The Best of New Media MP3 & Festival Wrap

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for your interest in The Best of New Media. 

On Wednesday, June 9th we had a great conversation with
Susan Johnston, Founder/Director of the New Media Film Festival. 

If you missed the call you can access the MP3 here: 
http://bit.ly/a1P8MD (updated complete file)

The New Media Film Festival was held this past weekend in
Los Angeles at the Downtown Independent. 

It featured new media content, filmmakers and
professionals representing mobile, mobisodes, webisodes,
web series, shorts, documentaries and features
shot in RED and 3D.  

I moderated a panel on Saturday of Experts and Filmmakers in
New Media focusing on the Who, What, When & Where.  The
panel featured Greg Boren from Panasonic 3D, Ted Schilowitz
of RED Digital Cinema, Debra Kaufman of MobilizedTV.com
and Chuck Haifley of Big Vision Studios. 

Susan Johnston and her team of Jurors and Advisors
reviewed hundreds of submissions to program an excellent
event that featured the best across these categories and
bring together players in the space to talk about what's
new and what's next.

I am including the names of all the films if you
are interested in learning more about them or
want to seek them out to watch in your own time: 

Feature Films and Documentaries: 
Rip! A Remix Manifesto, Herpes Boy, Orgasm, Inc.,
2012: Time for Change, Double Take and Memories of
Overdevelopment.

Online Shorts, Web & Mobile Content: 
Flying Kebab, The Dick & Jane Show, Bigs & Shorty,
The Ballad of Mary & Ernie, You Can't Do That on the Internet,
When Lynch Met Lucas, The Final Breaths of a Main Character,
Kenny Loggins Pitch Videos and Video Magnet Party,
Safety Geeks: Episode II, Awareness, The Rise and Superstitious. 

Offline Shorts:
The Modernist, Kids Might Fly, Beautifully Esther,
Charlie and the Rabbit, Fear Itself, The Box,
All the Bulbous Accidents, The Beast, Notes on the Other,
Goodbye Shanghai, Evidence is Everywhere,
What's That Sound? and New Media. 

Sponsors for the event included: 
Showbiz Shoftware, Kress Studios, Big Vision Studios,
ScriptCopier.com and TubeFilter. 

This call was the first of many of our Media Brand Workshop
Conversations...with Content Creators, Industry Professionals
and Thought Leaders across Film, TV, Publishing and Media.

We've got an exciting summer line up of guests that I'll be
announcing later this month along with details about the
opportunity to join us for the next session of our
Media Brand Workshop with lectures, office hours, private c
consults and more. 

To your success,

Philippa


On Twitter @yourmediabrand @scriptcareer @creativecvg
On Facebook - Philippa Burgess Course, Creative Convergence
& the Group Philippa Burgess' Your Media Brand Mentor

--

What's New, What's Next - New Media Film Festival

Hi Everyone,

I hope you've had a terrific weekend.

I wanted to share a couple of things...

- New Media Film Festival, June 8th - Meet the Filmmakers Free Event
- Free Conference Call and Q&A on Wednesday, June 9th at 5:30PM PT
with New Media Film Festival Founder/Director Susan Johnston
- New Media Film Festival, June 11th & 13th in Los Angeles - Comp
Tickets Available

I'd like to invite you to join me for a free conference call
this Wednesday, June 9th with Susan Johnston, Founder/Director
of the New Media Film Festival.  Susan is a long-time casting
director and a dynamic person who is passionate about great
stories, filmmakers and the use of technology to share stories
Register for this free conference call at:
http://bit.ly/bqSvrb

We'll be talking about what's new, what's next.
Learn what Susan Johnston and her team of judges from the
New Media Film Festival have identified as the
"Best of the Best" in mobile, mobisodes, webisodes,
web series, shorts, documentaries, and feature films
shot in 3D and RED.

If you are in Los Angeles, you are invited to the
Meet the Filmmakers free pre-event on Tuesday,
June 8th from 6:30 - 9pm at the ShowBiz Store &
Café in Brentwood at 500 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Please RSVP to info@newmediafilmfestival.com
mailto:info@newmediafilmfestival.com
as space is limited.

Then, join us this upcoming Friday, Saturday & Sunday at
the New Media Film Festival.

The New Media Film Festival, June 11 - 13th in Los Angeles,
offers the best in New Media with screenings, panels and
networking parties.  The event brings together filmmakers,
content creators and a who's who of professionals in the
new media industry with the latest in technology and creative
storytelling.  The festival is being held at the Downtown
Independent 251 S. Main Street, LA, CA 90012.

Screening Include:
3 World Premieres * 8 Los Angeles Premieres
* 1 North America Premiere * 2 Sundance Selections
* 2 Cannes Selections

Red carpet opening feature film RIP! A Remix Manifeso and closing
feature film Herpes Boy.  Plus Best of Mobile, Webisodes, Web Series,
Shorts, Documentaries and Feature Films shot in 3D & RED.

New Media Film Festival honors stories in all media that are innovative,
imaginative and inspirational.  Stories that can make you laugh, cry,
think & go beyond the ordinary: Stories worth telling. The New Media
Film Festival offers a platform to showcase innovative ideas and
technology through visual medium.

The 3-Day Festival includes:
RoofTop Networking Events - all weekend!
New Media Marketing Table
International Art Exhibit
3D Pajama Screening Party

New media is affecting both the art and business of film, television,
publishing and traditional media and offers insightful panels
featuring top industry leaders such as:

Doug Leighton - Panasonic 3D
Ted Schilowitz - RED Digital Cinema
Debra Kaufman - MobilizedTV.com
David Canning - DIT for Michael Mann
Philippa Burgess - Partner, Creative Convergence
Chuck Haifley - CEO of Big Vision Studios
Greg Reitman - Producer, FUEL, Sundance Audience winner
John Raatz - Founder Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment
Wendy Cohen - Participant Media, Manager, Community and Alliances/digital
Peter Goldwyn - President, Samuel Goldwyn Films
Kyle Kaczmarek - Echobridge, Head of Distribution
Jeff Dowd - Palisades Pictures, Executive Producer/Producers Rep

You can come down to enjoy the free events or buy single event passes,
a day pass or a full weekend pass.  You can see the entire schedule
at www.newmediafilmfestival.com.

Get your tickets now at www.newmediatickets.com
http://www.newmediatickets.com
Coupon Code T200 for $2.00 Off Single Event
Coupon Code T500 for $5.00 Off Day or Weekend Pass
Feel free share the love and spread the word.  You
can "Like" New Media Film Festival on Facebook and follow at
@newmediaff

To your success,

Philippa



Facebook - Creative Convergence & Philippa Burgess Course
Philippa Burgess' Media Brand Workshop
& Philippa Burgess' Screenwriting Career Intensive
LinkedIn - pb@creativecvg.com mailto:pb@creativecvg.com
Twitter - @creativecvg @scriptcareer @yourmediabrand
Membersite: www.yoursignaturestory.com
Workshop Info - www.yourmediabrandmentor.com
http://www.yourmediabrandmentor.com
Conversations - http://bit.ly/bqSvrb http://bit.ly/bqSvrb
Join the Creative Convergence Mailing List: 
http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/join.asp?merchantid=106574

Come Join Us for Summer Events

Hi Everyone,

...And there are a lot of them. 

Here are a few of the places that we'll be going in the coming weeks.  I also recommend
that if you can't make the live event you still take the opportunity to read the online conference
guide.  It'll give you great insights into the hot topics and players across film, television,
publishing and media.

Plus I'll be having a conference call on Wednesday, June 9th at 5:30PM PT--
with Susan Johnston, founder/director of the New Media Film Festival to answer
your questions about what's new and next in new media. 
Sign up at:
http://www.creativecvg.com/Home/Conversations.aspx

- - -
Produced By - PGA Conference
June 4, 5 & 6 in Los Angeles
This is a TRULY INCREDIBLE opportunity to
spend three days with over 130 of the industry's top producers
and creators, from blockbuster films to top indie films, television shows,
reality series, documentaries, and more!
www.producedbyconference.com
Mention our friend Jeff Gund's INFOLIST.com when you register, and get over 40% OFF!! That's just $595 (normally $999!) for access to over 100 of the most influential people working in the industry today! You MUST type INFOLIST in the box marked "How did you hear about our Conference?" and then select INFOLIST from the pull-down menu under "Industry Professional Registration."

