Introducing Social Publishing Platform AtContent

Dear Friends of Creative Convergence Inc.,

We hope that everybody is well and that you've had a great
summer. 

We're writing to let you know about one of our technology
clients that may be of interest to you as an author, blogger
and/or social media participant.

Our client, AtContent, is a new publishing and social
marketing platform that empowers various types of content
creators and owners, such as authors, publishers, journalists,
media companies, bloggers, academics and students, to
crowdsource their distribution and share the revenue.

Digital content that is placed in AtContent's digital library 
can be shared and sold on websites, blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn,
Twitter and other media. Distributors, fans and followers who
share and sell the content by embedding AtContent digital
publications can then receive a commission from the content 
owner. In addition, content owners can obtain access to
statistics and analytics about their content as well as 
include or delete comments that they would like to share.

In order to get started:
1) Go to: http://atcontent.com
2) Create a free account with the option for easy Log In
with Facebook. 
3) As an author and/or writer, upload your ebook, articles or
any digital files and fill out author profile then let your
community know your title is on AtContent.
4) As an author or blogger you choose the commission rate for
your title for affiliates and then AtContent receives a set
commission on each sale generated through its site and related
links.
5) As an AtContent user purchase your ebooks and articles and
get customized links for any of the titles you want to share
and instantly become an affiliate.

For more information find AtContent on Facebook at 
www.facebook.com/atcontent and on Twitter at
@at_content.  

In addition, we would like to invite you to watch AtContent
author and YouTube comedy talent, Mike Falzone in his 
video about his new self-published book and how he is using
AtContent to help promote it.  To date he's generated a
notable amount of sales by getting his existing fans to share
and sell his book using this platform.  

Mike Falzone - Clip (0:30)
http://youtu.be/I1bXr0WtYRM 
Mike Falzone - Full Version (1:30) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a73-fwU_cQ&feature=youtu.be


Some of the titles you can find to enjoy and share in
a portion of sale proceeds you help generate through your
online networks include: 

"Never Stop Shutting Up" by Mike Falzone (Humor)
https://www.atcontent.com/Profile/mikefalzone 

"Field Guide to Chicks of the United States" by Joe Bovino
(Humor)
https://www.atcontent.com/Profile/josephbovino

"Overcome Writers Block: 10 Writing Sparks to Ignite Your
Creativity" by Beth Barany (Writing)
https://www.atcontent.com/Profile/bethbarany

"Twilight of the Immortal" by Marilyn Jaye Lewis
(Literary Fiction)
https://www.atcontent.com/Profile/marilynjayelewis/

"Beamish Boy (I Am Not My Story): A Memoir of Recovery &
Awakening"by Albert Flynn DeSilver (Memoir)
https://www.atcontent.com/Profile/asisowl/

"Dragon Cloud" Denice Hughes Lewis (Children's Fiction)
https://www.atcontent.com/Publication/87919795474949332.ebook/

"Witchin'" by Amy Manuwal (YA/Paranormal Romance)
http://www.atcontent.com/Publication/879271825870053jy.ebook/

"Secret of Dead Man's Mine" by Rod Johnson (YA Fiction/Mystery)
https://www.atcontent.com/Publication/879274997697999XD.ebook/

We'd love for you to explore AtContent (http://atcontent.com)
and see how it can be a fit for you.

Thank you so much for your time and attention.  We look forward
to your participation and feedback!

All the best,

The Creative Convergence Team

The Week: Power of Signature Story & Making Branded Entertainment "Easy to Assemble"

Hi Everyone,

-
Hope you’ve had a great weekend and enjoyed the Emmys!  We’re excited to get into this Fall season.  Our business is now very much focused on content strategy and monetization across multiple media platforms.  Although most of our new clients are corporate and non-profits, we always enjoy finding ways to connect, empower and inspire individual artists and content creators in this ever evolving marketplace.

-
If you are interested in building a media brand or learning about making branded entertainment content “Easy to Assemble” we hope you’ll join us this week.

-
Power of Signature Story
Media Brand Workshop – Lecture Series
Monday, September 19th
5:30PM PT
(7:30PM CT / 8:30PM ET)
Dial In: 712-432-3100
Bridge: 801264

-
Find and get the most benefit from your Signature Story. We’ll discuss what it takes to discover yours and then how to use it to create content, buzz, impact and exposure across multiple media platforms.  You’ll get tips and insights to getting the most out of a Brand Identity, Writing Your Bio/Online Profile, Engaging in a Feedback Loop and Finding & Engaging Your Audience. I’ll be expanding the line of conversation about marketing your content with my other sessions.

