and onto the
big screen. Whether it’s a dramatic piece
that you hope will be an awards’ favorite
or a light-hearted popcorn flick, you know
in your heart, that you want a produced
film in your future. Here are 7 strategies
to make that dream come true.
Click to read full article:
http://bit.ly/7tipsproduced

–
MP3 of Interview with Lit Manager

I recently chatted with our
friend Andrew Kersey as one of
our Screenwriting Career Intensive
Agent/Manager Bonus Sessions
We bring in Hollywood Agents/
Managers to Speak to Our Participants
to Help Guide Them to Securing the
Right Representation.
Here is MP3 of Interview with
Hollywood Literary Manager
Andrew Kersey of
Kersey Management
http: bit.ly/htjgx1
–

Recap

Sign up for Screenwriting Career Intensive
at: http://bit.ly/scriptcareer
use coupon code: Career50
Sign up for Mini-Media Brand Workshop
at: http://bit.ly/mini-workshop-march
Sign up for San Francisco Writers
Pre/Post Conference Sessions.
www.sfwriters.org.
Click to read full article:
http://bit.ly/7tipsproduced
Mp3 of Interview with Hollywood
Literary Manager, Andrew Kersey
of Kersey Management
http: bit.ly/htjgx1
–
To your success,
Philippa

Are You Ready to Be a Hollywood Insider? 7 Strategies to Get Your Scripts Produced

It’s awards season. The red carpets, glamorous gowns and acceptance speeches. It’s also that time of year that if you’re like many screenwriters you feel that yearn to get your ideas off the page and onto the big screen. Whether it’s a dramatic piece that you hope will be an awards’ favorite or a light-hearted popcorn flick, you know in your heart, that you want a produced film in your future. Here are 7 strategies to make that dream come true.

Write a Studio-Style Commercial Spec. The commercial spec script market isn’t what it used to be in terms of actual sales, but the infrastructure still exists between reps, studio producers and studio executives. It’s the fastest way to get representation and for them to do their job of getting you read and known by top-shelf production companies and studio executives quickly and competitively. Your best bet is finding a fresh idea in a familiar genre with exceptional execution. Generally speaking you want to write a contemporary story that is a horror, thriller, action, action-comedy, romantic comedy or broad comedy. The key is not to just guess at what could be a good idea, but to get real feedback on it’s viability before you start writing, based on a number of factors including your style, voice and skill in relationship to recent sales and box office successes and failures. Then get that script covered by a coverage service and use their feedback to shine it into a sparkling gem. With a “recommended” script, they can be a great ally in helping you get to the right representative or producer.

Write a Script with a Big Idea That Can Be Produced under $5 Million. Although the studios are making fewer original scripts you’ll also see that cable channels, international co-productions and guerilla filmmakers are all quite actively producing films for under $5 million. This is basically stories that can be shot with a few locations, a limited amount of actors and avoid expensive period recreation, action scenes or effects. Lifetime Movie Network, Disney Channel, Showtime, FX, HBO and MTV among others make movies for television premiere that often also end up on DVD. Producers typically follow the money, and these days they are finding tax incentives, investment funds and crew in various states and countries, and look for scripts that they like that can shoot in those locations within certain budget parameters. Actors also look for interesting roles that showcase their talents and since the attachments of name talent are key to financing, the more attractive your characters the easier this makes the process. Today’s “Black Swan” started as yesterday’s “Pi”.

Write & Produce Shorts/New Media Projects. Many a career was started with a short film. Whether it was produced in film school such as George Lucas’ “THX1138″ or my own USC classmates Luke Greenfield’s post-college shorts “The Right Hook” (“The Girl Next Door”) or Joe Nussbaum’s “George Lucas in Love” (“Sydney White”) these get attention. “South Park” was initially a short produced as a holiday greeting tape and the “The Simpsons” were interstitials on the “Tracy Ullman Show”. Nowadays, there are lots of categories being recognized for new media festivals that are open for competition such as webseries, produced for mobile, shot on mobile and Apps. Writing and producing short content is a great way to gain practical experience and find new fans. Chris Milk’s 2010 music video for Arcade Fire “We Used To Wait/The Wilderness Downtown” (www.thewildernessdowntown.com) is a example of new media, mixing video content with technology that generated significant buzz for its innovation and gained him representation at WME for feature films. Many of the industry guilds have new media departments and there are a lot of film, television, gaming, publishing and technology companies and organizations that are invested in tapping this new area of content and innovation.

Write a Book, Play, Graphic Novel or Comic Book. These days more and more projects are crossing media platforms. We’ve produced, represented and advised several projects in this space including ones that started as a feature script, became a graphic novel and sold to a network as a series; started as a feature pitch based on life rights, sold as a book and then sold book rights to a studio, and took published books to sold them for network TV series. Publishing and Hollywood are different industries, but they need each other. Certain ideas are more saleable if they’ve been vetted and proven by another market. As marketing has become more expensive for the studios they are increasingly interested in material, stories, mythology and characters that already exist in public consciousness. Plus your passion projects, especially if they are dramatic features have a much better chance as a film if they are based on a book. Bonus is if you create underlying rights and your idea has sequel, spin-off or merchandising potential, you’ll get a much better deal if you own the underlying rights before it becomes a screenplay – whether you are the one who pens it or not.

