Just Effing Entertain Me

Just Effing Bulletin Board

Hello everyone!

Another fun weekend of teaching, this time here in LA at the Writers Store! What a great group. I tell ya, I’m like a mother who can’t choose her favorite kid! When I was in Chicago, I was interviewed for a website and the writer asked me what my dream job was and I said this, of course! And it is. I love teaching about my favorite subject in the world. Can you imagine anything better? I can’t.

Had a great conversation with Michael Wiese over the weekend and am so excited about the book! Nobody is more tickled than me to see three years of blog turn into a manuscript and ultimately a book! I never would have thunk it. The book should be released next April or May – boy, if you think waiting to hear back on a SCRIPT takes forever, try the snail’s pace publishing world! I’m so so honored and proud to become a part of Wiese’s publication family. I still can’t believe a whole, real, book is going to have my name on it. Wow. Feels good to have that validation and feeling of completion. We so rarely get that these run-on days, do we? Something we can point to and say that’s DONE? Which probably explains why I like to wash the dishes or fold laundry.

Upcoming Workshops and Travel Plans

I will be teaching in Vancouver on July 31 – August 1. Email Kevin for more information.

I will also be in Portland at the Willamette Writers’ Conference, August 6-8.

Then (deep breath) I’m in Toronto August 14 – 15. Email Daniela for more information.

And then…

In Boston on August 21 – 22 (we need a volunteer coordinator)…

and New York on September 25 – 26 (ditto coordinator)…

and then (you still with me?)…

The Raindance Film Festival on October 2 – 3…

and in London on October 9 – 10 (sign up now Londoners!)…

and then…off to my favorite place in the Middle East for a couple of weeks to catch some sun and relaxation.

Our New UK Office

And in OTHER other news, The Julie-Verse (i.e., The Script Department, The Silver Screenwriting Competition and Just Effing) has opened our first UK office! I’d like to welcome my new partners to the Julie-Verse and am excited to be a presence in the UK and Europe. Hip hip cheerio and all that. I’m very proud.

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!!