ScreenPlayLab

ScreenPlayLab is more than 3,800 upbeat producers, actors, writers, directors, agents and executives helping each other in their careers at studios and networks.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Screenwriter Craig Mazin on June 1st

We've got a fantastic speaker and great workshop reading coming up this Sunday. A few seats are still available. Don't wait!

Print your FREE ticket at www.ScreenPlayLab.com

This Sunday ScreenPlayLab presents screenwriter and blogger Craig Mazin [IMDB]. Craig is best known as a screenwriter for 'Scary Movie 3' and 'Scary Movie 4'. He's currently writing an action comedy for Jerry Bruckheimer and collaborating on a book adaptation with screenwriter Scott Frank. His Artful Writer blog on screenwriting and the workings of the WGA is a must-read for all screenwriters.

Our Workshop Reading is the first 30 pages of the rock drama 'Full On' by Anzu Lawson, about a Japanese-American pop star. Based on a true story. Actors reading follwed by Q&A with audience. Moderated by Robin Rowe. Casting director Gabrielle Pantera. That's 3-4pm. After a short break, it's Craig Mazin from 4 to 5:30pm. An hour of audience Q&A with Craig in an intimate theater. At Raleigh Studios, Hollywood.

ScreenPlayLab Mixer June 2nd Cancelled...

Next week's mixer has been cancelled. I've got jury duty. Our mixer on June 16th is a very special event. It's ScreenPlayLab co-founder Gabrielle Pantera's birthday! RSVP at www.screenplaylab.com

Congratulations Reporters in my Daily News Writers Program...

Pamela Newlands (who's also in my ScreenPlay-in-a-Month program), Hawk Bourne, Brian Frederick, Hillary Layman, and Cliff Broadway have each had stories published in Hollywood Today as participants in my Writers Program.

I congratulate these writers for making it and building a published portfolio with a news daily. Interestingly, the writers who didn't make it didn't fail on writing ability. It was because they couldn't follow instructions to write on assignment.

Unless you're lucky enough to be a television series writer who works in a writers room, journalism is best place to gain experience writing on assignment. It's a fantastic learning experience. Participants commit to writing a least one 650-word story a week based on press notes, recorded field reporter interviews, and other sources. If you'd like to write feature stories or film reviews for a news daily, email me.

You may not know Hollywood Today, but Google News does. Hollywood Today stories routinely make the front page of Google News where they're exposed to 58 million readers.

Screenplay-in-a-Month for $299...

Screenplay-in-a-Month (SIAM) is my program to help procrastinators get a screenplay done. There are many great workshops for screenwriters in Hollywood, but I noticed that none of them make the objective to deliver a screenplay. SIAM is different. The first week we'll scene card your screenplay (yes, even if you have no idea what you want to write). The following three weeks you write one act a week as I act as cheerleader and coach. All personalized instruction. More info at www.screenplaylab.com

Other Exciting Events Not in the News...

I've been so busy with the Writers Program and Screenplay-in-a-Month that I've fallen behind on listing local events and other info here. Sorry about that. Will catch up next week if I'm not pushed behind by jury duty.

ScreenPlayLab Mission

ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,600 upbeat filmmakers, actors and writers working on comedy and light drama. Dozens of artists have signed agent representation through ScreenPlayLab networking. There are no membership dues and events are free. To join send an email to info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.

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Monday, May 19, 2008

Free screening with Will Ferrell on Memorial Day

As executive producer of COMEDY WALK, I'm excited to tell you that FREE TICKETS are now available for the MTV Movie Awards screening of the Paramount Vantage film THE FOOT FIST WAY with special guest appearances by Will Ferrell, Danny McBride and Jody Hill. On the Paramount lot on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, 5pm.

Please don't write me to RSVP. Go to www.comedywalk.com and follow the link to the theater reservation system to print your ticket.

Tickets generously provided to COMEDY WALK by Paramount Vantage and MTV. Limited number of tickets available. Theater will be overbooked to ensure a full house. Arrive early.

