Signe Is In the House

Until I can figure out whether it's possible to let us both post to the blog on our own, I convey unto you the first blog entry from the Queen Bee of the Great American Pitchfest (with a "P" and a Bee), Signe Olynyk:

Wow. My first blog. Sounds like something a writer throws up.

I have to admit I’m new to the world of blogging, but I’m quickly becoming an addict. One of my new fave blogs is The Rouge Wave . It’s run by a wonderful woman named Julie Gray – known to most writers as the Script Whisperer. We met Julie recently and are thrilled to announce that she’ll be joining us at this year’s Great American PitchFest as one of the Storylink All-Stars.

The Great American PitchFest is still seven months away, but now is when we are busiest lining up all our speakers, setting the schedule, booking the venues, etc. We are especially excited about our lineup for this year. Michael Hauge, Pilar Alessandra, Linda Seger, Blake Snyder, Viki King – all these wonderful people will be back! In fact, we’ve more than tripled the number of classes this year and are offering a number of sessions that you can only experience at the Great American PitchFest.

We’re also planning to have the REEL LIFE SCREENWRITER series, with experienced and produced screenwriters who can share their experiences and lessons on the craft, and their journeys to become successful, produced writers.

AND

This year, we’re also going to be hosting writing and pitching workshops with the lovely and talented, Pilar Alessandra (Script Consultant ‘On The Page’), and with the legendary Michael Hauge (‘Writing Screenplays That Sell’ & ‘Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds’). These writing intensives are designed to make you really work your material and pitches to make them the best they can be in order to be as prepared as possible for this year’s pitchfest. Seating is limited though, so if you are interested, please check it out at www.pitchfest.com

AND

As always, we want you to tell us if there are classes or specific things you would like to learn. Seriously – is there anything you’ve ever wanted to know more about? Chances are there are others who also want to know. For example, I read the trades but sometimes get bogged down and overwhelmed by the information I read. So I wished that maybe one of the editors of Variety or the Hollywood Reporter would give me a lesson on how to ‘read’ the trades and make the most of the information in there. So we’re designing a class around that. Or, have you wondered what exactly you need to do to get a ‘first look deal’ with a studio or production company? So we’re arranging an article to be written around that.

This is your pitchfest. Help us help you get the most out of it. Email us anytime at info@pitchfest.com.

Thanks, Signe!

And just as a reminder: most of our classes are FREE to anyone who wants to attend, regardless of whether you buy a pass to the Pitchfest.

However, for those who are looking for a little more bang, and have a little more buck, we are offering intensive classes with Pilar Alessandra and Michael Hauge. Go to one (or both) of their classes, and get yourself a hotel room in the newly renovated Burbank Marriott (the rooms are awesome, and seem to be designed to aid you in getting a good night's sleep, or in your plot for world domination).

You will also get yourself a Writers' Survival Pack, with books, software, and other treats. The Survival Pack is valued at more than $200. You get it for free if you sign up now.