PLUS
GET AN ADDITIONAL $300 OFF if you know an attending PGA member, and come as their guest! That's just $295 for the entire weekend! To get this very special rate, you MUST enter the first and last name of your PGA member friend, and type 9999 in the Promo Code field.

TO REGISTER:
Please go to:
www.producedbyconference.com/produceby-form-v3-validate.html
and be sure to mention INFOLIST.com and follow the directions above to get your discount!

For more detailed information on the guest speakers:www.producedbyconference.com/speakers.html

For more information about the conference, including panels and Mentoring roundtables:www.ProducedByConference.com
- - -
Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive
This weekend, June 5 & 6 at the Universal Sheraton
Get a discounted ticket when you register at:
www.kaplancomedy.com/usindustry.html
(That's only $250).  I'll be there on Sunday meeting
up with some of the participants from my Media Brand Workshop. 
- - -
New Media Film Festival
June 11, 12 & 13th
Learn what's new and what's next and see the best in New Media
Mobile, Online, TV, DVD and Theatrical
From mobisodes, webisodes, web series, and documentary and feature film projects shot on RED and it 3D
www.newmediafilmfestival.com
Screenings, Panels and Networking Parties
Enter T200 for $2 Discount on Individual Tickets
Enter T500 for $5 Discount on Day Pass
And I'll be interviewing founder/director Susan Johnston
on Wednesday, June 9th at 5:30PM PT.
Sign up for this free call at:
http://www.creativecvg.com/Home/Conversations.aspx
- - -
Great American PitchFest
June 26 & 27th
Saturday is a full day of classes and private consultations
and Sunday they bring in over 100 production companies,
agents and managers.
www.pitchfest.com
- - -
LATV Fest
July 1 2, 13, 14, & 15
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles TV Festival is a fantastic event for content creators and
producers interesting in working in network, cable, scripted or unscripted. 
Great workshops, panels, screenings, mentoring and networking! 

www.latvfest.net
- - -
Nxt Stage Conference
July 27 & 28th in Los Angeles
NXT STAGE conferences are entertainment industry events targeting the
Hollywood creative community, executives from the film/TV production
sector around the topic of new media.
www.nxtstage.net
- - -
As always participants in my Media Brand Workshop get the first opportunity
to participate, attend or volunteer.  I do my best to comp at least one person
into an event when I can, and usually get great discounts or the opportunity
to extend an invitation to volunteers to those on my list.  Find us on Facebook
at Philippa Burgess' Your Media Brand Mentor and follow us on Twitter
@yourmediabrand.  For more information about my Media Brand Mentor Workshop
visit www.yourmediabrandmentor.com.   You can also sign up for our company
mailing list at: http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/join.asp?merchantid=106574. 


To Your Success,

Philippa

Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive: June 5th & 6th

STEVE KAPLAN'S

 COMEDY INTENSIVE

June 5-6, 2010

 Special REPEATER rate of only $99

 

To Register, click the email address below:

skcomedy@aol.com

 

David Fury, Emmy-Winning Writer/Producer for 24, Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more said of Steve:

"I wrote...my best, funniest sketches thanks, in no small part, to the lessons I learned from Steve Kaplan's comedy classes. Steve breaks the fine art of comedy down...that helps the unfunny become funny, and the funny become funnier."

 

Event Details:

June 5 & 6, 2010

Saturday & Sunday

9:30am to 6:00pm both days

Fees:

normally $295  Repeater Rate $99

 

·EVENT DETAILS:
Sign up now!

Upcoming Classes:

STEVE KAPLAN'S COMEDY INTENSIVE

June 5 & 6, 2010

Venue:

Sheraton Universal Hotel

333 Universal Hollywood Drive

Universal City, CA 91608

Times:

9:30am to 6:00pm each day

for Repeater Rate, email Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive at: skcomedy@aol.com
or phone: 818-718-7570

STEVE KAPLAN ENDORSEMENTS:

"Great job! Everybody really loved your seminar! You've completely made a whole new group of friends here at Dreamworks." - John Tarnoff, VP at Dreamworks

"Steve Kaplan was a very important influence on me as a young performer and writer. Many of his techniques for analyzing a comedy scene I still use to this day. Although, I make sure I never give him credit."- Steve Skrovan, Writer/Producer for Everybody Loves Raymond

"Kaplan - the Stanislavski of Comedy!" - Backstage Magazine

"The best comedy intensive workshop in the city. If you can [take the class], and are serious about comedy, I highly recommend this class." - P.B., Talent Manager
"Kaplan lays out the mechanics of funny, in a way that can be applied to every situation. His class was invaluable to me as a writer and a director. I wish I had taken it years ago." --Don Handfield, Writer/Director

Kaplan has worked with the writers of: Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Big Love, King of Queens, Analyze This, The Comeback, Friends, Fun with Dick and Jane, 'Til Death, Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show and hundreds of others.
More Endorsements on the Kaplan Website
Check out some of the great press Steve got in Film Ink magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald and more from his recent tour of Austrlia: PRESS

Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive website

Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive

818 718-7570

skcomedy@aol.com

http://www.KaplanComedy.com

Please visit Steve Kaplan's website for more information, details and to register online (with secure registration). If you have any additional questions, or would like to register over the phone, please don't hesitate to call us at 818 718-7570. We can be e-mailed at skcomedy@aol.com

Steve Kaplan's Comedy IntensiveKaplanComedy.com
818-718-7570
Follow me on
Twitter at Twitter.com/skcomedy
Facebook at Facebook.com/KaplanComedy
 

For Emerging TV Writers: Apply to Disney/ABC & WB Writers' Workshop

Hi Everyone, 

This note is specifically for emerging TV writers.  

Just a quick reminder about the ScriptPipeline International TV
Writing Competition and that submissions are now open for both 
the Disney/ABC Television Group and the Warner Bros Writers' Workshop.  
Plus Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive in LA June 5 & 6th.  

-- 
3rd Annual TV Writing Competition 

Our friends at ScriptPipeline (aka ScriptP.I.M.P.) have the deadline 
for their TV Script Competition coming up on May 15th 
(when you submit through WithoutaBox). 

Find all the details at:  
http://www.scriptpipeline.com/tv-writing-competition 


-- 
Warner Bros Writers’ Workshop

Submit your TV specs to our friends at the Warner Bros Writers’ Workshop.  
To apply submit a half-hour or hour writing sample based on a primetime 
network or cable series that aired new episodes during the 2009-2010 
television season.  Submissions are being accepted now through June 1, 2010.  

Find all the details at:  
http://writersworkshop.warnerbros.com/

The Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop consists of three components 
all geared towards preparing the writer for a successful career in television 
writing.

Lectures: Weekly lectures feature guest speakers currently working in television 
and include a mix of showrunners, directors, actors and agents. Each seminar will 
teach a new skill essential for surviving and excelling in a writers’ room as a 
staff writer and beyond. 

Simulated Writers’ Room: After the lectures, the Workshop participants are 
divided into smaller groups for an intensive writing experience. Each participant 
will be required to complete a new spec script under the same deadlines found on a 
show currently in production. How participants perform during this exercise will 
determine whether they will be chosen for a possible staffing position on a 
Warner Bros. show. Yes, the stakes are that high! 

Staffing: Upon completion of the program, Studio executives will help participants, 
who pass the Writers' Room, obtain a staff position on a Warner Bros. television 
show currently in production. We can’t guarantee you will get staffed, but we will 
get your material in front of the people who make the ultimate decisions 
– the showrunners. 

The 2010–2011 Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop will run October 2010–March 2011, 
with meetings on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles, California, every Wednesday 
evening from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Full participation is mandatory. 

Learn more at: http://writersworkshop.warnerbros.com/

Before you submit you can also get your TV specs covered at ScriptPipeline.  
They have a 2 - 5 day turnaround and can give you great insights into taking 
your TV spec to the next level.  

Learn more at:  http://www.scriptpipeline.com/writers-workshop

--
Disney / ABC Talent Development

Submit your TV Specs to our friends at Disney / ABC Talent Development.  
To apply submit a half-hour or hour writing sample based on a primetime 
network or cable series that aired new episodes during the 2009-2010 
television season.  Submissions are being accepted now through June 30, 2010.  

