Just Effing Entertain Me

I Left My Heart in Chicago!

I figure I get to say that, being that I left my heart in San Francisco a very long time ago, along with like a case of Rice-a-Roni. Truly, Chicago is a spectacular town (the lake! the bean! the people! the food!) and I cannot wait to come back. Many thanks to the wonderful folks at Columbia College – I am now a lifelong fan! – and also to the incomparable Linda Frothingham, who is one of the smartest, kindest, funniest, most talented ladies I have ever had the privilege to meet.

Just preparing to leave Chicago after the wonderful two day workshop and I have to say I love each of my classes even more than the last if that is humanly possible! Chicagoans work HARD, let me tell you! We had such fun learning about the Ménage à Flaw and using the Dire Dozen and I beamed with pride as I watched nascent loglines and ideas blossom into really compelling, unique loglines. It is an incredible privilege to work with such smart people and see such talent in the Windy City.

I am teaching in Los Angeles at the Writers Store this upcoming weekend, April 24th and 25th, so if you live in the area, sign on up.

A few of the (millions) of things we discussed over the course of the weekend were the most common mistakes among very new screenwriters:

1) unoriginal ideas

2) being too nice to the main character resulting in not enough conflict

3) cluttered page work

Referring to number two – many new writers secretly very strongly identify with their main character – to the point that they are a bit in love with that character and don’t allow bad things to happen to them. In my workshops I stress the arc of your character, who, on page one, starts off as a flawed person who is not very self-reflective, and metamorphoses by page 100 into someone who is much more balanced and reflective – on SOME level – might be a profound shift, might be a subtle but significant one. But your character is changed at the end of the script.

So I tell writers – don’t fall in love with who your character is on page one – fall in love with who they will become on page 100. If you fall in love with or otherwise too closely identify with your character on page one, you won’t be willing to really put them through their paces in the script. Which will result in a flat script with no conflict.

So give that some thought today.

Chicago Workshop – Seats are Going FAST!

Just a quick reminder that I will be in Chicago this very weekend, teaching the Idea to the Page to the Screen two-day workshop! Seats are going really fast – there’s been a ton of publicity and of course Chicago Women in Film do get a very nice discount (you’re WELCOME, girls!!).

I’m very excited to go to Chicago – I’ve never been! And already the suggestions are pouring in for great places for dinner and drinks. I’ve always heard great stuff about Chicago and I’m only sorry I can’t spend more time there! If anyone wants to join for drinks after class on Saturday, let me know! I made such nice friends in New York and in England – I love me some good company!

Chicago Workshop

Regular price $200.00 Chicago/Hollywood discount $159.99 One day only $100.00

Synopsis Competition

Hello Effers! I’m posting a lot today, forgive me! So much to communicate, so little time!

I came across this competition today in my email inbox and I thought it was really neat and wanted to pass it along to you: It’s the Reno Film Festival Synopsis competition. The deadline is May 15th so be synopsis-ready. I think it such a neat idea I’ll probably emulate it here on Just Effing one of these days!

My friend and colleague Pilar Alessandra is also teaching an intensive course in Reno on Sunday, June 13 and I highly encourage you to go. PIlar is one amazing lady from whom I have learned a lot!

Script Frenzy

Hello, everybody!

My life is so weird. I just looked out the window here on the Lot and somebody walked by with a limp crash test dummy. Then, moments later, Angela Kinsey of “The Office” walked by primly.  I’m waiting for the Eveready Bunny to make an appearance.

The beautiful, warm, gorgeous weekend approaches and I want to encourage all of you to SPEND IT INSIDE getting your Script Frenzy on! This is a really neat, crazy chance to really write your fingers to the bone.

What does mama always say? The secret to writing is WRITING! Wait, I didn’t say that, the Writers Boot Camp says that. Of which I am an alum. Ha! Six degrees of separation, there you go.