These teleseminar lectures will continue throughout Fall 2011.
Monday, October 17 – Entertainment & Media Strategy
Monday, October 24 – Building a Media Brand & Traditional Media
Monday, November 7 – Pitching Traditional Media
Monday, November 14 – Tips to Get More Followers, Friends & Fans
Monday, December 5 – Five Paths to Promotion
Monday, December 12 – Engaging Promotional Partners

-
If you are interested in content review, private consults and being an active member in our community of content creators you can learn more and sign up for Media Brand Workshop’s Fall Quarter at:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/register-now-year-end-quarter-session-sept-19-dec-20/

-
Now in its fourth year, Media Brand Workshop participants & alumni have gone on to:  Gain Representation, Create Webseries & Apps, Sell TV Movies, Produce Films & Shorts, Publish Books & Ebooks, Secure Local & National Publicity, Enhance Public Profile, Garner Attention of Studios & Networks, Win Awards & Monetize Content, Write & Create More!

–
–
Making Branded Entertainment Content
“Easy to Assemble” with Producer
Dominik Rausch of United Motion Entertainment (UME)
Media Brand Workshop – Guest Interview
Thursday, September 22nd
5:30PM PT
(7:30PM CT / 8:30PM ET)
Dial In: 712-432-3100
Bridge: 801264
If you haven’t seen “Easy to Assemble” you can watch it at:
http://www.easytoassemble.tv 

This webseries for IKEA follows Illeana Douglas as she quits her Hollywood career and goes to work at IKEA Burbank in an attempt at a ‘normal life.’ However your past is often more difficult to leave behind than you think. Especially when Hollywood craziness with its gossip columnists, stalkers and celebrity friends follows you. Can Illeana assimilate in “civilian” life and prove that “art is where you make it?”

-
Co-stars an impressive cast of TV and film pros including Justine Bateman, Tom Arnold, Ed Begley Jr., Kevin Pollak, Cheri Oteri, Ricki Lake, Tim Meadows, Daryl Sabara and Eric Lange.
–
You can find the Mp3s from our Media Brand Workshop guest interview series at:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/guest-interviews/
We invite you to connect with us in our LinkedIn Group: Media Brand Workshop
Follow us on Twitter @yourmediabrand @creativecvg
If you are on Twitter, I just wrote a Twitter tip for Doubling Your Twitter Following Overnight at:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/twitter-tip-from-philippa-to-double-your-followers-overnight/

Use password: mbw2011
To your success,
Philippa

Start of Summer

Hi Everyone,

We hope your summer is off to
a great start!

In this blog post:

* Media Brand Workshop
* Forward Thinking Museum's Artist Level Photography Contest
* Script-a-thon
* Global eBook Awards
* Recent & Upcoming Travels / Events

--

* Media Brand Workshop

We call this a happy experiment and
half way through the year we've seen
an amazing amount of progress and
success with our participants & alum.

Our next session starts July 11th
You can join us for 1 month ($150),
3 months ($350) or 6 months ($600)

In this program I read, review, consult,
teach and facilitate a dynamic community
of content creators working across
media platforms (film, tv, publishing,
gaming, traditional media, new media
& social media).  It's all done with
teleseminars, MP3, handouts, on line
community & private phone consults.

Learn more at:
http://www.mediabrandworkshop.com 

We've also had some terrific interviews recently
as part of our Media Brand Workshop Guest
Interview Series.
You can check out the MP3s at:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/guest-interviews/

Among them were:
Peter Fahrani & Wayne Maugans of the Forward Thinking Museum
Anne Norda, Creator of Script-a-thon
Dan Poynter, Book Futurist

Here's more information on the great
opportunities for photographers,
screenwriters and eBook authors
that they are offering:

* Script-a-thon
Starts July 1
Script-a-thon is a month long writing
or rewriting marathon and contest.
http://www.thescriptathon.com 
On Twitter @scriptathon

--

* Global eBook Awards
Deadline June 30
Submit your eBook for consideration
in any one of multiple catergories.
This is a great way to get exposure,
marketing tips, and support.
http://www.awardsforebooks.com  

--

* Forward Thinking Museum's
Artist Level (18 and over) Photography Contest
Deadline June 30  
http://www.forwardthinkingmuseum.com/contest_photo_artist.php

If you think your photos could inspire
social change or if you have
photographer friends who do, we invite
you to take a closer look.
No cost to enter.
3 photos required.
Great prizes & potential exposure.
-
There is also an upcoming Student Level
(13 to 18 years old) Photography Contest
Deadline October 31
http://www.forwardthinkingmuseum.com/contest_photo_student.php
www.forwardthinkingmuseum.com

-

* Recent & Upcoming Travels / Events

In the past month we've gone to
Book Expo, Produced By Conference,
Script Pipeline's Secret Door Pitchfest,
Great American Pitchfest, Steve Kaplan's
Comedy Intensive, NATPE's PitchCon,
SF Peace & Hope Literary Magazine Event,
and the Santa Barbara Writers Conference.

