@MsPackyetti
I was still only a green card holder in 2016 and over the last 4 years it has felt more imperative that I gain my citizenship, and register and be ready to vote in 2020.
As of February this year, I became a citizen and I will be voting!
It’s been so tough trying to get this film into festivals this year. Today was our 13th rejection. It’s stings but isn’t the end of the world.
I’m so proud of what my team and I created. I want their work to be seen.
Feeling fiery. So here’s the trailer. Might delete later.
It’s real. I’m directing my first short.
Had our first production meeting with my producer, line producer, DP and composer. Totally floored and humbled that these people want to share their talents and collaborate.
I also wrote it and will act in it because I’m insane.
That’s a wrap on my directorial debut.
I can’t believe I did it. I’ve wanted this for so long but let fear and excuses stop me.
throughout this process a voice kept telling me I didn’t know what I was doing or that I should run.
But I kept showing up. I’m overwhelmed.
I think most people don’t understand how hard writing is.
It’s hard enough finishing a thing, but on top of that creating something that impacts people.
Also the time spent writing where you’re not actually putting anything on the page but it’s still writing. Explain that
At the end of 2019 I made a decision to finally try and resist my destructive cycle of self sabotage.
I could no longer let fear get in the way of my aspirations. I started taking risks. I found my voice. I found community.
Tomorrow, I’m directing my first short.
Keep going
Today I got two rejections on a script that won a contest and was a semifinalist at AFF this year.
It goes to show that comps and fellowships can be a subjective lottery.
Just keep writing, be the biggest advocate for your voice and work, and find like minded collaborators.
I’ve had no formal training in acting/writing/directing. No drama school, film school, or college.
I hung this over myself for so long and told myself I wasn’t good enough.
Put yourself out there, treat every gig as your education, and you will grow like the ‘educated’ ones
I am absolutely stunned. A big big thank you to
@WeScreenplay
@Coverfly
And a huge congrats to my fellow winners and finalists.
Wow. I really don’t know what to do or say. I was having a dry May but I might need a drink.
Congrats to the winners of the 2022 WeScreenplay Feature Competition!
Fire Over The Hills-
@alexanderchard
In His Image-
@KendraChristel
Keesha Goes To Camp-
@rjmuse
The Chosen Ones- Paul Sheridan
The White Guy Dies First- Nicholas Pangilinan
Details:
So excited to announce that I was selected for Coverfly’s list of BEST UNREPPED WRITERS of 2023.
Thanks so much for including me in such a talented list of writers
@Coverfly
. I am so humbled and grateful!
Also - first time in a
@DEADLINE
article!
Searching for a list of the best up and coming screenwriters? Coverfly has curated a list of lists that brings together a raft of rising writers (click photo below for story)
So far my short film is at 4/4 for non-selection at film festivals. Such a competitive and subjective thing, isn’t it?
It will find a home somewhere… eventually… someday… right?! Right?!
I was reluctant to add this title to my profile until we wrapped - but technically I started directing the moment I committed to directing this short.
The first of many I hope.
Also, this year when producers ask if I want to direct my own writing, it will be an emphatic yes!
This feels pretty damn cool.
The latest draft is a little more polished and refined than this one (I hope) - but I’m incredibly proud to have FIRE OVER THE HILLS sitting in company with some remarkable scripts in the script library at
#AFF29
Thanks to my SF placement for AFF, I got this nice little boost when I just checked my
@coverfly
profile.
FIRE OVER THE HILLS has made the Red List for the 1st time!
20 years in and I’m still pushing to get my foot in the door, only so I can push forward to the next door. I try and remind myself to celebrate even the smallest victories but it’s exhausting.
Sometimes I want to let it go but then I have an existential crisis. Is it worth it?
A customer at the restaurant I work at told me that I looked liked Adam Driver, and I said to him that maybe I was. He turned to his wife and asked, “Is Adam Driver a method actor?”
I leaned in towards him and almost in a whisper said, “I am”.
I just wrapped and checked my phone. I feel so blessed and humbled today. My grandfather is looking over me on his birthday. After a really tough start to the year, this day has been special.
I’m stunned. 2 scripts in the final!! Congrats to everyone advancing.
@WeScreenplay
Today at my restaurant job I heard so many customers talking about their scripts, pitch decks, breaking story, episodes etc - for a moment I felt that pang of envy, but immediately let it go.
This is the life of an artist. My moment will come.
FIRE OVER THE HILLS
-Drama/Horror/Sci-Fi
In the far north, an otherworldly event prompts an elderly man to retreat to a small community in the woods where he desperately tries to preserve his memories in a frighteningly shrinking world.
@WeScreenplay
Feature Comp Winner 2022
@strangeharbors
As a 14 year old I totally got swept up in its online marketing and the way it built the entire mythology and 'reality' of this world. so ahead of the curve in its use of early internet in creating that frenzy. like you said, won't be replicated again.
Networking has always been so difficult for me. I get crippled with anxiety and self doubt.
Then I realised that almost everyone in the room feels the same.
So the best way for me to alleviate that feeling is to help alleviate it in others, so we can all be ourselves.
