Don't Miss Beverly Hills Mixer April 20th

Hi. I'm looking forward to the great pleasure of getting together with you and other cheerful members of ScreenPlayLab like you at our next Beverly Hills mixer. That's Monday, April 20th, 6:30-9:30pm, at Sharky's restaurant. As usual, this event is FREE and food and drink are very inexpensive. Typical crowd is 50 to 100 people. RSVP now at www.screenplaylab.com

ScreenPlayLab mixers are special because everyone is ready to listen, is enthusiastic and has recent success stories to share. It's a tremendously upbeat group of actors, writers, producers and others in the industry who really care. It's where the #1 question asked is, what can I do to help you?

First Free Linux Laptop Given Away...

ScreenPlayLab has given away its first free Linux laptop! A few months back I announced we're accepting donations of obsolete Windows 2000 laptops and loading them with the latest Linux operating system. That's modern software used on practically every every blockbuster action film and feature animation. Linux is used by Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Sony, and many other studios.

ScreenPlayLab is giving away laptops to deserving artists who desperately need a laptop and can't afford one. With included wireless networking cards, these laptops can surf the Internet from any cafe or other location with an open Wi-Fi access point. Wireless access is crucial to homeless artists who are crashing on a friend's couch or sleeping in a warehouse. Being connected is vital to those seeking work and a way forward.

It's taken some work for me to figure out the right configuration to make these old laptops sing. Now that I know how, I have ten more laptops to build. I'm giving away a second free laptop on Friday. I have a third laptop built and will be selecting a recipient for it soon.

Watch for more details here on how to apply to receive a free laptop. If you have an obsolete circa 2000 or better laptop to donate, email me. And, if you know a struggling artist with an obsolete laptop they already own but can't use because it won't run a modern version of Windows or is paralyzed by viruses, I can help.

What Happened at the Pink Slip Party...

What a great event last week that my friend Shaw McPherson hosted at the Crescent Beverly Hills Hotel! The Pink Slip Party is part happy hour and part recruiting fair. It was packed, with over 200 people at the event, many from ScreenPlayLab. I chatted with the head of Paramount recruiting, with recruiters from Fox, and a recruiter from Activision.

The job positions available included Administrative Assistant, Accounting, Finance, Legal, Sales and Marketing, Web/Media, HR, IT, Licensing, and Post Production Services. Several people wrote asking me for a list of company recruiters there:

1K Studios
Activision
Deluxe Digital Studios
E! Entertainment Television
MTV Networks
Paramount Pictures
The Post Group
Shout! Factory
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox
Warner Bros.

Missed it? Put it in your calendar for next time on May 5th. And, don't let the economy discourage you. It's possible to get job interviews. I've interviewed in the past month with Fox and Universal.

Why Hitler Hates Twitter...

Andy Nordvall asked me to pass the word that his Hitler parody is online:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vMUvgce_5s

It's a commentary on the web trend of re-subtitling Hitler based on the movie DOWNFALL. You can also see 24: THE INTERNS at www.MastersofHumility.com. Andy recently had a screenplay option renewed, begin shooting Episode 3 of "Michael Phelps in SWIMKATA!", and is editing a new webseries "NERD TALK".

Women in Film Breakfast April 17th...

Dave Bortman asked me to mention that Women in Film has its Beverly Hills Breakfast, on Friday, April 17th, 8:00 a.m., El Torito Restaurant. Career consultant and former actor David Bowman presents "How To Get a Great Job in Hollywood". $35. (323)935-2211

ScreenPlayLab Mixer April 20th...

ScreenPlayLab has the most fun mixer in Hollywood. Mingle with industry players in all aspects of the business...writers, actors, producers, managers, composers, more. Meet us in the secret back room at Sharky's Mexican Grill. Inexpensive organic Mexican food. $3 margaritas. Sharky's in Beverly Hills near the Paley Center. Park on the street for free or under Crate & Barrel for $3. Sharky's Mexican Grill, The Back Room, 435 N. Beverly Dr. (South of Little Santa Monica), Beverly Hills. 6:30pm-9:30pm. FREE event with RSVP at www.ScreenPlayLab.com

IIFF Film Finance on April 21st...

The Los Angeles chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) presents a Film Financing Townhall in Hollywood. At The Los Angeles Film School, Sunset & Vine. Speakers from the filmmaking and financial industries. $50

http://iiff-townhall-la-rss.eventbrite.com/

Women in Film Monthly Mixer on April 22nd...

Women in Film presents Comedy Central President of Original Programming & Development Lauren Corrao. Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., the Crowne Plaza Hotel. $35. (323)935-2211

Reality Execs Panel on April 27th...