We've had a great time meeting
with friends, colleagues, clients
and Media Brand Workshop participants
& alumni.

Our upcoming travels include
trips to San Diego, Orange
County, SF Bay Area, DC/Philly
& New York City.  There is
also early discussions about
travels to the UK & Europe
this Fall.  As always, as
we can work it out, we
like to be in touch and meet
up along the way.

--

You can find us on LinkedIn in the
Group - Media Brand Workshop
On Facebook at Creative Convergence
and now part of BranchOut
On Twitter
@creativecvg
@yourmediabrand

--

To your success,

Philippa





--

Even More Fun Stuff In June

Hi Everyone, 

Hope you are well.  It's been a busy and exciting past few weeks.  

I am looking forward to keeping the conversation going in June for our Media Brand Workshop. 

We've got lots of great projects and marketing initiatives underway.  I really appreciate everyone for being so great in developing their projects and connecting and supporting each other.  

In June we'll be putting together a mastermind group for Webseries and another for eBook & Online Book Marketing. 

We are also going to set up Office Hours dedicated to Blogging and another on Amazon/Createspace/Kindle

Tonight's guest is Self-Publishing Guru & Book Futurist, Dan Poynter 

Next Thursday, June 16 our guest is Founder of Script-a-Thon, Anne Norda

Our upcoming calls regular calls are Monday June 13, Monday June 20 & Monday, June 27 

Also look out for the Google Doc to schedule your private consults.  There is a lot going on behind the scenes too!  

I'll also be getting back to those in SF with some more details shortly.  

As a registered participant, if you need to send me material to review (including websites, blogs, articles, audio, video, scripts, manuscripts) please email them to me at: course@creativecvg.com 

Here is the Handout / MP3 from our Welcome/Overview Call - Monday, June 6

http://s3.amazonaws.com/MediaBrandWorkshop/Media+Brand+Workshop-6-6-11.pdf

http://s3.amazonaws.com/MediaBrandWorkshop/MediaBrandWorkshop6-6-11.mp3

Plus check out our blog at www.mediabrandworkshop.com 

Join us in LinkedIn Group "Media Brand Workshop" 

To your success, 

Philippa 

If you haven't yet registered or need to renew your registration, those links can be found below.  

1 Month – (June 2011)

http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=43A70E6C-20D0-4711-8704-CE59024A3198&pid=f0ae52f1ea89439192201e7ac7198860

3 Months – (June – Aug 2011)

http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=43A70E6C-20D0-4711-8704-CE59024A3198&pid=fbc894000250498fafd30f61a4ada409

6 Months – (June – November plus bonus month through end of 2011)

http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/SecureCart/SecureCart.aspx?mid=43A70E6C-20D0-4711-8704-CE59024A3198&pid=bc6b2f63e59847cbbef778f3c086295f

June's Events, Workshop & Resources

Hi Everyone,

Happy Monday!  I hope June is off to a great start for you!

It's been a busy few weeks with Book Expo America in NYC and then back to LA for the Produced By Conference, Pipeline's Secret Door Pitchfest, Great American Pitchfest & checking in at Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive.

Up next is NATPE's Pitchcon (formerly LATVFest), June 9 & 10 followed by two weeks in the San Francisco Bay Area & then the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, June 24.

I'll be blogging about all of these events in the coming weeks at:
www.creativecvg.blogspot.com & www.mediabrandworkshop.com 

I am excited to announce that we'll be starting our June Media Brand Workshop this week.

Tonight, June 6 is our
Welcome/Overview/NYC & LA Event Round Up
Download Handout at:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/MediaBrandWorkshop/Media+Brand+Workshop-6-6-11.pdf

Tomorrow, June 7 is our
Guest Interview with Self-Publishing
Guru & Book Futurist, Dan Poynter
of ParaPublishing
More information can be found on our blog at:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/guest-interview-67-all-about-ebooks-self-publishing-promotion-with-dan-poynter/

Calls are at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET
Dial In:
712-432-3100
Bridge: 801264

You can also find all of the MP3s of our Media Brand Workshop
Guest Interviews at: http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/guest-interviews/

There is no cost for these calls.