As a reminder, Effers who live in Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area or the Los Angeles area, you can sign up and take my Just Effing workshop on the following:

Chicago: Saturday & Sunday April 17th/18th at Columbia College

Los Angeles: Saturday & Sunday April 24/25th at The Writers Store (sign up here)

San Francisco: Saturday and Sunday, May 1st/2nd site TBA.\

Email Naomi if you are interested in signing up for any of these locations. ‘Course, I’ll be in Nashville and Vancouver this summer, so mark your calendar if you live in either of those areas.

I do need some help publicizing the event in all three locations so if you’d like a free admission to the course, please contact me ASAP. Did I say FREE ADMISSION. Yes, I did. 4 rlz.

Just Effing Workshops

Good morning, everyone! So I’m finally back from my travels, very much inspired and renewed by the fantastic students I encountered along the way. What fun we had, in every group, every time. It was the first time I have taught the Ménage à Flaw and the WWYD question and the Theme Finder, and the reaction of the students was phenomenal. In fact, London has started up the first ever Just Effing writing group! I feel like a proud mother! You guys KNOW I will come visit, right?

Speaking of proud mother, here are just a very few of the comments I received:

Julie knocked my socks off in terms of content, skills and tools and such a great attitude. A wealth of information and so inspiring! – R.D.

Excellent workshop – probably the best I’ve ever taken on the subject of screenwriting. – C.L.

The class simplified the art of structure (my biggest weakness) greatly for me, so if anyone else struggles with the same issue, I’d recommend! – C.C.

This was a great weekend that stripped away the pretentious analysis of screenwriting, focusing on SIMPLE, PRACTICAL ADVICE. Very refreshing…The pitching exercises and advice about breaking into Hollywood were frank and realistic too. – G.P.

Two days is too short! I wanted more! – C.D.

A well-encompassing, meaningful, intensive refresher that allowed me to refocus and really concentrate on my script. – D.B.

I really enjoyed the weekend with Julie. She is friendly and passionate about what she is doing. She made me dream again about the scripts I had shelved. – V.M.

Julie, you are a gifted teacher who conveys information with clarity and enthusiasm. I also like how you encourage without setting people up with completely unrealistic expectations.  – M.R.

Julie rocks! I feel SO inspired to create and I feel lucky to have benefited from her enthusiasm and wisdom! – R.S.

Julie is an energetic and positive advocate for the writer and offered solutions for problems that are practical and easy to use. – J.H.

I liked getting a packet to bring back and work with afterwards as well as one-on-one feedback. I came with actually feeling that I accomplished some progress on my script this weekend. – A.A.

This workshop was top notch! Julie helps strengthen the skills of the new screenwriter. This was definitely a heavenly experience!! – B.A.

Don’t forget there are classes coming up on April 17th and 18th in Chicago, April 24th and 25th in LA (at the Writers Store) and May 1st and 2nd in San Francisco. Classes are filling up rather quickly and the price is OH so right – $200 for both days. So if you’re interested, better sign up ASAP to get a spot.

Chicago!

I am looking for someone (or ideally a couple of someones) who’d like to be our on-the-ground workshop coordinator(s) in Chicago. If you are plugged in to the screenwriting community, if you’re good at PR, if you enjoy free stuff like, for one, the entire weekend workshop, then please email Naomi and sign up now!

Bristol

Good morning, Effers! Again I find myself with a very full day and to be truthful, feeling more than a tad under the weather. I haven’t had a quiet, restful day in London yet. You know how it is when you travel – so many obligations and so many things to see. I think you’d have to sit on me to get me to stay still in London. Much more on that topic another time. I can see I need a day of rest and it looks like it may be enforced by the little tiny germs making a conga line in my chest right now.

What a lovely train ride and visit to the University there in Bristol yesterday! We had a very full class and because we only had one hour, did a very Planet Earthy swoop over the machinations of Hollywood and the vital importance of STORY that underlies it all. What a great, participatory, smart and enthusiastic group of students! Many heartfelt thank yous to Abigail Davies, the generous, warm and super smart teacher of the class and producer of many a short film! It was a pleasure and an honor and I hope to be back teaching there again!