Secure Life Rights. Cable television in particular is interested in true stories. They often look for an ordinary story about an extraordinary person (famous or infamous), or an extraordinary story (participation in historic or timely event, tragedy, courage or cure) about an ordinary person. Some examples of our work in this area include a client secured life rights based on article and we facilitated as cable movie and we advised one of our course participants for her life rights to be written as articles in major magazines and then her story was acquired and produced as a cable movie. There is a lot to be said to keeping your ear to the ground for a great true story. Sometime that story may be your own, but working with a good coach to help you get the perspective and the angle can be invaluable. In some cases, you may acquire or present the rights and be in the mix of the deal, but be bought out, get a shared credit, or assigned a mid or lower level producer credit such as co-producer or associate producer. It other cases you may write the script and get full credit for it. The trick here is to be open and listen to what makes the most sense to get the deal together.

Attend Conferences & Film Festivals. The best way to get into the business is to participate in the business. The more you can get on the ground to meet people and engage in meaningful conversations about the craft, business, trends, people and opportunities the easier it will be to move farther faster. If you are in TV, I recommend LATVFest, for Screenwriting there are a number of conferences from Screenwriting Expo to Great American Pitchfest as well as Sundance Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, AFM, BanffMedia, among hundreds of others that get you face-to-face with industry professionals, teachers, mentors and peers. In addition to live events, there are many virtual events and resources such as teleseminars, podcasts and online membersites and discussion boards. Some of theses resources include Scriptshark, Done Deal, OpenFilm, ScriptShadow, ScriptChat, OnthePage, SellYourTVConceptNow, TrackingB, Trigger Street, MillionDollarScreenwriting, ScreenwritingU and Zeotrope, just to name a few.

Sign Up for Screenwriting Career Intensive. This 8 Session teleseminar program that I facilitate was designed to share everything a writer, content creator or emerging producer needs to know. It’s based on what we’ve learned about the business from working in it over the last 15 years starting at ICM. The course is easy to participate in and can be accessed on the phone, via MP3 and in the online discussion group. We cover film, TV, new media; working with executives, producers, talent & agents, managers & attorneys, plus marketing yourself & your script and dealmaking standards, practices and pitfalls. It’s presented in a concise, informative and interactive format. If you want to plug into LA and industry consciousness and learn the etiquette and mindset this is a great place to do it. We’re regularly in communication with buyers, so we have a good grasp of where the opportunities are now. As this is an educational resource we’re here to help facilitate success and lead our participants to finding the right ideas, resources and representatives. Once you’ve been through this program you’ll have a whole new perspective on this business and how to make things happen. Next session February 15 – March 16. Register at: http://bit.ly/scriptcareer – Use discount code: career 50 for $50 off.

By implementing one or more of these 7 strategies, you’ll be on your way to taking your screenwriting career and Hollywood dream, to the next level.
–
Philippa Burgess is an entertainment professional and partner at Creative Convergence Inc. Company client credits include projects for Disney Channel, Lifetime, Sci-Fi, Starz, MTV, Cartoon Network, CBS/Paramount, ABC, New Line Cinema, Fox, Sony and Paramount. She teaches the 8 session teleseminar course Screenwriting Career Intensive (www.screenwritingcareer.com) which includes 5 bonus calls with Agents & Managers.

Sign up for Creative Convergence newsletter at: http://bit.ly/b6MZcd

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Working Cross Platform? Join Us For Mini-Media Brand Workshop

Hi Everyone,

It's February. We are definitely
feeling the love. We've gotten so
many wonderful replies from the last
couple of blog posts.

We hope you're year is off to a
terrific start and you're keeping
your resolutions. If one of them
is to take your content farther,
faster - please consider joining
us for the upcoming mini-Media
Brand Workshop February 3th - 28th.

We always really appreciate the
enthusiasm of those who have come
through our programs.

"That one class has given me the
roadmap to our next 16 months and has
given me extreme confidence in our vision,
something that entrepreneurs sometimes
can struggle with."
- Thomas Matt, GRT Fitness

"After the story about the search for my
sister in People Magazine...I've been
working with a production team for an
original tv movie for Lifetime Movie Network.
The movie is in post production now and is
scheduled to air this spring!
'Bringing Ashley Home' will air sometime
in March or April!
Libba Phillips - OutpostforHope.com

“When I decided to produce my own web series,
I brought the project into Philippa’s mentorship
workshop. Thanks to Philippa, I'm in the wonderful
position of having producers and distributors
seeking me for possible collaborations--and
the series has yet to launch!
Alexis Niki - Creator/Writer Producer

--

If you've ever wondered about
my Media Brand Workshop - I am
starting a mini-workshop that
will just be in the month of
February. It's a great taste
of what that whole program
includes for $150.
Register at:
http://bit.ly/mini-workshop

This is coaching and
entertainment & media strategy
for content creators working
cross-platform. It is geared
to give you feedback, streamline
your efforts, and facilitate
networking. This experience
also brings you together with
other like-minded content creators.