When you sign up for the workshop we look at: 1) What You've Got
2) What You Want 3) Market Realities & Opportunities 4) Concrete Next Steps

1 Month is $150

We've been having a lot of great success stories coming from Media Brand Workshop
participants & alumni these past few weeks.

They include:

Congrats to Marilyn Jaye Lewis (Freak Parade) & Charlene Costanzo (The Thirteenth Gift) on
Winning IPPY Awards from the Independent Book Publisher's Association.

Congrats to Kim Kaplan on publishing her eBook, "A Parent's Guide to Early Autism
Intervention" available at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/59362

Congrats to Niya C. Sisk on publishing her books, "Bragging, Bantering & Brawling"
and "Vignettes of Provence Paintings and Stories" both available on Lulu.com at:
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/bragging-bantering-bawling/15835288?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2 and
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/vignettes-of-provence-paintings-and-stories/15818481?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

Congrats to Garden Urthark on publishing his eBook "Other World" available at:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/51153

Congrats to Alexis Niki on her Webseries "My Bitchy Witchy Paris Vacation" being
invited to the Marseilles Web Fest in October 2011.  She's also in competition
for the International Movie Trailer Festival www.internationalmovietrailerfestival.com
Search Title, Watch Trailer & Vote!

Congrats to Thomas Matt on his new radio show "Boomers Rock" on
Fitnesss Radio, www.ftns.co

We've also got lots of other media, apps, webseries, book, film & TV projects in
the works.

If you are interested in joining us this month or in the future, you can learn more at:
www.mediabrandworkshop.com 

--

In other news, some resources that I recommend:

Smashwords
www.smashwords.com 

San Francisco Writers University
www.sfwritersu.com

ScriptPipeline
www.scriptpipeline.com 

The Script-a-thon
www.thescriptathon.com 

ScriptShark
www.scriptshark.com 

NATPE
www.natpe.org

NATPE's PitchConference
www.pitchcon.com

Santa Barbara Writers Conference
www.sbwriters.com 

CreateSpace
www.createspace.com 

--

To your success,

Philippa

--

Find Us:
LinkedIn at "Media Brand Workshop"
Facebook at "Creative Convergence"
Twitter @yourmediabrand @creativecvg
Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/b6MZcd

NYC, BEA, Comedy, Making Indie Movies, eBooks, Promotion & More

Hi Everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend!

I just arrived in NYC on Saturday night.  For those who don't know us yet, both myselfand my colleague Brad Kushner were originally from the NYC area before moving to Los Angeles, so it's nice to be home.     I'm here this week for Book Expo America (BEA).  I am also catching up with family, and quite a few friends and colleagues while I'm in town.  I'll send a BEA conference round-up at the end of the week.

You can learn more about what's happening at www.bookexpoamerica.com.
Follow on Twitter @bookexpoamerica or with hash tags #BEA

In this post, I've got a couple of items to share:

UPCOMING MEDIA BRAND WORKSHOP GUEST INTERVIEWS
(There is no cost to attend these teleseminars or listen to Mp3s)

Comedy Guru, Steve Kaplan on Hidden Tools of Comedy
Tues 5/24 at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET
Register at: www.kaplancomedy.com/call.html

Screenwriters Making Indie Movies with Writer, Kim Kaplan
Weds 5/25 at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET
Dial In: 712-432-3100
Bridge: 801264
Details in Blog Post at: www.mediabrandworkshop.com

All About Ebooks, Self-Publishing & Promotion with Dan Poynter, Book Futurist
Tues 6/7 at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET
Details in Blog Post at: www.mediabrandworkshop.com

--

You can now find 12 of our Media Brand Guest Interviews from the past year at: http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/guest-interviews/

Our recent calls (now Mp3s):

Transmedia (& Graphic Novels) with Joe LeFavi, Quixotic Transmedia

All About Webseries with Michael Ajakwe Jr., Emmy-Winning Writer and Founder of Los Angeles Web Series Festival

Life Story to Lifetime Movie with Libba Phillips "Bringing Ashley Home" (Media Brand Workshop alum)

Kickstarter & Crowdfunding with Lawrence Stern, Writer/Producer of "Corrupted"

--

We'll also be launching our June Media Brand Workshop Session soon.
Our preview/welcome call is Monday 6/6 at 5:30PM PT.

