Your Tri-Annual Update

If one were to look at this blog (unlikely) and see how long it has been since I last wrote, one might think I’ve been just sitting around, doing a lot of nothing. One would be wrong. It’s not that I’m lazy, I’m just very, very bad at blogging.

Thankfully, a number of projects have kept me busy since my last post - work (gettin’ paid) and personal (doin’ the paying).

The Day Job
Six years ago when I started as a business writer for a local insurance company, I asked if I could upgrade their internal video production efforts (basically a flip cam and a wired lav.) Last year my long-term goal of making that my primary role came to be, and now we have an official video production department.

As our first video production specialist I get to create some pretty fun stuff, some of which you can see in the “Corporate” area of this site. Here you can also see some freelance projects I’ve done for a little extra cash.

On the House
I’ve participated in over a dozen short film contests but only a few in my hometown, and none for a couple of years. Turns out that was long enough to forget just how much work goes into one, and that the key to success is often a good, LARGE group of people.

For the 2019 IFP Breakout Challenge I gathered a team of 9, and it turns out that still left a little too much for me as I ended up writing, acting, directing, and editing. Despite that, and the fact we shot the entire damn thing during one 8-hour day, I was pretty happy with the result, which you can view in the “Films” section of this site.

RobCom
Here’s a conversation I had not long ago with a fellow writer…

Another Rob: Hey, how would you like to start a comedy YouTube channel and try to make some money?
Me: Sounds fun, but I don’t know about the money thing. There’s a lot of competition.
AR: There’s one I watch by this girl and she’s got like a million followers. *sends link*
Me: *watches* She’s a former Playboy Playmate.
AR: So?
Me: She could read the phone book* and she’d have a million followers.
AR: …
Me: Fine it’s not like I couldn’t use the practice.

Shortly thereafter RobCom was born, and we recently hit the 50 video mark. One of which you can see in the “Films” section of this site.

Still just a little under a million followers though. This could be the year. *crosses fingers*

* Google it, millennials.

Writing
Unfortunately, nothing new to note here. Still looking for a buyer for “Lift” - a screenplay I wrote with Andy Wagner about mammoths, the woolly kind. Also toying with some other story ideas but writing a screenplay takes A LOT of time and energy. Try it sometime.

I will take this time to give a shout out to the Phoenix Screenwriters Association. If you have any interest in writing (screenplays or other) and live in the greater PHX area, you could do a lot worse than dropping a measly $40 on membership dues. With all sorts of classes and events, they make it easy to get your money’s worth. And like I’ve always said, if you’re not writing, you’re wronging.

From Mammoths to Music - the Journey Continues

As I've mentioned before, this business is not for the thin skinned. I've completed two projects over the last year, both of which now find themselves in the same boat - waiting for a buyer.

The first was a feature length screenplay called Lift which I wrote with the talented writer Andy P. Wagner. This action/adventure story based on actual events follows a paleobiologist from a small, northeastern university as she tries to extract the heaviest woolly mammoth that's ever been found from the harsh climate of Siberia, using the largest helicopter that's ever been produced.

Needless to say it's a considerable challenge for our hero Patricia, and she faces a number of demons - both external and internal - on her quest. Does she make it? If we can get a studio to make it you'll find out.

The second project is a new TV show that combines the popularity of travel shows with the passion of live music. FestQuest, which as of today you can read more about here, takes viewers to a different music festival each episode and gives them an exclusive backstage pass so they can learn everything they need to know before they go. Type of music, how to get there, lodging options, food/drink, family-friendly or adults only, ticket prices and more.

Everyone I've talked to loves the concept behind FestQuest. But, as the saying goes, this and $3 will get you a cup of coffee. We've only just started promoting it so who knows what will happen. I believe in the project and think it can be profitable. I just need to get someone else to think that too. Fingers crossed and what not.

Special thanks to the FestQuest crew - Brock Sherman, Rachel Hroncich, Seth Reber and Lynn Ehmann for everything they did to get us this far. I couldn't have asked for a better group.

More special thanks to CJ Ryan and the crew at the Deep Roots Mountain Revival for letting us roam around their event pretty much unchecked and get our festival feet wet. Many times during the weekend part of me wished I wasn't working and could just enjoy the festival like those around me - and man were they enjoying it. It's a special event held at a special place. If you're anywhere close to Marvin's Mountaintop the weekend of July 20-22 I highly recommend checking it out.

Mammoths, music, making a go of it. Even if nothing comes of any of this - and god I hate typing that - it's been a hell of a ride. Thanks for reading.

Knowing What You Don't Know

I've been at this screenwriting thing for close to ten years. I've attended numerous classes, lectures, seminars, workshops, etc. I've read numerous books, articles, and blog posts. Despite this, in no way, shape or form do I consider myself anything close to an 'expert'.

Writing for the big screen is a tricky thing. Hollywood legend William Goldman probably said it best, “Nobody knows anything...... Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess and, if you're lucky, an educated one.”

Despite this, writers would be foolish not to try to improve their skills, hone their craft, learn from those who have gone before them. That said, you have to approach any opportunity with some degree of caution. Whenever I hear of an educational opportunity the first thing I do is check the background of the person leading it. Have they done anything to grant them expert status? Too often the answer is 'no.'

This is not the case with a seminar coming to Phoenix next month. The Screenwriter's Breakthrough Weekend, to be held August 13-14 at the Phoenix Airport Marriott, is being led by someone who has walked the walk. Jeff Schimmel has been working in LA as a writer and producer for more than 25 years.

I've attended a handful of Jeff's classes in the past - Phoenix writers have been the beneficiary of Jeff having family here and therefore frequent visits. I keep going for one reason. I always learn something new. Always.

Jeff is known for being brutally honest. Some people don't like this. I mentioned before that I'm not an expert but I know one thing - if you can't handle harsh realities about how incredibly hard it is to achieve success in this brutally competitive industry then you are in for a very disappointing, probably very short career.

Two days in August - one for writers of all levels interested in creating story for the big screen, the other for accomplished writers with at least one finished script. I have no doubt that both days will be eye-opening, enlightening and hopefully inspiring. If you're reading this, and you write, you should attend.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1749989991908475/