The Caucus presents "The Ins & Outs of Developing, Selling and Producing Your Reality Series". Panelists: America's Funniest Home Videos EP Vin Di Bona, The Gersh Agency Head of Reality Programming Todd Christopher, Last Comic Standing EP Peter Engel, Fox Reality President David Lyle. Moderator: Daily Variety Deputy Editor Cynthia Littleton. 6PM Wine & Cheese Reception. 6:30 PM Panel. CBS Television City, Studio 56, Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax, Artists Entrance, Parking – Artists Entrance. $20. 818.843.7572 www.caucus.org

"More to Love" looking for a man bigger than "The Bachelor"...

Casting producer Bethany Pawlisch asked me to put the word out that she's looking for someone to star in a prime time network TV reality show. From the producers of The Bachelor, a new relationship show "More to Love". Now casting the star of a new reality dating series. Tired of the single life and want to settle down? Is your perfect 10 a voluptuous woman with curves? Seeking America's most large and lovable single guy who is looking for love. Know some who'd be a great star on a prime time TV show? For details on open calls and how to apply: www.kasstinginc.com 323-297-7113

Video Editing and Web Programming...

Need your movie or reel edited? Do you need Perl or Java programming for your website? Email me for special ScreenPlayLab rates.

Work on a Glamorous Website with Robin...

I've gotten so many responses on my request to help me with a small but high profile web design project that I'm rethinking how to manage it. Basically, I'm looking for someone with HTML, Javascript or graphic design skills who needs a quick glam project for the portfolio and would find it fun to work with me. I have so many replies already. Still, if you want to pile on, email me.

Zicree Elite Supermentors class starting May 4th...

Marc Zicree presents Elite Supermentors Class. For one-time only and open to ten hugely motivated students. Taught by the Zicrees and former Sony/Columbia-Tristar SVP of Worldwide Strategic Marketing for Bill Wallen, a legend in the film business who worked directly with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, Tim Burton, Martin Scorcese and virtually all the top filmmakers. Personally designed the posters and was key to the marketing of the first three STAR WARS films, the INDIANA JONES franchise, BATMAN, and the STAR TREK films. Starts May 4, 2009, and will take place six Monday nights from 7-10 PM in West Hollywood. Enrolled students in this class include award-winning feature directors, TV writers who’ve sold series to the networks and bestselling authors. $1,200. (323) 363-1259

Pink Slip Recruiting Party on May 5th...

The Crescent Beverly Hills Hotel presents a mixer with recruiters from the entertainment industry and other industries. 403 N. Crescent Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-247-0505. $5 martinis. First Tuesday of each month. 6pm-8pm. No cover. No RSVP, first come, first served. www.crescentbh.com

ABC Disney Fellowship event on May 17th...

ScreenPlayLab presents ABC Disney Fellowship director Frank Gonzales. This event is packed every year. Last year had 300 people in the audience. ABC Disney has the biggest diversity employment outreach program in the industry. It's a fantastic opportunity for writers and actors to break into the business. Most of the year Frank is busy advancing the careers of fellowship recipients and won't take questions from the public. This event is your opportunity to ask questions about the many ABC Disney fellowship programs, some of which aren't even mentioned on the ABC website. You can also ask questions about job opportunities at ABC Disney and what it's like to work there. Writers who win ABC Disney fellowships get paid to write for a year. Many past fellowship winners have become studio executives. Presentation and lots of Q&A. Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211, May 17th, 2pm-5pm. FREE with RSVP at www.screenplaylab.com

MacHeads Film Screening on May 18th...

MacHEADS The Movie, about Mac users and Mac community that feels so strongly about a computer. Produced by brothers Kobi and Ron Shely using archival footage and interviewing many Mac personalities. www.macheadsthemovie.com Also on YouTube. San Gabriel Valley Macintosh Users Group, Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, 7-9pm. FREE. www.sgvmug.org/meetings www.macheadsthemovie.com and on YouTube.

Advertising at ScreenPlayLab...

Advertising is effective, inexpensive and a tax-deductible business expense. ScreenPlayLab membership and events are free. If you can help support ScreenPlayLab financially, please buy an ad. For rates see:

http://www.screenplaylab.com/buy-sell.html

ScreenPlayLab Mission...

ScreenPlayLab is more than 3,200 producers, actors, writers, directors, agents and executives creating upbeat mass market television and film. FREE membership. FREE events. FREE newsletter of upcoming Hollywood events with good news. To join send an email to info@ScreenPlayLab.com with the subject 'Subscribe'.