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.

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.