Created in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), 
the Disney|ABC Television Writing Fellowship is based in Los Angeles and is 
widely recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s most coveted 
writing programs. About the Television Writing Fellowship Fellows become 
employees of Disney | ABC Television Group and will be paid a weekly 
salary of $961.54 ($50,000.00 annualized) plus any applicable benefits 
for which they are eligible in accordance with the then-current Company 
benefits plans. The program is designed to expose aspiring writers to 
key executives, producers and literary representatives – all essential 
in the pursuit of a writing career. Additionally, while in the program, 
fellows have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a current programming 
or development executive to create spec scripts of series from the current 
broadcast season.  The ultimate goal is to prepare and nurture the fellows 
for a writing career. 

Learn more at: http://www.abctalentdevelopment.com/programs/programs_writings_fellowship.html

Before you submit you can also get your TV specs covered at ScriptPipeline.  
They have a 2 - 5 day turnaround and can give you great insights into taking 
your TV spec to the next level.  
Learn more at:  http://www.scriptpipeline.com/writers-workshop

--

Steve Kaplan Comedy Intensive 
June 5 – 6th in Los Angeles 
at Universal Sheraton Hotel 

Register for Industry Discount (Save $45) at:
http://www.kaplancomedy.com/usindustry.html

I've taken this course alongside many of the mentees 
from Chris Soth's Your Screenplay Mentor Program 
www.yourscreenplaymentor.com and I absolutely LOVED IT!!!  

The seminar is The Industry's #1 Course on Comedy, attracting 
top writers, producers, directors and executives from such 
companies as Dreamworks, Disney, Aardman Animation, NBC, 
Touchstone, ABC and more. 

David Fury, Emmy-Winning Writer/Producer for 24, Lost, 
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more said of Steve: 
"I wrote...my best, funniest sketches thanks, in no small part, 
to the lessons I learned from Steve Kaplan's comedy classes. 
Steve breaks the fine art of comedy down...that helps the 
unfunny become funny, and the funny become funnier." 

Get your Industry Discount at: 

http://www.kaplancomedy.com/usindustry.html

Regularly $295 – You Pay only $250 

-- 

To your success, 


Philippa 


Find us on Facebook at: Creative Convergence Inc. 
Follow us on Twitter @creativecvg 
Connect with us on LinkedIn: pb@creativecvg.com  

Sign up for our newsletter at:
http://www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/join.asp?merchantid=106574

May 1st Deadline: Script Pipeline Writing Competition

2010 Script P.I.M.P. Writing Competitions
- 20% OFF -
Deadline May 1st

*Use Promo Code SPNews10 when registering to receive 20% off one or more contest entries   (Expires: 4/27/2010) 

8th Annual 2010 Script P.I.M.P. Screenwriting & Teleplay Competitions

FINAL DEADLINE: May 1st, 2010 - $50

$20,000 overall CASH to winners & $80,000 in prizes

For registration, visit: http://www.scriptpipeline.com/screenwriting-competition

**Writers may also request general script notes for an additional $40**

The 2010 Script P.I.M.P. Screenwriting and TV Competitions are accepting entries for feature film and TV scripts—all genres, styles, and lengths accepted.  This is an international competition and non-U.S. writers are welcome.

$20,000 in cash to the finalists/winners, and $80,000 in prizes given away to ANYONE who enters.  Finalist loglines/scripts are sent to 200 companies.

Four (4) Grand-Prize winners receive:

--$14,000

total cash ($3,500 each)

--$250 travel voucher and invitation as recognized finalist to attend the Script Pimp Awards Ceremony at Writers Boot Camp in Santa Monica, CA in July 2010 where the winners will be announced
--$1,000 toward the "Think Tank" program at Writers Boot Camp ($4,000)
--Winning script recorded by iScript ($800)
--Plus ALL the finalist prizes listed below. . . .

Top 20 Finalists receive:

--$3,200 total cash (16 finalists receive $200 each)--$250 travel voucher and invitation as recognized finalist to attend the Script Pimp Awards Ceremony at Writers Boot Camp in Santa Monica, CA in July 2010 where the winners will be announced

--Guaranteed circulation to over 200 Companies
--Mentor teleconference meetings with a producer, manager, or agent to discuss the finalist's script
--5-year memberships to Script Pimp's Writers Database ($10,000)
--Featured 'Script Pimp Recommend' listing on Ink Tip™
--$100 "Creative Currency" for Writers Boot Camp ($2,000)
--A seat to Chris Soth's Million Dollar Screenwriting Teleseminar (appx. $250/seat)
--A seat to Philippa Burgess' Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career Teleseminar (appx. $300/seat)

--A seat to Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive Course (appx. $250/seat)

The 3^rd Annual Script P.I.M.P. TV Writing Competition

http://www.scriptpipeline.com/tv-writing-competition

Acceptable entries: Specs (current or former TV shows); Original Pilots; Reality/Game Show Proposals. Any length or genre.

Grand prize is $1,500 to the best spec, pilot, or reality series proposal.  Nine (9) other finalists receive $150 each, as well as guaranteed circulation to 200 companies and other prizes.

Contact entry@scriptpimp.com with questions or to request more information.

To submit: http://www.scriptpipeline.com/screenwriting-competition

Script Pipeline Home Page: http://www.scriptpipeline.com

***All new Writers Database members get one FREE entry into either competition!***

Sign up here: http://www.scriptpipeline.com/writers-database

*miscellaneous prizes are given away at random

Congrats, Updates and Upcoming Schedule

Hi everyone,



You are receiving this as a member of the

Your Signature Story membersite.



We're ready to launch for 2010.



It's already been a busy year so far with much

more good stuff to come.



First, I'd like to congratulate all of my 2009

Your Signature Story Mentorship and

Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career

Intensive participants on an amazing job moving

forward with all of your projects and taking your

community building to the next level.


Several from our group were able to join me at the

recent NATPE TV Conference in Las Vegas, and at

the SF Writers Conference this past weekend

in San Francisco.  Next up we'll be at the Film & TV

Expo (www.ftxevents.com) in Vancouver March

6-7th.



I've received a lot of questions, and I am just getting

my focus back to answer them.  Among them were...

when our next classes and calls?



Mark your calendars.



My Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career

session starts again this Tuesday,

February 23rd and continues Tuesdays and

Wednesdays through the end of March (March

9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd & 24th)

5:30 - 8PM PDT / 8:30 - 11PM EDT

Lectures, Q&A, MP3s, handouts, supplementary

materials and group discussions.  This program is

included with Chris Soth's year-long Your Screenplay

MentorshipProgram (www.yourscreenplaymentor.com)

for $247/month or is $297 at

(www.screenplaybyphone.com/career)

if you wish to take it as a stand-alone.  If you are a

screenwriter this is not to be missed.  Alum are welcome

back for free.  Email me and questions at

course@creativecvg.com.


Chris Soth just had a preview call of his year-long

Your Screenplay Mentor Program and you

can listen to this Mp3 on Achieving Your

2010 Screenwriting Goals at:

www.yourscreenplaymentor.com.


There is a Hollywood by Phone call

this Thursday, February 25th at 5:30PM PDT

with TV Executive and Consultant

Monique Nash as the guest.  Ask your questions

about working in TV at:

www.hollywoodbyphone.com/NextFREELiveCall.aspx



I look forward to your joining us for one or more of

these upcoming calls, sessions or programs.



To your success,



Philippa



P.S.  Join me on Facebook at "Philippa Burgess Course"

and "Creative Convergence"

Become a LinkedIn or Facebook fan of Your Signature Story

and Million Dollar Screenwriting Groups.

Follow me on Twitter at: signaturestory and sellyourcontent

It's True - YSS Community is Producing a Webseries in Paris! Call to Action

Hi Everyone,
Would you like to be a producer a webseries that is being shot in Paris this Fall? What about getting an acknowledgement in the credits? Or the great feeling of knowing that you played a part in it's success by making a contribution - large or small, cheering on from the sidelines and just as importantly -- following its progress and sharing it with your friends.
And what if you could do it from the comfort of your home? This is our first community project being put together by fellow YSS members and we're inviting you to pitch in.

What's the project?