COMEDY WALK on June 12th...


Comedy performers from comedy clubs, television and radio appear at COMEDY WALK to promote comedy and downtown Los Angeles. COMEDY WALK is the largest monthly comedy show in Los Angeles and a Los Angeles Times "Best Bet". Second Thursday of each month, next on June 12th. FREE tickets at www.comedywalk.com

Thank you WARBIRDS...

Thank you to WARBIRDS producer Bill Greenblatt and stars Jamie Mann and Tohoru Masamune for screening their SCI FI Channel film and joining us for Q&A. Thank you Michael S. Hall and Bob Nuchow of the Wilshire Screening Room for making the screenings possible.

ScreenPlayLab Mission...

ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,600 upbeat film and television creators
helping each other succeed. Dozens of artists have signed agent
representation through ScreenPlayLab networking. There are no membership
dues and events are free. To join send an email to
info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.

Love you guys!

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

WARBIRDS encore screening tonight

We had a fantastic screening last night with WARBIRDS stars Jamie Mann and Tohoru Masamune and producer Bill Greenblatt. We have an encore screening tonight. The film looks fantastic in HDCAM-SR 2k digital projection. WARBIRDS is a SKY CAPTAIN WORLD OF TOMORROW type of fantasy with dinosaurs like JURASSIC PARK. Last call! Just a few seats left. RSVP by following the link at www.ScreenPlayLab.com.

New Journalists Wanted for Hollywood Today...

Who wants to be a film journalist and see films in advance for free? I was promoted to film editor at Hollywood Today a couple weeks ago, which makes me a managing editor. While I don't have any budget to hire new reporters, I do have access to advance screenings and other perks. Screenings are in Hollywood or New York City.

ScreenPlayLab members Hillary Layman and W.H. Bourne are my first reporters to have their film stories published in Hollywood Today. It's very difficult to break in as a published film reviewer, and I'm excited for them.

When I mentioned at a recent ScreenPlayLab event that I'm looking for reporters who want to break into film journalism, many writers volunteered. Unfortunately, their contact info is now buried in the one thousand recent emails now in my inbox. If that's you, or you wish it was, send me an email that says, "I want to write for at Hollywood Today", with a little writing bio about you.

By the way, those thousand emails waiting for me are not spam. If you ask a question and I don't respond within a few days that probably means it's scrolled past. Eventually I will go back, but if it's more urgent it's ok to remind me.

I cover not only film, also books, music, technology, celebrities, politics and fashion. Many who know me were shocked to see me covering Fashion Week, interviewing the designers on the runway. I can break in reporters in all areas, not just film.

The "I'm Robin's New Best Friend" Contest...


Paramount Vantage is a sponsor of my show COMEDY WALK (www.comedywalk.com). We're giving away tickets to the Paramount celebrity MTV Awards screening of THE FOOT FIST WAY. Will Ferrell will be there and others. That's happening on Memorial Day on the Paramount lot. I'm going to announce soon how to get those tickets, which will be first come, first serve. But, there's more.

Who wants a VIP ticket? I have a few VIP tickets that are closer to the stars, specially taped off for me and my friends. I've got a lot more friends than tickets, so what am I to do? How about a contest where I give VIP tickets to friends who offer the most interesting or creative proof of their friendship? I hope everyone views this in a sense of fun. There are no rules. I'll pick the best. Note the best offers will be published.

If you'd like a chance at a VIP ticket, send me an email that explains in about 20 words how you'll become my new best friend.

ScreenPlayLab Mission...

ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,500 upbeat film and television creators helping each other succeed. Dozens of artists have signed agent representation through ScreenPlayLab networking. There are no membership dues and events are free. To join send an email to info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

SCI FI WARBIRDS Screenings May 12th and 13th

Join me for a private screening of the SCI FI movie WARBIRDS with stars and filmmakers.

