Summer Workshop in Italy

Friend and colleague from UCLA, Paul Chitlik, now a clinical assistant professor at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television, holds a residential writing seminar in Europe every summer. This year, the seminar is in Cairo Montenotte, Italy.

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April 2012 Ullensvang Hotel – Film Summit

Many ferries ply the smooth waters of Norway's fjords. In some remote communities the ferries are the only links to the outside world.
Many ferries ply the smooth waters of Norway’s fjords. In some remote communities the ferries are the only links to the outside world.
Preparing to board the ferry. It will turn out to be a five hour trip through some of the most magnificent scenery imaginable. The pictures that follow don't do it justice!
Preparing to board the ferry. It will turn out to be a five hour boat trip through some of the most magnificent scenery imaginable. The pictures that follow don’t do the landscape justice!

 

Pulling away from Bergen on the ferry. The charming town seen from the water.
Pulling away from Bergen on the ferry. The charming and friendly town as seen from the water.

 

 

Other boat plying the fjord. Water traffic is a key mode of transport for goods, materials, and people.
Other boats plying the fjord. Water traffic is a key mode of transport for goods, materials, and people.

 

Passed lots of lovely homes and farms located in sparse settlements along the fjord.
Passed lots of lovely homes and farms located in sparse settlements along the fjord.

 

Wind-blown on the deck of the ferry. Gorgeous day but very windy!
Wind-blown on the deck of the ferry. Gorgeous day but very windy!

 

 

Snow capped mountains and glaciers lining the fjord.
Snow capped mountains and glaciers lining the fjord along the ferry route.

 

 

Up close snowy mountains seen from the ferry deck.
Up close snowy mountains seen from the ferry deck.

 

 

Balcony off my hotel room at Ullensvang and one view of fjord. I had almost a 360 view of mountains and fjord.
Balcony off my hotel room at Ullensvang and one view of fjord. I had almost a 360 view of mountains and fjord from my very beautiful room.

 

 

Another mountain view from my room window.
Another mountain view from my room window.

 

 

Final hotel room view.
Final hotel room view- also from balcony.

 

 

Building on hotel grounds.
Building on hotel grounds.

 

 

The summer hut where famous composer Grieg worked and wrote on the hotel grounds.
The summer hut where famous composer Grieg worked and wrote on the hotel grounds.
About 200 people at the Film Summit. Nearly that many at my Character Map Class. For those of you who missed it a link to the eBook http://etbscreenwriting.com//products-page/e-books/the-character-map/
About 200 people at the Film Summit. Nearly that many at my Character Map Class. For those of you who missed it a link to the eBook http://etbscreenwriting.com//products-page/e-books/the-character-map/
Participants took a field trip to Odda one of the first industrial factories in the world. Now vacant and in planning stages to be a film studio.
Participants took a field trip to Odda one of the first industrial factories in the world. Now vacant and in planning stages to be a film studio.

 

Dinner for 200 at the enormous hydro-electric plant which once powered the factory.
Dinner for 200 at the enormous hydro-electric plant which once powered the factory.

 

Goodby Hotel Ullensvang
Goodby Hotel Ullensvang

 

My Day at Pixar

I spent an amazing day at Pixar on Tuesday. I was doing a Character Map session with some of their writers, artists, directors and others. It’s easy to spot people coming to Pixar for the first time. They’re the ones, like me, walking around trying to soak in all the wonderful visuals in the building and snapping pictures like mad. Here are some of mine–

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Day Two at eQuinoxe

When a script isn’t working well, isn’t as compelling a read as it should be or has some kind of emotional disconnect in the story the problem is usually the lack of a clear compelling and well-developed Want, Need or Price.

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Jumping Off a Cliff

I am always talking about characters taking a Leap of Faith in a story. But I have been a bit hesitant about making my own. The cliff I am contemplating right is moving to Europe to live and work for a year, possibly longer.

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