Parallel Worlds

Anticipation and the Adaptation

This past Friday, like many other American females, I camped out in front of the movie theatre in anticipation of watching Twilight on opening day. I bought my tickets in advance, but had to wait for nearly three hours in line to get a decent seat in the theatre. Having also been in line for the Harry Potter movie and book releases, this crowd was unlike any other I have seen - 400 people all waiting for the 10pm show. Next to me in line were two teenage girls wearing Twilight shirts of their own design with their favorite quotes from the book printed on back of shirt. On my other side, a group of Twilight Moms chatter desperately about the dreamy fantasy that has become Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Girls squealing, chatter never ending and skinny jeans was the night scene.

Like any movie, based on a book, do not expect every scene to be replayed on the big screen. As a screenwriter, I was very intrigued about how the movie would be played out. The book was very internal and turning such internal dialog and conflict into cinematic expression would be a challenge. Much more voiceover than is normal in a script, but definitely necessary. In the end, the essence of the storyline was captured, but it was the chemistry between Kristen and Rob that made the flick a success with $70.6M opening weekend.

Check out Twilight screenwriter, Melissa Rosenberg, discuss how she tackled the adaptation and craze of fans:

Film.com Interview: Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg on Twilight: How the strike affected Twilight, her dip into fan sites, and when she knew it was a big deal! 

Premiere - Exclusive Interview: "Twilight" Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg

The Underwire from Wired.com: Twilight Taps Teen Vampire Tales for Silver Screen

Moviemaker.com: Melissa Takes a Bite Out of Twilight (via Twilighters Anonymous)

Twilight Lexicon: Interview with Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg

Hiatus Over

I took a hiatus after the EXPO through the writer's strike drama and beyond, but now I am back and more focused. The page content to the right will be updated. While this blog has not been active my mind has remained littered with ideas spilling out onto notebook pages and cocktail napkins!

As you know, being a pr professional, I have linked my screenwriting passion to benefit my career. Bulldog Reporter-Daily Dog reports, "PR people can learn a lot from movies that they can apply to their jobs and learning." My Communicators Anonymous blog (and to some extent the earlier posts of this blog) has professed this fact for two years. Structured writing around an emotional core is key to both a successful pr career and essential for a storyteller. The story must strike a harmonious chord with the reader. The pitch for attention should be concise and riveting. Will Csaklos, Story Consultant, Former Senior Creative Executive, PIxar shares valuable insight into the scripted tale of a pr professional. Enjoy!

Feature Excerpt:

How might that  translate to a PR person's job?

My  advice to PR people on that front is to think of and position your company or  client's story in framework of change and  evolution. That's what people, reporters included, respond to emotionally.  Essential to that are obstacles.

The character—an entrepreneur or your founder, for example—must have a starting point in order to have an arc that people and the public can respond to. And then this person must go through a series of obstacles that causes him or her to change. This translates to media relations because the press always wants stories with drama and obstacles. PR people should be aware of that when pitching or fielding calls. It's not personal when a reporter digs for that information—it's part of the story telling process.

Another takeaway for PR people here is to call out what is dramatic when pulling together all the story material, backgrounders or even bios about your executive or company. What were the turning points in your executive's career or rise to the top, for example? Where is the challenge? Where is the edge of defeat and triumph?

                    

 

Big Dreams Found Local

This weekend in the room across from a film studies class, I taught Intro Into Retail Marketing studies. Saturday, my fellow Instructor asked if I wanted to sneak in her classroom and listen to guest speaker, Brent McCorkle. Of course! Naturally on a day where it would be great to look my best, my hair is hastily thrown back, wearing jeans, OU T-shirt and old sneakers...my class was busy completing projects so I dressed to be comfortable. When introduced to Brent as an Instructor he must have thought it a joke.

Brent spoke about being a Director, Cinematographer and 'On The Lot' Semi-Finalist. Did I mention he is a superb writer? Brent spoke about the importance of collaboration to produce an awesome product and encourages students to follow their creative dreams locally. Opportunities exist in Texas. Chasing a dream of being discovered in Hollywood is like playing the lottery. (I don't know about you, but I have not won...yet.)

After showing his 'On The Lot' submission video, the class was speechless and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Keep an eye out for Brent!

Bounce Back

Death has surrounded me for three weeks and temporarily darkened all thoughts and aspirations.

New focus:

"The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true." -John Steinbeck

The Expo is little over a month away and I am nowhere near comfort level with my three scripts. Due to unforeseen financial issues, I am considering canceling EXPO 6 registration. The air ticket is non-refundable. Of course, this perfect storm of events happens the year I get up the nerve to attend an Expo! Friends and family do not understand how upset I am because they think it is just another annual event. There is always next year...No, there might be an excuse next year!

Get back up, Lauren.

Cooler Heads Prevail

I long for the August heat to retreat and give way to fall breezes so I may sit outside and write. No end in sight. My writing lair needs a summer cleaning!

To spur my creative process, I plotted the seminars to attend at the October Expo. I put my quill down and finished reading, Elizabeth, CEO. Fabulous book! I am greatly looking forward to the upcoming feature, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Haunted Souls

I prefer to keep drama within the pages I write, but the page has bled.

Script Reading

Cool tool! I discovered iScript.com today. Upload your screenplay, iScript records and you download your MP3 of script. Share your script with friends and critics. It is pricey... Have you tried it? Worth the $?

In-Sanity: Plot Synopsis & Characters

Added! Now it's time to get to work on scene outline...

The pages on the right is a list of working spec scripts. Three will be pitched at the upcoming Screenwriting Expo. Each page lists the developing structure and story elements. I will post and categorize when pages are updated. Please leave candid feedback and enjoy the story!

In-Sanity:Story & Structure

The pages on the right is a list of working spec scripts. Three will be pitched at the upcoming Screenwriting Expo. Each page lists the developing structure and story elements. I will post and categorize when pages are updated. Please leave candid feedback and enjoy the story!

In-Sanity: Theme posted

While standing in line Friday for Harry Potter, I had ample time for character development. I will post this tomorrow.

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." -- Jack London

Harry Potter Mania

This Zany post falls on a Monday because I have had my nose stuck in the newest and final Harry Potter book. As I stood in line from 4am Friday through 1am Saturday, I made my Twitter debut. This weekend was history in the making. The energy in the air was electrifying...as was my hair. I dressed up as Professor Trelawny (played by Emma Thompson in the movie). Children and adults wanted pictures with me, so I am a bit wary of what will be on the Web today...

At 12:07am on the 7th month of 2007, I was the 7th person in line to purchase the 7th Harry Potter book!

Thank you to those I stood in line with for keeping me sane. People seem to get a bit crazy in lines. I will not divulge any plot twists, turns and endings, but want to share the sentiment below. Of all the reviews I have read, this line touched me the most.

"This book largely revolves around three 17-year-olds, truly on their own. Is this a children's book, then? No. It is a book for children to grow into, the last brick in a mansion they can enter as children, and leave as young adults." Liz Rosenberg, Boston Globe - 23 July

Bigger than the iPhone...

Social Impact on Branding