MY BITCHY WITCHY PARIS VACATION

A New Web Series Comedy Being Shot in Late 2009 & Premiering Early 2010


The story is about a fifteen-year-old girl still desperately waiting for her first period who travels to Paris with her menopausal mom so they can stop bickering and re-connect. The girl’s pregnant older sister comes along to ensure her mom and sister don’t kill each other—only she has some hormonal issues of her own. The idea sprang from an article in the New York Times on the topic of older mothers going through menopause at the same time their children go through puberty.

Alexis Niki, Writer/Producer

Kartik Singh, Director


Can we tell you more about it?



Here's a note from writer/producer Alexis Niki who is a YSS mentorship participant and YSS community member.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/YSS/DOC/BW_YSS.doc

Here's the press kit:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/YSS/PDF/BWMediaKit.pdf   

And a chat with director, Kartik Singh who is also a MDSCC course participant and YSS community member.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/YSS/MP3/YSSCommunity-BitchyWitchy.mp3


If you contribute more than $500 Euros or lead a group that raises 500 Euros / (about $700) you're receive a producer credit.



If you make a cash donation of any size - payable by check or through their paypal account at www.bitchywitchy.com, you'll receive a "made possible by..." acknowledgement.


Here's what two of our members have said about why they made their donations to the project:

"It's more than a pleasure to contribute to a project created by my good friend Alexis Nikki. In fact, it's a true honor. Not only is Alexis an incredibly talented writer, her excellent leadership skills make her a natural-born producer. I thoroughly enjoyed having her as a writing partner during an extensive Pro Series Master course and have no doubt "My Bitch Witchy Paris Vacation" will not disappoint." - Eric Sentell, Screenwriter, MDSCC & YSS Alumni & YSS Community Member

"As a filmmaker myself, I wanted to assist Alexis in some way, but there is an ocean between us. I know the details such as costumes and locations, etc. can run up a budget, so I opened up my wallet. I also love the concept (and Paris) and I can envision the many facets of humor (and womanhood) Alexis can explore. And so, I can’t wait to see the web series!" - Candee Kramer, Screenwriter & Short Filmmaker, MDSCC Alum & YSS Mentorship Participant

And as we all know it is all about speading the word -- so please do your part to read up on the progress as it is announced and watch the episodes are they are made available in 2010.


Any way in which you can lend your support to this project, now and in the coming months -- is greatly appreciated.


Be sure to check out the embedded links and go to www.bitchywitchy.com for all of the details.

To your success,



Philippa

Got Your Top 10 Favorite Resources for Writers?

Hi everyone,

We’re putting together a list of conferences, contests, courses and resources that you love and would recommend as being indispensable to fellow writers, authors, experts and content creators looking to get ahead in their careers.

Please give us your top ten along with a brief description of each. Be sure to give testimonials for your top three. Then email this doc to me at course@creativecvg.com.

When I tally I’ll be breaking down the results into some of following categories.


Screenwriting Events


Screenwriting Contests


Book Contests / Awards


Film Festivals


Coverage Services


Author Events


Book Marketing


Script Marketing

Filmmaking


Social Networking

Books / Blogs / Podcasts


Peer Review / Groups


Online Resources


PR Services


Book Consultants


Script Consultants


Networking Events


Courses / Speakers / Teachers / Trainings



Your contributions are greatly appreciated!!!
 

To your success,
 
 
Philippa Burgess

Upcoming Screenwriting & Content Career Course

Hello everyone,


This is Philippa Burgess with Creative Convergence Inc. and I will be facilitating the Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career Intensive coming up in October and November. The program focuses on the business and marketing aspects of your screenwriting career. It is offered three times a year for $297 although alum find it to be priceless, and included as part of Chris Soth's Screenwriting Mentorship Program (http://www.yourscreenplaymentor.com/) and the YSS Mentorship Program (www.yoursignaturestory.com/courses/offered).
You may know me from my activities related to speaking and writing about marketing for writers. I started my career in the motion picture literary department at ICM (International Creative Management) and then went on to co-found the literary management company Mason Burgess Lifschultz which subsequently evolved into Creative Convergence. This course is the career companion to Chris Soth's Million Dollar Screenwriting Teleseminar. I’ve known since before he became a million-dollar screenwriter from our days at USC Film School together and together I believe we cover the bases of what you need to know to become a professional writer in Hollywood.
In my journey as an entertainment professional I am aware of the common practice in Hollywood that we ignore you until you figure it out. Having worked on the representation side of the business for over a decade I have a lot of insights to share about how to reframe and expand your thinking about the business. The goal of this program is to help you to maximize your efforts and your results so that you can not only break in to Hollywood, but also set the groundwork for a sustainable screenwriting career.

The live calls will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesday nights – October 6 & 7 and then continuing October 20, 21, 27, 28 and November 3 & 4. We start at 5:30PM PT. On average it is a hour and a half lecture followed by a one hour free-form Q&A. There is a PDF handout and an MP3 made available for all of these calls in addition to the online forum for networking, questions and sharing resources. The online components are especially valuable for those who are not able to make the live calls due to work, personal or time zone conflicts.

In the eight sessions we cover:

October 6 - Hollywood Career Diamond

October 7 - Your Signature Story

October 20 - Navigating the Studios, Independent & Indie Film

October 21 - Navigating Network, Cable TV & New Media

October 27 - Working with Execs, Producers & Talent

October 28 - Working with Agents, Managers & Attorneys

November 3 - Marketing Yourself & Your Script

November 4 - Picture the Deal: Standards, Practices and Pitfalls

If you have not yet registed you can do so at: www.yoursignaturestory.com/courses/offered. If you are in Chris Soth's Screenwriting Mentorship Program email me to confirm your participation at: course@creativecvg.com. Once you sign up please register an account at www.yoursignaturestory.com and request to join the group MDSCCOct-Nov2009.

I look forward to having you join us.

To your success,


Philippa Burgess

Learn How to Use YSS to Achieve Your Goals

"Welcome to YSS Membersite Call" for writers, authors, experts and content creators on marketing across Hollywood, Publishing & PR. Wednesday, September 16th at 5:30PM PT. Dial In: 712-432-3900. Bridge: 884622#
If you have any questions that you'd like me to answer on this call email me at course@creativecvg.com.

Are You Ready to Build Out Your Media Platform?

Are You Ready to Build Out Your Media Platform?

You don't have to do it alone.

I'm really excited about our starting up our Your Signature Story 2009 Mentorship Program.

Join me and a dedicated group of writers, authors, experts and content creators who are committed to taking their content and careers to the next level in this teleseminar and online mentorship program.

You’ll get the professional guidance, information and inspiration you need to move forward and get things done!

Now, more than ever, there are a multitude of opportunities to share your story, expand your reach and make more money. The process of making it happen, trusting you have the right strategy, learning new technologies, and getting to the right people, may seem daunting, but this mentorship will simplify the process.

Get the insights you need to access and leverage the power of Hollywood, Publishing &

PublicityIt doesn't matter where you are in the process.We invite you to learn more about the many benefits of participating in the upcomingYour Signature Story: From Content Creator to Media Brand Mentorship ProgramLearn How to Create Value with a Media BrandMonday, April 27th at 5:30PMRegister for this Free Preview Call at:www.creativecvg.com/ysscall.php

In the Mentorship Program

You'll learn how to apply the five disciplines necessary for creating a successful media brand.

Brand Identity

Entrepreneurship

Storytelling

Technology

Communications

Where could your content and platform be by the end of the year?This year's program, now in its third year -runs from May through December 2009.You can join us month-to-month orsign up for the entire year in advance.Let us help you take it there.

From Content Creator to Media Brand 2009 Mentorship Program

Yes, Sign Me Up

or

Pre-Pay for the Year

Mentorship Program is limited to 25 Participants

“The information has given me a new perspective on my writing. It has opened up another world of opportunities.” -Sharon Outlaw

“I learned so much. If only my professors had taught me all this at UCLA film school, I might have saved myself a lot of time and aggravation. Thanks again for a wonderful and informative course!” -David Wisehart

“Thank you for the great course. Your experience, generosity, honesty and professionalism, were particularly appreciated by me.” -Tetchena Bellange

"I am still reaping the benefits of participating in Your Signature Story. You helped me to clarify my branding vision for The Twelve Gifts. Thank you!" - Charlene Costanzo - Author, THE TWELVE GIFTS OF BIRTH series - www.thetwelvegifts.com

It's an easy and effective program.