Alumni Success Stories:

*Gain Representation
*Create Webseries & Apps
*Sell TV Movies
*Produce Films & Shorts
*Publish Books & Ebooks
*Local & National Publicity
*Enhance Public Profile
*Garner Attention of Studios & Networks
*Win Awards
*Monetize Content 

1 Month Program is $150.  The program is ongoing and we're welcoming new participants each month for a 1 month stand-alone or option of continuing for 3 or 6 months.

1 month program includes:
Material Review (website, blogs, articles, books, audio, video, scripts & manuscripts), Private Consults (approx 1 hr), Teleseminar Lectures & Discussions, Mp3s, Materials, Guest Interviews & Online Community

We're about informing, inspiring & challenging content creators to work successfully in:
-Film
-TV
-Traditional Publishing
-Self-Publishing
-Traditional Media
-New Media
-Social Media

We cover:
-Brand Identity
-Entrepreneurship
-Storytelling
-Tech/Technology
-PR/Communications

Learn more at: http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com
Visit our blog at: www.mediabrandworkshop.com

Find us in LinkedIn Group:
Media Brand Workshop
On Twitter @yourmediabrand

--

This week's recommendations:

COMEDY WRITING & PERFORMANCE
Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive
In Los Angeles, June 4-5
Register at:
www.kaplancomedy.com

WRITING, PRODUCING & SELLING TV
NATPE's PitchCon
in Los Angeles, June 9-10
www.pitchcon.org

FILM & TV PRODUCING
Producers Guild of America
Produced by Conference
In Los Angeles, June 2-5
www.producedbyconference.com

PITCHING FILM / CABLE MOVIE
Great American Pitchfest
In Los Angeles, June 4-5
www.pitchfest.com

WRITING CLASS
Write Brain Workshops
in Los Angeles led by Anne Norda
www.WriteBrainWorkshop.com

EBOOK AWARD
Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards
www.awardsforebooks.com

PUBLIC RELATIONS/MEDIA COACH
Susan Harrow
www.prsecrets.com

WRITERS CONFERENCES
San Francisco Writers Conference
February 2012
www.sfwriters.org

WRITERS CONFERENCES
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
June 18-23
http://www.sbwriters.com/conference/

WRITER RESOURCES
San Francisco Writers University
Lots of great podcasts for free or just $10 each
www.sdwritersu.com

TWITTER APPS
I just discovered and really like this App.
Clean up your account & remove inactive following/followers
www.twerpscan.com

--

To your success,

Philippa

--

www.creativecvg.com
www.creativecvg.wordpress.com
www.mediabrandworkshop.com
@creativecvg
@yourmediabrand

--

May's Media Brand Workshop, Mp3s & Upcoming Events

Hi Everyone,

It's time for May flowers.
We also hope that the creative
seeds you've been planting
are starting to bloom.

In this email:
* Invite to join us for tonight's
5/2 Media Brand Workshop call
at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET.
* Meet us at upcoming events
including Book Expo, NATPE's PitchCon
& SBWC
* Mp3 files of recent Media Brand
Workshop guest interviews on
Life Rights, Crowdfunding
& Transmedia.
* Success stories from the
Media Brand Workshop.
* Opportunities & resources
we like for content creators

--

* Invite to join us for tonight's
5/2 Media Brand Workshop call
at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET.

We're three months into the happy
experiment that is the 2011
Media Brand Workshop!

This is a program that is all about
developing & marketing
content across media platforms.  

Dial In: 712-432-3100
Bridge: 801264

Here is the handout for our 5/2 call:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/MediaBrandWorkshop/Media+Brand+Workshop-5-2-11.pdf

Learn more about what we're doing in
the workshop at our blog:
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com
and in our LinkedIn Group
"Media Brand Workshop"

--

* Meet us at upcoming events
including Book Expo, NATPE's PitchCon
& SBWC

We'll be participating at the
following events.  Please let
us know if you are going to
be there.

Book Expo America (BEA) in NYC
May 23 - 26
www.bookexpoamerica.com

Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive
June 4 - 5
www.kaplancomedy.com
$50 discount - reference
Creative Convergence &
Paypal skcomedy@aol.com
regularly $365, your price $315

NATPE's PitchCon in Los Angeles
(formerly LATVFest)
June 9 - 10
www.natpe.org
Use promo code: PCSELLTV for $70 off
Regularly $345 - your price $275

Santa Barbara Writers Conference (SBWC)
June 18 - 23
I'll be speaking on the New Media panel
www.sbwriters.com

--

* Mp3 files of recent Media Brand
Workshop guest interviews on
Life Rights, Crowdfunding
& Transmedia.

