Welcome!

Welcome to the blog for The Great American Pitchfest. We're overjoyed that we've survived to be celebrating out fifth anniversary(!) and hope friends of the pitchfest can gather here and talk writing, pitching, or whatever.

It is, of course, an exciting time to be an aspiring screenwriter. The ongoing WGA strike has us all confuzzled and flamboozled. And who knows how long it will continue? Who knows what the contract will look like when all is said and done? I tell you this much: Nobody knows.

There has been a mountain of writing on this writers' strike. Irony is so ironic. So I'm not going to go into any depth on it here (Comments and discussion are welcome, however). In a nutshell, scabby is shabby.

We are moving forward with planning The Great American Pitchfest, however. For those who met us at the Screenwriting Expo, we hope you loved the Famous Amos cookies! We really enjoyed meeting all of you, and hope you'll give us a chance. We are extremely proud of the event, not to mention the free classes.

Speaking of free classes, Signe and I are currently finalizing our line-up, and I don't mind telling you it's going to be a very exciting day. Classes with produced screenwriters, writing experts, pitching experts, brainstorming exercises, and a few other surprises are in the works. I can't blab just yet, but once we get signed contracts, we're going to be shakin' it, and you're going to be thrilled to be takin' it.

In the meantime, friends of the Great American Pitchfest have plenty of groovy projects going on:

Pilar Alessandra's podcast is just an amazing way to get a little Alessandra appetizer (but take her classes for the main course). I never miss it... and not just because it's the best way to hear from Pilar without violating the terms of the restraining order (KIDDING!).

Chris Soth's Hollywood By Phone is a tremendous opportunity to hear the latest news and info from some of Hollywood's best. The conference call with the mysterious Strike Captain X was full of valuable info, inspiration, and issues.

Strike Captain X, Racer X, and Malcolm X. Are they related? Thanksgiving at that house would be something to see. "What are you thankful for, Racer?" "Nothing! That accursed Speed Racer has defeated me again!"

Storylink remains the best gathering place for screenwriters on the 'net. The folks at The Writers Store do nothing ever unless it is absolutely the quill. We are proud to work with them, and whole-heartedly endorse Pitch Perfect, their latest endeavor.

The Script Whisperer is just a wonderful, amazing, inspirational friend of ours, and her blog, The Rouge Wave, is a must-visit for any screenwriter or GAPF-friendly writer.

Bookmark this page! We will be constantly updating the blog, inviting guests, having conversations with screenwriting types, talking movies, you name it. And we'd love to hear from you. Email me, or make comments, as much as you like. A subject I hope to discuss next time: Movies about writers or writing. Adaptation, Barton Fink, Sullivan's Travels, Sunset Boulevard, The Player... What's your favorite? What's your least favorite? Why? Write me about movies about writing.

Pencils down.