Don't miss ScreenPlayLab's HD digital screening of WARBIRDS, a SCI FI Channel original feature film, with producer Bill Greenblatt and stars Jamie Mann and Tohoru Masamune, in the intimate 43-seat Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills. Expect it to fill quickly! RSVP now at
www.screenplaylab.com

I recently interviewed WARBIRDS star Jamie Mann for an article in Hollywood Today. The charming beauty, from CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, likes performing strong female roles as she does in WARBIRDS.

Producer Bill Greenblatt is a long-time ScreenPlayLab member. Bill also produced the SCI FI asteroid movie TARGET EARTH and the ABC Television atomic bomb movie NIGHTBREAKER with Martin Sheen.

WARBIRDS is a SKY CAPTAIN WORLD OF TOMORROW type of fantasy with dinosaurs like JURASSIC PARK. In the final days of World War II, a group of female WASP aviators are forced down on an island in Pacific where they encounter Japanese soldiers and pterodactyls. WARBIRDS was shot in Louisiana in 15 days with a budget under $2 million.

Meet the stars and filmmakers at 9pm. Screening 10pm. RSVP for Monday, May 12th, or Tuesday May 13th. Wilshire Screening Room. 8670 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills. Limited seating. Get tickets while you can.

Theatrical projection in stunning 2k digital from Sony HDCAM-SR. Special thanks to the Wilshire Screening Room, Michael S. Hall, and Bob Nuchow.

Big Thank You for the Condolence Notes...


Thank you for the hundreds of emails of support! Today is my first Mother's Day without my Mom. ScreenPlayLab is such a loving group of people! I'm lucky to know you.

Thank You to Everyone who Helped at COMEDY WALK Last Week...

What a great night! If you weren't at my COMEDY WALK show downtown last Thursday, you really missed it. A fantastic line-up of more than 25 successful comedy performers from comedy clubs, radio and television. A big thank you to casting director Gabrielle Pantera for selecting such great talent. Thank you to associate producer Hillary Layman, a ScreenPlayLab member.

Thank you to COMEDY WALK hosts Ashley McCarthy, Melody Murray, Gabrielle Pantera for Gosh! TV, Pia Smith, Lisa Straussberg, and Mary Walker. Thank you to show camera operators Orly Arava and Hillary Layman. Thank you to show wranglers Kim Boyle, Kady Douglas, James A. Eiland, and Brian Frederick.

I got so many ScreenPlayLab responses to my last-minute call for a replacement COMEDY WALK host that I couldn't respond to them all. I'll try to get back to you all. I appreciate everyone who was ready to pitch in to help. You guys are the greatest!

If you'd like to be a show wrangler or camera operator for COMEDY WALK next month on June 12th, email me.

www.comedywalk.com

ScreenPlayLab Mission...


ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,500 upbeat film and television creators helping each other succeed. Dozens of artists have signed agent representation through ScreenPlayLab networking. There are no membership dues and events are free. To join send an email to info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.

Love you guys!

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Hottest Comedians L.A. May 8th

COMEDY WALK is the biggest monthly comedy event in Los Angeles. Now in its fifth month running, Thursday, May 8th, 2008. A Los Angeles Times "Best Bet". A Hollywood Today selection. PLEASE PASS THE WORD ALONG!

HOW MUCH: FREE TICKETS at www.comedywalk.com.

WHEN: Thursday, May 8th, 2008, 8:30pm to 10pm, 2nd Thursday each month.

WHAT: COMEDY WALK is the biggest comedy walk event in the world, a family-friendly show.

WHO: Each month COMEDY WALK presents 25 of the hottest upbeat comedy acts in Los Angeles selected from comedy clubs, television and radio.

WHERE: The New Los Angeles Theatre Complex, 504 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, and 5 other nearby downtown locations. Six simultaneous 90-minute shows. Neighborhood parking $6 or free on the street.

WHY: See your favorite hottest comedians all in one night. Join thousands of people flocking to the streets of L.A. the second Thursday of each month.