Find the MP3 Files at our
Media Brand Workshop blog.

Transmedia with Joe LeFavi of
Quixotic Transmedia.  If you are
interested in graphic novels this
is jam packed with great insights.
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/guest-interview-joe-lefavi-at-quixotic-transmedia/

Life Story to Lifetime Television
Movie with Libba Phillips
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/guest-interview-life-story-to-lifetime-movie-libba-phillips/

Kickstarter & Crowdfunding with
Lawrence Stern
http://mediabrandworkshop.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/guest-interview-kickstarter-com-crowdfunding-lawrence-stern/

--

* Just a few of our success stories
from the Media Brand Workshop we're
excited to share:

* Alexis Niki won multiple awards at the LAWebFest
and will be heading to the Marseilles Web Fest
this October with her web series, My Bitchy
Witchy Paris Vacation
(www.bitchywitchythefilm.com)

* Thomas Matt published his ebook "Great Fitness"
(http://www.facebook.com/l/0602b/bit.ly/ieV0Tk),
appeared on the cover of Healthy & Fit Magazine
(http://www.healthyandfitmagazine.com/)
and is now hosting his own radio show on Fitness Radio
at http://ftns.co

* Niya Sisk published her e-book
"Bragging Bantering Brawling Stories"
available at: http://linkd.in/msm8hg

* Libba Phillips' life story aired on
Lifetime Movie Network
http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/bringing-ashley-home

* Lee Geiger secured literary representation
for his manuscript "Pearls of Asia"

* Garden Urthark published his e-book
Other World available at:
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/GardenUrthark

* Charlene Costanza published her book
"The Thirteenth Gift" with Featherfew
available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Thirteenth-Gift-Charlene-Costanzo/dp/1891836137


* Here are a few more opportunities
& resources for content creators
we like:

Autocrit - Editing Wizard
www.autocrit.com

Smashwords - www.smashwords.com

Lulu's Title Scorer
Want to know if you've got a title
that could be a best-seller?
Check out:
http://www.lulu.com/titlescorer/index.php

Script-a-thon
www.thescriptathon.com

Susan Harrow's PR Secrets
www.prsecrets.com

Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive
www.kaplancomedy.com

Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards
http://awardsforebooks.com/

ScriptShark Blog & Coverage Services
www.scriptshark.com

--

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter
Creative Convergence
pb@creativecvg.com
"Media Brand Workshop"
@yourmediabrand
@creativecvg

--

To your success,

Philippa

LAWebFest2011 – A Celebration of Creators, Community & Can Do Attitudes

LAWebFest2011 – A Celebration of
Creators, Community & Can Do Attitudes

“LAWEBFEST sprung from my belief that
shows being made for the web have
entertainment and monetary value
and should be celebrated, studied
and shared. I come from the world
of traditional tv, theater and film.
I still work in those mediums. But
no narrative medium excites me more
today than the entertainment revolution
unfolding before my very eyes on the
Internet.” Michael Ajakwe Jr., a
veteran Emmy-winning tv producer
and NAACP Award-winning playwright
produced the festival with his
dedicated team. 

The event generated a lot of enthusiasm
for those creating content in this
relatively new medium.  The festival
brought together a community of people
who are venturing into new avenues
for creative expression on the web,
expanding their career opportunities,
and in some cases generating revenues
or finding financial support directly
from their audiences or in the form
of corporate sponsors.  These creators
weren't waiting to be discovered, they'd
already had direct and instant feedback
from their audiences online.  What they
appreciated, however, was the opportunity
to know that they were among others who
were using this new medium and get the
support and acknowledgment from the
larger entertainment & media communities. 

“The Web is the Way” is the motto for
The Los Angeles Web Series Festival. 
It is the industry (and world's) first
all-web series festival honoring serialized
shows created specifically for the internet. 
Now in its second year, the 3-day festival
ran March 25-27 at Stage 52.  More than 50
web series were accepted out of over 200
submissions.  The entries hailed from
19 different states and 8 foreign countries. 

Along with the screenings, a full schedule
of panel sessions included: Using a Web
Series to Jump Start Your Acting, Writing,
or Producing Career; The Web Series as a
Legitimate Entertainment Genre; Diversity
on the Web: How Internet Shows Are Doing
What TV, Film, & Theater Have Never
Succeeded in Doing;  Adaptation: Your
Web Series As Valuable Source Material
For Other Media; and Interactive Narrative
Storytelling: New Ways of Telling Old
Stories.  More information can be found
at: www.lawebfest.com and
www.facebook.com/lawebfest. 