Mini-Media Brand Workshop includes
2 Lecture/Discussions on Mondays
at 5:30PM PT - 2/7 & 2/28,
2 Office Hours at 4PM PT on
2/3 & 2/10, material review
(this includes websites, blogs,
podcasts, press kits, marketing
materials, scripts or manuscripts)
and up to 1 hr of private consults
(2-30 minute sessions or in person
meeting in LA). If you can't
make the live calls there is
also PDFs, MP3s and an online
group.

The program is about how to
build a media brand across platforms.
It's designed with writers, creators,
artists and entrepreneurs in mind.
We cover strategies for new media,
traditional media, publishing, TV
& feature film.

You'll also get our 5 agent/manager
bonus calls that will be coming
up this spring. Our most
recent call was with Hollywood
literary manager, Andrew Kersey
of Kersey Management.

You can read all about what's
involved with the full course
that we just ran this past
Fall and will run again later
this year at:
http://www.yourmediabrand.com.

Register at:
http://bit.ly/mini-workshop

This is the month that I begin
my classes again, so you've
been hearing quite a bit about
that. In addition to the clients
and projects that we're already
deeply invested in, this is a great
way to get to know new people and
help facilitate their success.

Here's more of what some of our
alumni have had to say about
the program and their results:
--

Hi Philippa

It's great to see a note from you
in my in box - I hope you are doing well!
I wanted to share a success since our
last connection....after the story about
the search for my sister in People Magazine
in 2008 - I've been working with a production
team for an original tv movie for Lifetime
Movie Network. The movie is in post production
now and is scheduled to air this spring!
'Bringing Ashley Home' will air sometime in
March or April! I'm quite excited as this
movie also profiles the nonprofit cause of
Outpost for Hope - the agency that I started
in the late 90's. I am so hopeful that by
sharing my story in such a public way will
help me to help others - if just one life
can be saved as a result of it - then I
have achieved my goal.

I wanted to say thank you for helping me
re-think of ways to brand my story - the
information you provided in your class was
so helpful. That knowledge combined with
really good clear intentions certainly made
way for profound changes in my life!

Many blessings,
Libba Phillips

--

I would love to express my sincere appreciation
and extend my heartfelt recommendation to
Philippa Burgess, and her company, Creative
Convergence.

As an entrepreneur I had the extreme pleasure
of attending Phillipa's course on branding and
marketing. That one class has given me the roadmap
to our next 16 months and has given me extreme
confidence in our vision, something that
entrepreneurs sometimes can struggle with.
I needed focus and direction and Phillipa gave
that to me, and we are following through with
her suggestions and it is working beautifully.

I will be attending another class in the near
future to continue her mentorship, and I feel
honored to be one of her protégé’s.
Her website is-
http://www.creativecvg.com/
You will not be sorry if you enroll in one
of her courses,

Thank you Phillipa, you're the greatest.

Thomas F Matt
CEO/Founder GRT Fitness and Wellness
www.grtfitness.com
email-tom@grtfitness.com”

--

“When I decided to produce my own web series,
I brought the project into Philippa’s mentorship
workshop. Thanks to Philippa, I'm in the wonderful
position of having producers and distributors
seeking me for possible collaborations--and the
series has yet to launch! While so many talk
about “thinking outside the box,” Philippa
actually does it. She sees connections and
possibilities where others raise their hands
in despair, and she’s not afraid to reach
across branches of the industry to create
fruitful and mutually-satisfying opportunities.
I’m inspired by her generosity, her intelligence,
her energy, and how she never shies away from a
learning curve. If you have the opportunity
to include Philippa on your team, grab it!”
Alexis Niki - Creator/Writer/Producer
The webseries: http://www.bitchywitchythefilm.com
The ebook:
Circles Joined to Circles: Real Stories by Real
Women on Mothers, Daughters & Sisters
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/33655
My site: http://www.TheThirdDraft.com
Twitter: AlexisNiki

--

Hope you will consider joining us
or recommend this to any of your
friends who are developing content
and working across platforms who
need some insight or inspiration
to thriving in the new entertainment
& media space.

To your success,

Philippa

--

http://bit.ly/mini-workshop
http://www.yourmediabrand.com
http://www.screenwritingcareer.com

Philippa Burgess' Industry Notes:

Monday, February 28, 2011

SFWC 2011 Round Up & Workshop Info

SFWC 2011 Round Up & Workshop Info

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

SF Writers Conference 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Updates & Announcements from Creative Convergence Inc.

Are You Ready to Be a Hollywood Insider? 7 Strategies to Get Your Scripts Produced

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Working Cross Platform? Join Us For Mini-Media Brand Workshop

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