We meet on Monday evenings.

Just dial into the conference line:

5:30PM - 8:30PM Pacific

6:30PM - 9:30PM Mountain

7:30PM - 10:30PM Central

8:30PM - 11:30PM Eastern

You can participate from anywhere.

Lectures are on one Monday evening each month.

May 4 - Social Networking

June 1 - Online Marketing

July 6 - Scoring Print

August 3 - Live Events

September 14 - Radio / TV News

October 5 - Publishing

November 2 - Television

November 30 - Feature Film

Workshops are two Monday evenings each month.

May 11 & 18 - Signature Story

June 8 & 22 - Audience

July 13 & 27 - Positioning

August 10 & 24 - Brand Proposal

September 21 & 28 - Business Models

October 12 & 26 - Online Brand

November 9 & 16 - Marketing

December 7 & 14 - PR Strategy

It'll show you the way and keep you on track.

In addition to the live teleseminars, and MP3s that are made available after each conference call, there is an active discussion and supplementary handouts in the online group. Plus office hours, private consults and special industry guests.

- Office Hours - Thursday Afternoons

4PM - 5PM Pacific

5PM - 6PM Mountain

6PM - 7PM Central

7PM - 8PM Eastern

- A 20 minute private consult is schedule with each participant at a mutually convenient time each month.

- Ask, listen and learn from special industry guests from across Hollywood, Publishing and PR.How much does it cost you?It's only $247 a month for 8 months.

Or pay $1482 for the year and save over $400. And there is a full-money back guarantee if the program is not right for you. If you have any questions about the mentorship program or our entertainment consulting services please email course@creativecvg.com or call (310) 926-0290.

Yes, Sign Me Up

or

Pre-Pay for the Year

Make the commitment to your success.Look forward to seeing you on the Monday, April 27th preview call Creating Value with a Media BrandLearn the 7 Steps to Create Content, Find Fans & Make MoneyRegister at: www.creativecvg.com/ysscall.php

Spring Forward with Your Signature Story Mentorship Program

It's been a very busy few months for us at Creative Convergence.
After the Hollywood slowdown in 2008 with all of its strikes and negotiations
things have finally gotten back on track. We're also seeing
a lot of changes in publishing and tons of new opportunities in the media space.

It's a great time to be a writer, author, expert or content creator. However,
there is much more responsibility and you need to be more savvy about the
marketplace and what you need to be successful in it.

Welcome to the 2009 Mentorship Program.

We're having a preview call for this year's program on April 27th at 5:30PM Pacific (Live Nationwide). We'll be talking about "Creating Value with a Media Brand"

You can register at: www.creativecvg.com/ysscall.com.

On the call you'll learn 7 Steps to Create Content, Find Fans & Make Money through Hollywood, Publishing & PR.

More information about the upcoming program can be found through the
Courses link at www.yoursignaturestory.com

I look forward to having you join me.

To your success,

Philippa

Happy New Year!

We are excited about this coming year and all of the opportunities that are out there for writers. I am committed to empowering writers, authors, experts and content creators to powerfully nagivate the business of entertainment and media as it continues to evolve and change.

My next Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career Course starts January 12th. It'll run for 8 sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5:30PM - 7:30PM Pacific / 7:30PM - 9:30PM Central / 8:30 - 10:30PM Eastern. Learn more and register at: www.screenplaybyphone.com/career.

I will also be speaking at the upcoming San Francisco Writers Conference (www.sfwriters.org) on February 13 - 15th at the St. Marks Hotel on Nob Hill. My lecture is going to be: Branding Yourself: How You Can Leverage the Power of Hollywood, Publishing and Publicity. The conference will be packed with great information and some of the publishing industry's best and brightest. You can also check out all of the recent teleseminars that we'd produced with them at www.sfwriters.info.

Wishing you great success in 2009!

Best,

Philippa

The Richness of Writing for Children & YA

Hello,

If you are thinking about writing for the children's or YA market you don't want to miss this call on Wednesday, December 10th at 5:30PM Pacific (Live Worldwide).

This San Francisco Writers Conference Teleseminar features award-winning children's book author Douglas Rees (Uncle Pirate, Vampire High and Grandy Thaxter's Helper) and his agent, Laurie McLean, with Larsen Pomada Literary Agents. Doug and Laurie are excited to share their views on the wealth inherent in children's book writing (and the many ways you can define the word "richness".)

The Richness of Writing for Children
Wednesday, December 10th
5:30PM Pacific / 7:30PM Central / 8:30PM Eastern

Register at: www.sfwriters.org/ask5/index.php

There is no cost to be on the live call outside of your regular long distance charges or cell phone minutes. Don't forget to ask a question! Tell your friends about this free teleseminar--especially anyone writing Children's Books. Even if you can't make the live call -- register and you'll be sent the link to the MP3.

A REMINDER REGARDING 2009 San Francisco Writers Conference
February 13 - 15th at the St. Mark's Hotel

Go to www.SFWriters.org for details and on-line registration.

A HOLIDAY GIFT FOR YOU!
FREE SFWC TELESEMINAR SERIES DOWNLOADS at www.SFWriters.info.

There is so much information to hear during an SFWC Teleseminar, that you simply want to hear them again and again! So we want to be sure that you know you can download any or all of the SFWC Teleseminars at www.SFWriters.info. Four of the seminars are now available as downloads.

To your success,

Philippa

--
www.creativecvg.blogspot.com
www.yoursignaturestory.com
www.screenplaybyphone.com/career
www.sfwriters.org
www.sfwriters.info
--

The Power of Your Media Brand

This is my second blog post this month over at Write Non-Fiction in November

Read more of Nina Amir's blog at www.writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com

How Writers Can Create Their Own Media Brand

“Branding” has become quite a catch word these days. As nonfiction writers, we, too, need to “brand” ourselves and our work. We even need to go so far as to become a “media brand.” In the process, however, we can make our writing more marketable to publishers, and, ultimately, to readers.

What exactly is a media brand and how do we as writers go about accomplishing the creation of our own media brand? Back today to tell us is entertainment professional and consultant Philippa Burgess of Creative Convergence. I’ve heard her speak about this topic, and I’ve always found what she has to say fascinating. I know that by applying the principle of branding to myself and to what I write, I can not only make myself more-marketable as a writer, but that I can help myself build a platform across all media - all of which will make my books sell better as well.

So, today, take off your writers hat and put on your marketing hat. Or, better yet, wear them both. That, I think, is the idea.

The Power of Your Media Brand
By Philippa Burgess
Entertainment Professional and Consultant
Partner, Creative Convergence Inc.

As nonfiction writers, I encourage you to think about becoming a media brand. In my previous post we talked about how to create compelling content. Beyond that, the success of your project lies in your ability to market it to the greater public. The easiest way to do this is to cultivate a relationship with your audience that includes desire, familiarity, and value using a myriad of media channels. In doing so, with a certain amount of consistency and growing visibility, you become a media brand. The additional benefit to doing it this way is that you are able to develop your content and your platform concurrently. When your book is ready you’ll have a better product that’s knows its place in the market primed with a ready audience.
Here are some key points you need to know and keep in mind when creating your media brand:

A media brand is a promise. If the expectation is a positive one, every time it delivers on its promise it deepens the loyalty of its audience. A brand seeks to earn mindshare, which is a general awareness that it exists. From there, it has the aim of creating top of mind awareness in its category. This means that if someone says, “Toothpaste,” and you say, “Crest,” this brand of toothpaste not only has mindshare, but represents the category leader in your mind. This holds true for media brands such as Dr. Phil, Oprah and Martha Stewart, who all have vast mindshare and are category leaders in their respective arenas.

See your media brand as a relationship that creates and fulfills a desire for its audience. A brand is not just a fancy logo or a catchy tag line but an experience that is shared between the company, product or service and its audience. Therefore, a successful brand is able to become a proven commodity in the marketplace. Writers, celebrities, and titles are just as much as brands as Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Tiffany’s.

This is important to you as nonfiction writers, because today’s audience encounters over 60,000 marketing messages a day. Everyone is vying for our attention while looking to make a positive impression. If your brand has rooted itself within the hearts and minds of your audience through repeated interactions over time, then it has established value. From there it can be promoted across larger and larger media channels with greater traction and ultimate success.