Featured performers this month are Stevie Mack, Gayla Johnson and Laurie McDermott. Stevie Mack has performed at Last Comic Standing, BET, Comedy Central, UPN, and SpikeTV. Gayla Johnson has performed at The HaHa, Comedy Store, the Improv, Ice House, B.E.T, Comedy Central, and SiTV. Laurie McDermott has performed at HBO Comic Relief and Lifetime TV Mom Comics.

COMEDY WALK PERFORMERS - FULL LIST

1. Abel Arias - a regular on "The Cathy Lewis Show" www.abelarias.com
2. Philip Bach - The HaHa. www.jointhecrew.org
3. Jackie "Fabulous" Champagnie - Downtown Comedy Club, Laugh Factory, Ice House www.myspace.com/jackiechampagnie
4. Jamal Doman - BET, ComicView, SiTV, Latino Laugh Festival, The Magic Hour, Showtime, At the Apollo. www.jamaldoman.com
5. Dan Dominguez - Verizon Network www.funconsuming.com
6. Jason Dudey - Hosts GaysRUs at the Hollywood Improv. www.jasondudey.com
7. Christy Eidson - Southern fried humor. www.christyeidson.com
8. Shereen Faltas - Ice House, the Improv, Comedy Store. www.shereenfaltas.com
9. Nick Hoff - Comedy Uniion, Hollywood Improv, Ice House Annex. www.myspace.com/nicholasmckain
10. Jeffrey Isaak - The HaHa, Comedy Store, the Improv. www.myspace.com/comedyfreek
11. Gayla Johnson - The HaHa, Comedy Store, the Improv, Ice House, B.E.T, Comedy Central, SiTV. www.GaylaJohnson.net
12. Andy Konigsmark - Ice House Annex. www.andykonigsmark.com
13. Stevie Mack - Last Comic Standing, BET, Comedy Central, UPN, SpikeTV. www.steviemack.com
14. Madd Marv - Funny guy
15. Laurie McDermott - HBO Comic Relief and Lifetime TV Mom Comics. www.lauriemcdermott.com
16. Dave Mishevitz - Comedy Store. www.myspace.com/daveiscomedy
17. Tim Powers - has shared the stage with Sean Young and Chris Rock www.timisfunny.com
18. Alishia Simmons - from Newark, earthy comedy.
19. Ron Swallow - www.myspace.com/ronswallow
20. Mike Truesdale - Hollywood Improv, the HaHa Cafe. www.myspace.com/mikeiscoolerthanyourmom
21. Willis Turner - www.myspace.com/willisturner1
22. Scott Vinci - guitar comedy. Will Ferrell's www.funnyordie.com.
23. Tara Walden - Rocky's, Ice House Annex www.myspace.com/tarawalden
24. Joe Wilson - www.JoeWilsonComedy.com
25. Bill Word - National Lampoon Comedy Radio. www.killerkomedy.com

COMEDY WALK promotes comedy, downtown, and diversity.

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Saturday, May 03, 2008

As My Mom Would Have Wanted

My brother Ron called this morning to let me know that Mom passed away sometime before 5:30am this morning. When I spoke to Mom last night on the phone she was uncomfortable and too weak to do anything unaided. When I asked, she told me that she didn't like to tell me her troubles. She never spoke of her own concerns.

Everyone loved my Mom. She was always ready to listen intently to anyone. Everyone who met her cherished her. She's the kindest person I ever knew. She was a better person than I deserved to have as my Mom. I was never as good at putting others first and listening in tranquility. My Mom had the self-control to never say a harsh word, something I'm still learning.

My Mom loved her four boys more than anything. My Dad had passed away more than a decade ago. Mom and Dad courted while working together as journalists at the home town newspaper, which my Mom's grandfather founded. My Mom wrote the society page. My Dad was a farm journalist and a farmer. My parents were active in forming the natural foods movement in the 1950s, long before organic was fashionable or even called organic. Our family farm is the largest organic farm in the Midwest.