Had an amazing evening with student Oliver Purches, who is highly involved in the film community in Bristol, and of course our very own Kodjo, who is always a delight. There appears to be some serious talent in Bristol which is a real hub of creativity and coolness. Had dinner at The Pie Minister which was delicious. Bristol seems the place to be in West England.

Received MILLIONS of paramount, agent jelly fish entries and will post the top three much later today when I can. Thanks to everybody who participated! Stay tuned.

p.s. Minty mashed peas (YUM) beef pie at the Pie Minister (YUM) jellied ham (um. WHA-?).

p.p.s. Keep Calm and Eat More Pies. Indeed.

The Accidental Tourist

Went to Hogwarts – I mean Oxford yesterday. How incredibly cold and lovely and historic. There are no words for seeing Christ Church College or the Bridge of Sighs and the pubs and students in black gowns on their bikes. I will say that the Robert Pattinson, big, poufy, bed-head hair is QUITE the rage in Oxford. No shaved heads or goatees here. All young Hugh Grant types with pink cheeks and books tucked under their arms. Had a very nice interview with a journalist in the drawing room of the Randolph Hotel (fancy!) and did a nice talk at the Oxford Union on the reality of breaking into Hollywood. I find that the Brits are most interested in and appreciative of the Hollywood viewpoint.

One of my London students even blogged about the weekend workshop!

Today is the first day I get a chance to do some touring and take in more of London though I have been squired around Soho, Regent Street and Picadilly by a certain handsome, blue-eyed British gent which was more than lovely and in itself enough reason to visit London much more often.

I am not sure whether British men realize how devastating they are. What if there were a romcom in which the main (male) character learned different accents in order to get girls but then had to carry through and pretend he WAS from wherever…Is that enough to get an idea started for anybody? See, who loves ya? Throwin’ you a softball idea. I think there’s merit to it.

I do suffer from a certain amount of fear of heights (which appeared inexplicably later in life) so I will report back whether going on the London Eye is a horrible or exquisite experience. Off to meet Daniel at the Leicester Square tube stop so we can go see the changing of the guard!

More later!

Now get back to work.

London Calling

Good morning, everyone! It’s quite the opposite of morning here in London, being 10:30pm and all. The second day of the workshop went very well and we all had such fun! And the pub gave us tea and cake as our afternoon break. Now that is civilized! What a lovely group of students – a bit larger than the New York class but every bit as wonderful! And one of my students, lovely Daniel, has volunteered to go with me on the Eye of London ferris wheel thing this Tuesday! And to see the changing of the guard! How sweet is that? How lucky am I?

One of my students this weekend was the lively and intelligent Sabina Sattar – the winner of the UK short script competition with her script SAMURAI! Sabina is a gifted writer and a great workshop participant – congratulations, Sabina!

Tomorrow it’s off to Oxford for an interview at the Randolph Hotel, which sounds quite nice, then a lecture at the university at 7pm. That charity lecture to benefit Chile has sold out, so I am told. I am also told that Oxford is one of the most picturesque, stunning, historical places in England and I’m just falling over myself that I am actually lecturing there tomorrow. Unbelievable. Listen up kids – dreams DO come true.

I am pleased to say that so far, to a one, every student has really loved the Ménage à Flaw, Dire Dozen and WWYD tools. To a one. That pleases me more than I can say. One more workshop here in the UK before I head off for some nice, warm Middle Eastern SUN. Whoever said it’s cold in London in the winter lied – it’s FREEZING!!

Chile Benefit

I’m sure we’re all aware of the terrible devastation in Chile. Living in earthquake country myself, I am doing two things to aid in the relief effort: 1) sending my first born son there to help* and 2) giving a benefit lecture at Oxford University.

The topic of the lecture is The Reality of Breaking into Hollywood: Agents, Managers, Producers and the Importance of STORY. This is a great opportunity for students to get a bite-sized lecture on screenwriting while making a donation to the relief efforts in Chile.

If you’d like to drop by, it’s from 7pm to 8:30pm at Oxford University, Monday March 8th. RSVP to Naomi if you’re interested.

Tickets to the lecture cost what you can spare.

All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

*My son is volunteering at various organizations in Central America but is packing his bags as we speak.