Screenwriters - we're reaching that time in the year when we start finding out about comp and fellowship placements -
But don't let this define the value of your work and voice. It's only one pathway of many.
Keep writing, keep listening and learning, and keep hustling.
Just applied for two video game writer jobs. As a gamer with a passion for single player, narrative driven games, this is a space I’ve always had a strong interest in.
These jobs are probably a long shot but it’s exciting to throw my name in the hat! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I just got an audition for a small but really juicy part in a big feature film.
I'm so excited for this opportunity and am going to grab that energy and have a lot of fun with this self tape.
Then I'll send it out into the ether and manifest this one to fruition.
I am still stunned about FIRE OVER THE HILLS being a winner of
@WeScreenplay
.
But here's some perspective;
Every other fellowship/comp it's entered in, it hasn't made it past the 1st round.
It's all subjective, and takes graft, perseverance, and whole lot of luck. Keep going!
I’d pursue this creative life until the day I die for free. It’s all I know and am good at. However, I wish I could make a sustainable living from it too. Sometimes it’s tough putting in the hours in the hope you might get paid.
I know a lot of others feel the same.
Just got this great news for the next feature I'm developing called MONSTERS ARE REAL.
Thank you
@screencrafting
!
* Also - would love some suggestions or samples of 3 min video pitches, if anyone wants to share. I think I know how I'll approach it but open to ideas!
Just playing around with some poster art for my short. Who likes what?
714
~short (drama/sci-fi)
As the world comes to an end, Noah reckons with the loss of his wife and daughter, and is forced to confront the nature of his own fate.
Thanks so much to everyone for the kind words yesterday.
I continue to grow as a writer because of this community - the script swaps, table reads, giving notes, getting notes, championing each other during our lows, and celebrating our highs. You’re all amazing. Thank you 🙏🏽🎉
So excited to announce that I was selected for Coverfly’s list of BEST UNREPPED WRITERS of 2023.
Thanks so much for including me in such a talented list of writers
@Coverfly
. I am so humbled and grateful!
Also - first time in a
@DEADLINE
article!
Just got my Nicholl notification. Not advancing and didn’t place in the Top 10% or 20% either.
Sad but not disheartened.
I WILL be a produced writer that can say I never placed in Nicholl, got a 4 on the blacklist, and made it through sheer will and hustle.
Watch me go!
🤯🤯🤯
I honestly can’t believe the progress this script is making. So grateful to everyone that continue to hold space for this story. The American Western is ready for a new lens from which to view this world!
Thanks
@Coverfly
!
At the end of 2019 I made a decision to finally try and resist my destructive cycle of self sabotage.
I could no longer let fear get in the way of my aspirations. I started taking risks. I found my voice. I found community.
Tomorrow, I’m directing my first short.
Keep going
Westerns have traditionally been seen through a white lens.
So, imagine The Revenant, but thru the eyes of a Chinese American women, with a strong BIPOC supporting cast.
A clash of culture, a search for identity - deeply imbued with Chinese spiritualism.
To any creative that scrolls past this -
Thank you. I’m a better artist and person for knowing you. You elevate me.
And I believe in you. Keep going. Express yourself in whichever way makes your heart sing.
I’ll celebrate your wins, and lift you during your losses.
Always.
Film festivals are brutal. Even with realistic expectations, the rejections still sting. The rejections from the festivals that serve and elevate your community sting a bit more.
All part of the game though.
A programmer somewhere will give our film a home.
🎉 👏 Congratulations to the Fall 2022 ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Finalists! These incredible pitches were selected from almost 1,000 submissions! 👏 🎉 Get all the details here:
Screenwriters - after sending out some query emails to producers, I got some read requests, and so I sent them my work.
At this point, should I just wait for them to reply?
Or should I send a follow up? And if so, how long should I wait b4 I follow up?
I very rarely pay for coverage these days unless I need some quick feedback.
Excited to learn that my sci-fi short 714 is heading in the right direction.
This will be my first script that I direct. I intend to do it this year. I’m gonna make it happen.
Now actors will be required to bulk up to high heaven to play a superhero which eliminates any sense of transformative nuance.
Here Christopher Reeve masterfully uses his acting skills and physicality to transform before our eyes. It’s subtle but powerfully effective. I love it
FIRE OVER THE HILLS
You literally win some and you lose some.
A friendly reminder that it’s all subjective. Comp winner a few weeks ago, dumpster fire today. Can prob kiss consideration for this lab goodbye.
keep going, stay true to your voice, and find the right people.
So excited that ENFYS NEST has advanced to the quarterfinals.
This was my first spec pilot and a project I really love purely because it allowed me to overlap my love of writing and my love of Star Wars.
Congrats to everyone advancing!
@screencrafting
#StarWars
This was a great surprise to start the new year.
FIRE OVER THE HILLS
~ feature (drama/horror/sci-fi)
An otherworldly event prompts an elderly man to retreat to a small community in the woods where he desperately tries to preserve his memories in a frighteningly shrinking world.
🎉 PITCH WEEK SELECTIONS ARE HERE! 🎉
🔥More than 100+ meetings are confirmed for writers this season.
Congratulations to those selected!