Speakers included web series creators,
actors and crew, as well as professionals
from SAG New Media, WGA West, Epic Level
Entertainment, Black Women's Entertainment,
Mingle Media TV, Web Series Network and
Total Recall Captioning. Honorees at the
event were trailblazers on the web and in
support of the web series with the
Groundbreaker Award to Hayden Black,
Social Media Award to Kevin Ross; Maverick
Award to Scott Rice, and Envisioneer Awards
to Jean Michel Albert & the City of Marseille,
France. 

The 2011 LAWebFest Awards Ceremony was hosted
& MC'd by Michael Ajakwe Jr. and Trisha Mann
with a special musical performance by Scott
Allen & 3rd Scenario at Locals Sports Bar &
Grill.  Winners included Outstanding Achievement
in Comedy, Sketch Comedy, Reality, 
Horror/Suspense/Fantasy, Dramedy, Drama,
Travel/Talk/Lifestyle, Interactive
Storytelling, Mockumentary and in
Animation/Puppetry.  The awards were
handed out were well past midnight to
a packed house.  At the end of the night,
Jean Michael Albert and Stephane Rizzo
from the Marseille Web Fest announced nine
winning shows invited to screen in Marseille,
October 14-16 along with an all expense paid
trip for the show creators. 

“The fact is that this trend of making
shows for and by the people has jumped
out of LA and New York and infected other
parts of the country like Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, Chicago, Arizona; and has
even mutated out of the United States and
is running the streets of far-off lands
like Australia, New Zealand, the U.K.,
India, Italy, and France says it all. 
Hell, the French are so into the web series
this October the city of Marseille will host
Europe's first web series festival. 
The experiment is not only a success,
it's a pandemic (the good kind).”
added Festival Founder/Creator Michael Ajakwe Jr. 

Whether you want to discover new entertainment,
or be inspired to pick up a camera and a crew
and tell your own story, this is an exciting
new and legitimate art form.  It is fueled
by artists who are taking control of their
own destiny and audiences who are embracing
content that is narrow cast to their interests
and humor.  This new art intimately and often
instantaneously, connects artists and audiences,
proving that for many, now and in the future,
“the web is the way”. 

Just some of the web series that screened
at LAWebFest2011 that you can check out
online:

Script Cops (comedy)
http://www.vimeo.com/7015951

Goodnight Burbank (comedy)
www.goodnightburbank.com

Who... (comedy)
www.ajakwetv.com

My Bitchy Witchy Paris Vacation (dramedy)
www.bitchywitchythefilm.com

Often Awesome: The Series (reality/indie)
www.oftenawesome.com

Slanted (comedy)
www.youtube.com/theslantedshow

Shadow44 (drama)
www.shadow44.com

Green T with Tamara (talk show & lifestyle)
www.greentwithtamara.tv

Flyguys Present the F Word (mockumentary)
www.issarae.com/thefword

Baby Daddy Memoirs
www.valdeanent.com

Vegan 101 (comedy)
www.youtube.com/joannemrose1
Mind's Eye: The Fantasy Web Series (fantasy)
www.mindseyeseries.com
Growing Up Guide Pup (reality/indie)
www.youtube.com/user/GuideDogManiac

Jesus is My Co-Pilot (comedy)
www.aaroncelious.com/Dwayne-Perkins.html

For A Green Card (comedy)
www.foragreencard.blip.tv

The Celibate Nympho Chronicles (comedy)
www.celibatenymphochronicles.com

The PuNanny Diaries (comedy) 
www.punannydiaries.com

Ruby Skye PI (narrative comedy)
www.rubyskyepi.com

POP: Puppets of Porn (puppetry)
www.puppetsofporn.com

8:13 (horror)
www.813series.com

The Big Dick Mike Show (comedy)
www.thebigdickmikeshow.com

About Abby (drama)
www.aboutabby.tv

Suck and Moan (dramedy)
www.suckandmoan.com

Apt. 1B (suspense)
www.disgracedtv.com

The Jim (comedy)
www.thejim.tv

Party Girl Plus One (comedy)
www.partygirlplusone.com

Breaking Point (drama)
www.facebook.com/pages/BreakingPoint/101068503294850

The Best Sketch Comedy Show (sketch)
www.juniorvarsitytv.com


                                                                    

Teleseminar Invite 3/21: Storytelling in Any Platform - Creating Fiction that Works in Any Medium

Hi Everyone,

Are You Interested in
Storytelling for Multiple
Media Platforms? 