Mom's father was a doctor and got the farm as his place in country. Mom loved the farm so much that she married a farmer. When younger, she kept many horses and ponies there, which brought her joy and won many ribbons and trophies. I grew up with the horses and miss them. It's hard to comprehend how long ago that was, growing up on the farm and out doing things with my Mom.

In her last years, my brother Ron took care of Mom on the farm, for which I'm very grateful. Over the years she became weaker and older, which caused her distress. She didn't like not being able to do for herself and couldn't fathom being old. Mom passed away on the family farm in Illinois, which is where she wished to be when she died.

My Mom missed her friends who she'd outlived and didn't look forward to being a year older. In two weeks my Mom would have been 93. My Mom had the same name as her mother, Charlotte, but was called Barbara. Her mother also lived to her nineties, and as I recall she also passed away shortly before her birthday.

My Mom was born at her father's house on May 16, 1915, in Decatur, Illinois. Her sister Cecile passed away many years ago. My Aunt Cecile was also an amazingly kind woman and did a lot for me. Her brother Nelson, a doctor, passed away many years ago. My Mom was active in the community as a president of Study Class, a ladies group that studies foreign countries. She was the president of the local Audubon society. She was president of the local Girl Scouts.

Her four sons are Jack, Ron, Larry and myself. Jack is in real estate in New Iberia, Louisiana. Ron runs the family farm. Larry is the set designer at a nearby college theater department in Illinois.

Everyone who knew her will miss my Mom. In keeping with my family's philosophy of not making a show of personal troubles, I don't expect there to be a ceremony. My family is very private that way. My Mom was ready to go. She left her body to science. My Mom would want things to go on as normal.

ScreenPlayLab will go forward tomorrow as planned.

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Pierce Brosnan exec on May 4th

There are many changes from our typical procedures for this Sunday's event. Please read the following carefully.

ScreenPlayLab presents Audience Q&A with Irish DreamTime executive Chris Charalambous. IDT is Pierce Brosnan's production company and currently in pre-production for "The Thomas Crown Affair 2" with MGM. IDT is known for such movies as "The Matador" and "Laws of Attraction" and has many films in development.

Our venue is an intimate 42-seat theater at Raleigh Studios. As usual, our event is FREE. I expect this event to fill instantly. RSVP online at www.ScreenPlayLab.com. Do not email me to RSVP unless there's a problem.

Important Information...

Do not try to contact our speaker directly. It can get you banned by ScreenPlayLab and the studio. Do not bring any materials to pitch. Do come prepared to learn how to approach a celebrity production company (it's hard) and to hear entertaining stories of life in the fast lane.

Heightened Security...

For this Sunday's event it will be necessary to present picture ID at the studio gate and to be on our RSVP list. If you didn't receive an email RSVP confirmation today, you're not on the list. The RSVP system has been upgraded. If you RSVP now, you will print a paper ticket instead of receiving an emal. Don't RSVP twice if you already got an email confirmation. You'll throw off our count.

Revised Schedule...

For this event our normal schedule is reversed. The speaker is on first, then my workshop. Networking starts at 2:30pm. No admittance before 2:30pm. Featured Speaker 3-4:20pm with Chris Charalambous. Sunday, May 4th, 2008.

Scene Card Workshop...

Audience Participation Workshop 4:30-5:15pm with Robin Rowe. Scene cards are a great way to write down your story beats quickly and to keep on track when writing on a deadline. Learn how many scene cards to create and what goes on them. We'll scene card suggested story ideas from the audience.

Location...

Raleigh Studios
Enter at Van Ness Gate
5300 Melrose Avenue (across from Paramount)
Hollywood, California
Free parking available on the street
Parking on the lot, if available, costs $5
Smoking is not permitted at any ScreenPlayLab event

ScreenPlayLab Mission...

ScreenPlayLab is more than 2,500 upbeat film and television creators helping each other succeed. To join ScreenPlayLab send an email to info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.

Love you guys!

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