Build your media brand so you can distinguish yourself and your message from other nonfiction writers in the marketplace. If you are writing a memoir or offering practical advice on anything from how to run a business, a family or a hi-tech gadget, then you need to be sure you are distinguishable in the marketplace from all others. You want your audience to develop a relationship with you, and then consistently seek you out for the fulfillment of their desires - be it for information, inspiration or entertainment.

Your media brand builds on its success and provides additional opportunities to get your message out. There are many who come to nonfiction writing with academic or real world credentials, but all nonfiction writers need to start thinking along the lines of gaining media credentials. If bloggers, magazines, conferences and talk shows want to talk about what you’re doing because they think you’ll entertain and inform their audience, thus making their brand look good, then you’re on your way to being able to successfully grow your brand into the publishing arena, television or even film.

Your media brand helps you to consistently reach and call your audience to action. We often hear “platform” as a buzzword in the publishing industry. It is becoming more essential to have a platform, because it means that you have cultivated an audience so there is less risk involved for publishers when it comes to investing in your project. They know that when you speak, your audience listens. They have confidence that you have learned to navigate the infrastructure you need to reach your audience and have proven your value through repeated interactions. Moreover, you know how to motivate (or ethically bribe) your audience into action. It also becomes easier to move a story across media channels, such as articles, books, graphic novels, television, or film, if the story or its author, are branded.

Your media brand gives you the opportunity to monetize yourself and your project. Given your ability to deliver an audience, you have created more opportunities for speaking, articles, book sales, film rights or other business transactions. You’ve proven that you have something to offer; now comes the time to start packaging it to sell across media platforms. The more established your brand becomes the more value is attached to what you are selling. The term “rich and famous” is just simple math. The more people a brand is able to connect with powerfully, the more revenue it can generate for you and others.

Start small and grow it with steady efforts. As you look to establish your brand across media channels, remember that every oak tree was once an acorn. Trust that you will get experience as you go - “ready, fire, aim.” You won’t do all of this perfectly, so don’t worry about it. You’ll need to step out and jump. Then you can adjust course along the way. The idea of starting small can help you get practice, but it can also help you learn what your audience really wants and needs from you. When you make mistakes, they are in front of a smaller audience who are more forgiving. Plus, your brand will still be emerging and less will be at stake.

Cultivate your relationship with your audience as you develop your content. In this way you’ll get to work on your material and see how you are able to deliver the most value. Writing articles or giving talks is a good way to find the parts of your story that are the most compelling and valuable based on audience feedback. As you develop your stories, join writers groups or speaking clubs, such as Toastmasters, to polish your skills.

Take the time to go to the bookstore, the video store and Amazon.com and look at competing authors and titles. You want to find authors and titles you can point to in your space that have been successful, but you also want to find ways to distinguish yourself from them and fill a gap in the market. Think in terms of presenting your brand as “the fresh in the familiar.” Doors in entertainment and media are not difficult to open if you have the key. It is a very doable process if you take the right steps to fashion such a key by creating a strong media brand.

Not only do titles, books and authors become media brands, so do particular niche markets and categories. Find your category, take the steps to developing your media brand and look for the audience that is looking for you.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

SFWC Teleseminar Series

Over the past few months we've had the great pleasure of working with Elizabeth Pomada & Michael Larsen of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency who are the co-founders of the San Francisco Writers Conference and Writing For Change Conference, along with their team who are instrumental in the organization and running of the events.

Together we've put together a series of teleseminars on various topics with some of the conference speakers that are important to writers at every stage of writing, development and promotion.

I'm posting them here for you to check out at your leisure. There are some terrific gems of information to be gleaned from each and every call. They cover the storytelling, PR, blogging and the role of an editor in publishing.

Elizabeth Pomada interviews Chris Soth of MillionDollarScreenwriting.com about story structure and techniques that makes a book a "page turner" and a script a "must-read."
www.creativecvg.com/SFWCChrisSoth11-19-08.wav

Michael Larsen interviews PR Guru Jill Lublin about scoring coverage in the media to build your platform both before and after the book is written.
www.creativecvg.com/SFWCJillLublin10-30-08.wav

Michael Larsen interviews Britt Bravo of HaveFun.DoGood and Kevin Smokler of VirtualBookTour about the bloggesphere.
www.creativecvg.com/SFWCBravoSmokler9-15-08.wav

Michael Larsen interviews industry veteran Alan Rinzler, Executive Editor at Jossey-Bass/Wiley & Sons.
www.creativecvg.com/SFW4CAlanRinzler7-16-08.wav

The San Francisco Writers Conference is this next February 13 - 15th at the St. Marks Hotel.
Learn more at http://www.sfwriters.org/. Early bird rate ends on December 31st.

It's a fantastic event and we hope you will spread the word and make your own plans to join us there in 2009.

Write Non-Fiction in November

You may have heard of Nanowrimo for the novel writing in November. But there is also a group for all the non-fiction writers out there run by Nina Amir called Write Non-Fiction in November. She's got a terrific blog packed with great information for all of you non-fiction writers out there.

You can check out the site at: www.writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com

I am today's guest blogger. Here's the write-up.

Today's agenda: Learning ways to make our writing more marketable, a necessary skill for writers to learn if they are to successfully sell their writing. After all, if we want to be published writers, or authors, we have to be able to sell our writing. That means what we write must be marketable. Makes sense, no? Sounds simple, but it isn’t.

To help us learn this all important lesson, Write Nonfiction in November welcomes guest blogger Philippa Burgess, an entertainment professional with Creative Convergence in Los Angeles. She specializes in developing and marketing literary content across Hollywood and the publishing and publicity industries. Out of all her experience, she’s culled three guideposts to help us hone our prose into marketable manuscripts.

Marketable Prose Informs, Inspires and Challenges Readers
By Philippa Burgess
Entertainment Professional and Consultant
Partner, Creative Convergence Inc.

I commend you on your participation in Write Non-Fiction in November. I know you’ve already received a ton of invaluable expert tips, and I have no doubt there will be more to come. I’d like to offer three of my own signature guideposts in order to help you develop your content so that it is inherently more marketable: to inform, to inspire, to challenge.

1. To Inform

What type of non-fiction are you writing?
Broadly speaking there are two types of non-fiction. You may want to consider which one you are writing because that will help you think about what types of media you can use to best share your story.

Type 1 - Narrative Non-Fiction - This tells a true story about your or someone else’s experience using a clear narrative structure. This type of story can be told in any particular literary genre, such as romance, comedy, thriller or adventure, but all the facts, characters and timeline are true and corroborated by primary and/or secondary sources. There are a lot of opportunities to publish these types of stories and they can take the form of articles, memoirs, biographies, and other types of non-fiction narrative books. They also may be pitched or adapted for television and feature films.

Type 2 - General or Prescriptive - This offers information that is either a newsworthy account of facts or a how-to approach that provides the audience with a way to save time, money and/or energy to achieve a desired result. Another popular style is to offer an opposing view to conventional wisdom. In either case, you are coming to the conversation with a certain amount knowledge that gives you credibility based on a combination of experience, education, and research.

2. To Inspire

How can your story generate the greatest impact?

For maximum impact you want to make sure your content is authentic and compelling. I offer you a simple but effective “Your Signture Story” formula that you can use to hit your mark with any story or message.

Picture a triangle and each side answers a different questions: Who are You? + What is Your Mission + Who is Your Audience? In the middle of that triangle is the answer that comprises an authentic and powerful story or message.

Who are you? What experience or expertise do you have? What human and emotional truths can you share? All notably authors (either fiction or non-fiction) have a clearly defined voice and point-of-view about the world. Take for example John Grisham, JK Rowling and Sebastian Junger, who all brought part of their own story to their writing. Grisham was a Southern lawyer (writing about Southern lawyers), Rowling lost her parents (remember, Harry is an orphan), and Junger writes about dangerous jobs (he’d had his own workplace accident while cutting trees and was a war correspondent for many years).

What is your mission? Whether it is to inspire, inform or entertain, you’ll do best with a clearly defined agenda when you enter the marketplace. Grisham spins tight thrillers that take us inside the justice system and into world of high powered business professionals; Rowling shares a philosophy of life and entertains with spellbinding magic and lore; Junger tackles what it is like to take serious risks with your life and in your work, because he believes humans have a greater capacity for physical risk than we normally acknowledge.