Join Us for a Teleseminar

Monday, March 21st
5:30PM PT / 7:30 CT / 8:30PM ET

Sign up for this call at:
http://bit.ly/platform-call-csweekly
(You'll also get the Mp3 & PDF handout)

Are you thinking about developing your stories
for different media platforms and how you
can use new media to enhance your properties
and professional profile?  You should be!

Movies and TV shows are often based on
underlying material whether that is a play
(The King's Speech), book (Winter's Bone),
graphic novel (The Walking Dead), comic book
(Iron Man), life rights (127 Hours) or
social media (Sh*t My Dad Says).

If you want to see your stories on screen,
it'll help if they can be developed in
other mediums too.

Plus you can increase your success and
profile as a screenwriter or filmmaker with
blogs, articles, Apps, new media, webseries,
shorts, ebooks, book publishing, crowdfunding,
digital media, social media, public speaking
and more.

On the call I'll cover:

 - 4 Types of Content
 - What Platforms to Consider
 - What is a Media Brand?
 - Find Your Brand Promise
 - Trending: Expansion & Consolidation
 - Getting on the Inside Track
 - Ask vs. Pitch
 - The Way Forward
 - How Media Brand Workshop Can Help You

Sign up for this free call at:
http://bit.ly/platform-call-csweekly

I'l be hosting this call and for those
who don't already know my bio and our
company info: 

Philippa Burgess is a partner at
Creative Convergence Inc.  Creative Convergence
company and client credits include projects
for Disney Channel, Lifetime, Sci-Fi, Starz,
MTV, Cartoon Network, CBS/Paramount, ABC,
Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, Fox, Sony
and Paramount.  Philippa's credits include
Co-Producer on the film DUAL, Consultant
on 52 Fights produced for ABC/Touchstone
and Consulting Producer on the web series
MY BITCHY WITCHY PARIS VACATION.  Philippa
facilitates Media Brand Workshop where
participants expand their vision, content
creation and marketing initiatives across
new media, traditional media, self-publishing,
traditional publishing, television & film.

--

Plus join us in Media Brand Workshop!

Interested in Working Across Media Platforms?

Get a Better Understanding of Your Brand
& Cross-Platform Strategy

Mini-Media Brand Workshop
$150 for 1 Month Session

This workshop includes material review of
writer bio, websites, blogs, articles,
marketing materials, video, scripts & manuscripts. 
Participants meet on a teleseminar on Monday
evenings with access to MP3s, handouts and
supplemental materials plus online group and
private consults.

Media Brand Workshop Success stories!
Alumni Have Gone On To:

Secure Representation - Publish Books -
Gain National Publicity - Sell TV Movies -
Create Apps, Ebooks, Blogs - Produce and
Sell Digital Content - Secure Financing -
Enhance Public Profile - Increase Fan Base
- Find Promotional Partners - Garner
Attention of Studios & Networks

Don't miss this opportunity!

April Session

2 Live Teleseminar Lectures
Mondays, April 4 & 18

Materials Review
Writer Bio, Website, Blogs & Articles
Marketing Materials, Video, Scripts & Manuscripts

Private Consults
Approx. Total of 1 Hour of Consults
2 Schedule 30 Minute Sessions

Limited Enrollment.

Register Online at:
http://bit.ly/mini-workshop-april
$25 discount using promo code: CSNOW
before March 23rd. 

Plus if you are an alumni who is interest
in joining us for any or all of 2011,
we're doing a simple month-to-month.

Register at:
http://bit.ly/mini-workshop-april
Use discount code: CONTENT

We'll be covering these topics
and more throughout the year:

** Brand Identity
** Entrepreneurship
** Storytelling
** Tech / Technology
** PR & Communications
** Feature Film
** Television
** Publishing
** Traditional Media
** New Media
** Social Media
** Crowdfunding
** Reviews & Recommendations
** Fan Building
** Team Building
** Deal Making
** Other Specialized Topics

Plus special guest interviews
from across Hollywood, Publishing,
Gaming, PR & Technology

--
Look forward to connecting
with you soon!

To your success,

Philippa

--

Find us on Facebook: Creative Convergence
Connect on LinkedIn: pb@creativecvg.com
Follow us on Twitter: @Creativecvg
Read our blog at: www.creativecvg.wordpress.com
Join us on our membersite for content
creators: www.yoursignaturestory.com

--

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

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

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

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

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