Who is your audience? It is important to know the audience your story or message is meant to touch. Think about what other books they might read, what TV shows and movies they watch, what magazine they buy, and what internet sites they surf. Surely, you might say that your story is ideal for everyone, but it helps if you have a primary demographic in mind when you start. This helps you in three ways: 1. You focus your voice. 2. You can explore the marketplace and see how else it has been served and where there is a gap for you to fill. 3. You’ll know exactly where to find your audience when you are ready to get yourself and your stories in front of them.

What is your signature story or message? Your particular story or message should serve each side of the triangle. It’s a good way to start for whatever type of writing endeavor you are initiating or a tool you can use as you approach rewriting your material.

3. To Challenge

But really, who cares?

I trust you’ve been informed and inspired, and now it is time to challenge you. You’ve got a great story to tell. You know what type of non-fiction story you are writing. You’ve done well to ask those hard questions about you, your mission, and your audience and crafted a story or a message that supports it. But then someone turns to you, as I have done to many writers, and asked the most challenging question of all, “Who cares?”

I am not trying to insult anyone in asking this hard question; it is a “tough-love” challenge. Many writers have stared at me in wonderment (or great disdain) at that moment. The key here is that the story may be about anything and just because you wrote it, you think I should care. The truth of the matter is that, as a reader, I want to know (I mean really know) that there is something in it for me. I want to know that I will uncover some secret knowledge that will make my life better or be moved by our human condition and get in touch with my own emotions. I want to be empowered either with information or with a renewed confidence in my own strength and abilities.

The answer then, when you are posed with the question, “Who Cares?” needs to be a resounding, “You.” The person you are pitching your idea to at that moment should be able to find something of value in it for them. And if they are really not your audience, because they don’t happen to fit the demographic you’ve defined, then jump right in and enthusiastically answer with great detail who you know cares and why.

With my three tips - to inform, inspire and challenge - in mind, I’m going to use myself as an example, so we can look at them in action. I’ll do this by asking myself the same questions and answering them.

Here goes:

What type of nonfiction do I write?

I write prescriptive non-fiction on marketing for writers.

What kind of impact do I want?

(Formula is You + Your Mission + Your Message = Your Signature Story)
I am an entertainment professional, and my mission is to inform, inspire and challenge writers to achieve greater success. My audience is writers, authors, experts and content creators who are interested in working across media channels.

Who cares?

I trust those writing Non-Fiction in November or those who want greater success in accessing and leveraging the power of Hollywood, publishing and publicity can benefit from my experience, guidance and message and that of my company.

I encourage you to continue on your road to Writing Non-Fiction in November. My thanks to Nina for inviting me to share on this blog. You are invited to learn more about our professional services at Creative Convergence Inc. and our teleseminar courses, resources and free member site for writers, authors, experts, and content creators. All of this is all part of Your Signature Story: From Content Creator to Media Brand.

About Philippa Burgess

Philippa Burgess is a partner at Creative Convergence an entertainment company in Los Angeles that specializes in literary development and marketing across media. The company has recently sold client projects to Warner Brothers, Paramount, Lifetime, and ABC Family. Recent TV production credits include “52 Fights” for ABC/Touchstone and “Men’s Guide the the Women’s Bathroom” for CBS/Paramount. Among their non-fiction film projects were “Thieves of Baghdad,” “Queensized” and “52 Fights.”

Philippa oversees the consulting division of the company. The department provides a collaborative creative and business development process for a dynamic list of consulting clients that include emerging non-fiction writers, experts, authors, and content creators who want to establish a media brand. She teaches at conferences around the country and faciliates the popular “Your Signature Story: From Content Creator to Media Brand” and “Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career” teleseminar courses.
www.creative-convergence.com

Some New Resources and Pre-Expo Round-Up

I've got a lot of great information for you about Screenwriting Expo this weekend.

First, whether you are going to be at Expo or not -- I would like to invite you to sign up for:

Our new Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career: Daily Dialogue which offers you a daily screenwriting resource tip that you may want to investigate further. www.creativecvg.com/connect.php

Our new Your Signature Story Quote of the Day from notable artists, authors and thought leaders designed to keep you inspired on your journey as a writer and content creator. www.creativecvg.com/connect.php

We're finally getting our new Your Signature Story membersite site up. It's still in Beta but you are officially welcome to come check it out at http://www.yoursignaturestory.com/ and set up your user profile so that you can connect with other writers and content creators in the community.

Plus, our friends at the San Francisco Writers Conference are hosting a teleseminar with our client and colleague Chris Soth of Million Dollar Screenwriting (see full bio below in Expo info) on Wednesday, November 19th at 5:30PM Pacific / 8:30PM Eastern. He'll be talking about what it takes to write compelling and cinematic stories. Feel free to share this with any of your screenwriter or fiction writer friends. You can register at http://www.sfwriters.org/ask4/index.php.

And -- if you're going to be at SCREENWRITING EXPO this weekend we'd love to connect with you in person.

I'll most likely be at the party of Thursday night, at the Expo on Friday for part of the day.

I'll be teaching:

Million Dollar Screenwriting Career: Picture the Deal on Saturday at 11AM

My colleague Brad Kushner will be on an Agents & Managers Panel on Saturday at 4PM.

Since I'm a huge fan of Heroes, I'll probably go check out the Heroes panel on Saturday at 6PM and I'll be at the party on Saturday night and back for a get together with Chris Soth, his mentees and my Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career alum on Sunday night.

I also suggest going to learn from some of our friends and colleagues including:
Pilar Alessandra: the director of the popular writing program 'On the Page' http://www.onthepage.tv/. Her screenwriting podcasts - with guests from within the industry - regularly appear in the film and TV top 100.

She'll be teaching:

Pitch in a Minute on Friday at 9AM

Beyond the Chick Flick -- Writing The Female Driven Screenplay on Friday at 11AM

Surviving Rewrite Hell on Friday at 2PM

Dynamic Dialogue on Friday at 4PM

Behind Their Eyes -- Creating Memorable Characters on Sunday at 9AM

Genre Tricks & Trends on Sunday at 11AM

You Had Me at Page One on Sunday at 2PM

Ellen Sandler: an Emmy nominated television writer/producer. She was Co-Executive Producer of the CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond, and the popular ABC series Coach as well as 25 prime time sitcoms. Ellen has created pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Family, Disney, Oxygen and the Australian Broadcasting Company. She is the author of The TV Writers Workbook: A Creative Approach to Television Scripts, published by Bantam/Dell.

She's teaching:

What Can I Say?- A Dialogue Workshop on Friday at 2PM.

Turning your Screenplay Into a TV pilot on Friday at 4PM.

Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein: a former studio exec who has produced films, plays, and television including the feature franchise The Substitute and most recently Tattoo U for FX Channel. Her writing credits include a variety of genres for indie and major companies, including ABC and Columbia Pictures. She also recently published What's the Big Idea: Writing Shorts.
Together Ellen and Devorah they will be running a pitch coaching salon. They're really terrific and worth getting to know.

Danny Manus: a Hollywood by Phone guest and most recently the CE at Clifford Werber Productions ("Cinderella Story," "Sydney White"), where he set up and will co-produce a larger budget family fantasy/adventure project at United Artists. Daniel is also attached to produce a teen comedy starring Emily Osment ("Hannah Montana") and is currently developing other scripts to be produced independently.

He'll be teaching:

The Other Side of the Table: A No B.S. Guide to Pitchfests for Writers on Thursday at 6PM

Exploring the differences between Indie Film and the Studio World on Friday at 4PM.

Chris Soth: sold his first screenplay, Firestorm, for $750,000, while still a graduate student in the USC screenwriting program. The movie was made, starring football star Howie Long, Scott Glenn, William Forsythe, Barry Pepper, and Suzie Amis, and was released in January of 1998. (“Firestorm rages with adventurous appeal.” - LA Times.) Chris was also paid $200,000 by Universal Studios to adapt the novel “A Fall of Moondust,” by Arthur C. Clarke of “2001” fame. In 2003 Chris sold his own original pitch, MEET JANE DOE to Signpost Pictures and Mosaic Media in a low-against-mid-six figure deal, with Hopscotch Pictures attached to produce. Chris guided the script through several stages of development and the film is expected to shoot in Australia this coming year. Chris's pitch THE CITIZEN was optioned by Escape Artists (Pursuit of Happyness) with Chris attached to produce. Chris also has written for independent investors, creating such screenplays as WASTELAND, HAUNTED HIGH and STAGE ONE, gathering knowledge used to craft DEAD MAN'S HAND as the perfect independent film project. His latest screenplay, OUTRAGE, starring Michael Madsen, Natasha Lyonne and Michael Berryman, was filmed in Georgia last spring and is in consideration for The Sundance Film Festival. In 2005, Chris founded the website MillionDollarScreenwriting.com to share his screenwriting expertise with aspiring screenwriters. His companion networking website, HollywoodByPhone.com, holds interviews with agents, studio executives, managers and filmmakers every week, and through ScreenplayByPhone.com, Chris mentors screenwriters around the world. He has taught at USC and UCLA and authored over 28 screenplays as well as the internet best-selling book "Million-Dollar Screenwriting: The Mini-Movie Method" and the best-selling pitch DVD: "SOLD! How I Set Up Three Pitches in Hollywood". Chris holds an MFA with distinction in screenwriting from the University of Southern California and a BA in Dramatic Literature from Vassar College, with highest honors.

He'll be teaching:

Million Dollar Screenwriting: Mini-Movie Method on Satuday at 9AM.

You may also want to learn more about:

Karl Iglesias: teaches at UCLA Extension's Writer's Program and Writers University. He is the best-selling author of The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters and Writing for Emotional Impact. He writes the regular column on the craft for Creative Screenwriting magazine. Passionate about great storytelling he specializes in the reader's emotional response to the written page. He can be reached through his website at http://www.karliglesias.com/. He's got several terrific sessions on emotional impact.

Steve Kaplan: the industry's most sought-after expert on comedy for almost 15 years. In addition to having taught at UCLA NYU Yale and other top universities Steve Kaplan created the HBO Workspace the HBO New Writers Program and was co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan's Punch Line Theatre. He's a MUST ATTEND if you're writing COMEDY!

Billy Mernit: author of Writing the Romantic Comedy (Harper/Collins) novelist (Imagine Me and You published by Shaye Areheart/Random House) and popular blogger (Living the Romantic Comedy) serves as both a private script consultant and a story analyst at Universal Studios while teaching at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. He's a MUST ATTEND is you're writing ROM COM!

Blake Snyder: has sold or been hired to write dozens of scripts for film and TV in his 20-year career including co-writing Blank Check for Disney and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg—both million-dollar sales. Blake is the author of the popular Save the Cat! series. http://www.blakesnyder.com/. I was on a panel with him last year and he's just got terrific energy, experience and insights.

Heather Hale: has over 45 hours of produced television including The Courage to Love a $5.5 million dollar Lifetime Original Movie that starred Vanessa Williams and is now available on DVD and four series: The Evidence which won 'Best New Series Pilot ' Lifestyle Magazine that won two Tellys and two PBS edutainment series that both won Emmys. Heather's 'Navigating Hollywood' DVD is a best seller and her business bio book Nirvana in a Cup was published last year.

Have a great weekend, and a fantastic Expo if you're here in LA for the event.

To your success,

Philippa

Join me for Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career

Hello,

Just a quick reminder about this Monday evening's preview call for Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career. It's at 5:30PM Pacific (Live Worldwide).

Do you know what makes Hollywood producers, execs and representatives tick, and what ticks them off? Do you have a strategy for successfully navigating Hollywood?

If you're ready to take your screenwriting career to the next level -- you won't want to miss this course. It focuses on the fundamentals of marketing, team building, and career strategy for making it in today's studio system.

You are invited to join the first lecture of Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career...Why? because I want you to have this information. I don't want you to have representatives and producers ignore you until you figure it out, which is sadly a reality of the business. This course is an opportunity to get on the inside track, get a good overview of the industry, its decision making power, and get the answers you need to move ahead powerfully.

This first lecture is on the The Hollywood Career Diamond

* The Career Diamond a way to make your screenwriting career rock solid. Used as the base of a pyramid it is a foolproof way to reach your pinnacle of success. The process is half "art" and half "business". It is also part "philosophy" and part "action." The four sides of the Career Diamond give you the magic formula for creating SUCCESS. Learn this and never wonder what you need to being doing next to keep moving forward.

* See the importance of concept and execution, both in your scripts, and in your life! * Understand business models - the economics and politics you need to go through the proper channels and get PAID!

* How networking & marketing can be made easy for introverts.

* See the process unfold before your eyes with these simple and achievable FOUR BASIC STEPS! This alone will change your selling approach!

Monday, October 27th at 5:30PM Pacific (Live Worldwide)

You are invited to join me to get a sneak peek at the course.

This first call is free - outside of your cell phone or long distance minutes.

Dial In: 712-432-3900
Bridge: 4489499#

Be sure to sign up for the preview call at www.screenplaybyphone.com/career
if you'd like to get a copy of the handout and the Mp3. And if you are interested
in learning more about the upcoming Your Signature Story: From Content Creator to Media Brand check out www.yoursignaturestory.com/yss/ysscourse.php.

To your success,

Philippa

Hear, there and everywhere...

For those of you in a listening mood:

Pilar Allesandra of OnthePage interviews my colleague Brad Kushner here at Creative Convergence was about our work with clients as literary managers.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/OnThePage

Chris Soth of Million Dollar Screnwriting interviews me on Hollywood by Phone.
http://askhollywoodbyphone.com/HBPPhilippaBurgess10-23-08.wav

Andy Coon of Final Cut Producer and fellow Montclair High School alumni interviews me.
http://fcproducer.com/2008/10/conversation-with-philippa-burgess-of-creative-convergence/

Also you can sign up for my upcoming course preview calls for Your Signature Story: From Content Creator to Media Brand and Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career at
http://www.yoursignaturestory.com/ask/ysscourse.php

Monday, October 23rd at 5:30PM Pacific / Live Worldwide
Wednesday, November 5th at 5:30PM Pacific / Live Worldwide.

Plus...If you have any questions about PR, join Jill Lublin, PR guru and co-author of
Guerilla PR on a call that we're producing with the San Francisco Writers Conference
on Thursday, October 30th at 5:30PM Pacific / Live Worldwide.
Register for this free call at www.sfwriters.org/ask/ask.php

Field Trip to Pixar

I spent quite a bit of time up in Northern California in August and September.

On one of my trips to San Francisco I met up with some of our Million Dollar Screenwriting & Content Career Alumni for a tour of Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville.

The company's blockbuster credits including Wall-E, Ratatouille, Cars, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc., Toy Story 1 & 2 and A Bug's Life.

Disney's Robert Iger is the CEO, Steve Jobs is the Chairman, and James Lasseter is the Chief Creative Officer. Since Disney came into the mix - they've significantly ramped up the production schedule. They are currently in production with Up! and Toy Story 3.

In the picture on the right are Lanser Howard, Bryan Hsuan and Brice Parker and I are standing in the main lobby.

Below is a picture of me posing with Scully and Mike.

We visited the animator huts, the rendering farm, the screening rooms, and the facility's commons and ample recreation grounds. We also stopped by Story Department and saw how the ideas are brought from script to screen. Andrew Stanton, Director/Writer of Finding Nemo describes his inspiration for the movie in saying, "In 1998 after working on A Bug's Life I wanted to spend time with my son. We were on the way to the park when I thought to myself, finally, some father/son time". He spent the whole day telling his son, "No," "Don't do that," "Stop" and it really concerned him that he was being run by fear. He knew it wasn't the way he wanted to be with his son - and this idea of the overprotective dad ultimately went on to become Finding Nemo.

Finding Nemo's development process began in May 2000 when the first storyboard was delivered. By October the 10,000 storyboard had been delivered and in November of that year they had the first screening of the film in story form. By May 2001 the 20,000 storyboard was delivered and in September the first sequence went into Production. In February 2002 the 30,000 storyboard was delivered followed by the fourth screening in April and in July the 40,000 storyboard was delivered followed by the fifth screening. In October 2002 they were ready for their first audience preview with the final 43,536 storyboard delivered that same month. The finished film was released in theaters in May 2003.

It was really great to get an insider look at the feature film animation process and get a feel for the whole corporate culture of Pixar Animation Studios.

Many thanks to the guys for making it a fantastic adventure for all.