View the list of projects and writers:
I know a lot of you on here probably know me through the screenwriting community but I’d like to put it out there that I’m also an actor.
So if you’re ever looking for someone for your projects - whether it’s table reads, auditions, shoots etc feel free to reach out!
Two pitch week meetings this week. One production company and one manager. Both requested to see my short film, as well as read some of my scripts.
That feels like a win to me!
Thanks again
@Coverfly
. Looking forward to the next one!
A year ago today I was on set for my debut short which I directed, wrote and starred in.
It’s been a hell of journey and one I’ve been lucky to share with incredible collaborators.
I hope to share it with y’all some time this year.
I started my writing journey just before the pandemic hit. This was an idea I had for a few years that became my first feature.
This may end up no where, but this small victory today, makes me feel like I’m heading in the right direction.
@screencrafting
Just read
@andycompton_
2 Nicholl SF scripts, BELLYACHE and SUPLEX.
As an actor, I would beg for a part in these. As a writer, they're work to aspire to.
They leap off the page. Not a word is wasted. Rich characters. Grounded and sincere. It's effortless.
While this is disappointing, I have no time to fret as this short is in the final throes of pre-production and shoots in 2.5 weeks. That is exciting! I can only trust my team and my instincts at this point.
Congrats to all those advancing to the next round!
COME HOME SON
When his mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness, a social activist content creator, who is bitter about how his life has turned out, begins to bend his moral compass and grift his viewers to raise money for her treatment.
#SCREENPIT
#Dr
#Fea
#Cov
#WrCo
#SeRe
1/2 🧵
Some notes on my
#StarWars
spec/pilot, ENFYS NEST.
I honestly can’t believe this reader would have me justify why my female protagonist doesn’t have sexual interests and why I don’t show her flirting or having sex with anyone?! 🤦🏻♂️🤯
This is absolutely insane.
For my bday, my friends Nisha and Andrew got me a framed poster of my first short, 714.
Both contributed so much to this project. Andrew was the editor and Nisha helped immensely with her notes through the writing phase as well as through post.
Poster design by
@JoeFavalaro
What a team. I’m so incredibly grateful to each and every one of them.
They taught me so much, they elevated me, and they worked with such a generosity of spirit and collaboration.
This film is all of ours.
DAY 3 - BTS - 714
This was by far the most challenging day. Needed to adapt and be decisive all while racing the sun and our wrap time. It was a thrill ride but I’m so happy with what we got.
My
#AFF29
journey ends as a semifinalist. Beyond happy and grateful to have made it this far.
Congrats to all the finalists!
See y’all next week! I can’t wait!
Unitree Go1 is a new genertion robot dog that can reach a speed of 17 km/h, with adaptive joints and intelligent side follow system. This is a mass testing event in a Unitree factory
[read more: ]
As a preWGA writer, I need some clarity on how to show solidarity with the WGA.
I intended to only enter Page, Nicholl and AFF this year. I was submitting for Nicholl today. Should I abstain?
Should I make my
@Coverfly
scripts private?
All suggestions are appreciated.
I feel like I still have so much growing to do as a writer. Feel like I need to really level up to progress further with producers, reps etc.
Not sure what my voice is or what I want to say right now.
It’s strange. The spark for writing hasn’t been this dim in a long time.
I love being back in Australia. It’s like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the US and my life there, but with the way things are, it always feels like there is an unseen pressure that tightens everyday.
Americans - life can be fairer and better
Just found out my two features made the QFs of
@WeScreenplay
This was an early draft of FIRE OVER THE HILLS too. Hoping to finish this big rewrite before the Feb 20 deadline for the next round.
If not - still really happy it’s been well received this early in its journey.
My mum read 2 of my scripts for the 1st time and said they moved her deeply.
It’s all I could ask for as both stories represent her own journey.
Thanks for inspiring me thru your struggle and triumphs, Ibu.
Should prob write a comedy about all the silly things you say next😛
Got my first festival rejection for my short today. It was one of the big festivals, so was always a bit of a long shot. Still bummed about it though and in this very moment have lost optimism about the rest.
But it’s okay. This feeling will pass and we move on.
All my written materials are finished and ready to go. Just have to finish my video pitch and statement tomorrow and Wednesday.
Wasn't going to submit but friends and collaborators lit the fire, and I'm so glad I pushed through.
Then I just surrender to the universe.
Applications for NO DRAMA, a new global initiative from
@Monkeypaw
, powered by TIFF and the
@UniversalGTDI
Filmmakers Project, close this Thursday, February 29 at 11:59pm ET.
Don’t miss the chance to receive a $50K (USD) grant to produce your short film.
There’s days and weeks where you just feel unsure if you’re moving in the right direction, but this week has been a good week. Just gotta keep at it.
X OR (THE ASCENSIÓN OF GOLD MOUNTAIN) keeps on riding. Into the QFs! Congrats to all those progressing.
Thanks
@TheScriptLab
My western X OR (THE ASCENSION OF GOLD MOUNTAIN) made it into the QFs!!
Very proud to be amongst so many talented writers. Congrats to all those that advanced!
Social media makes it really easy to compare others progress to your own.
Trust me - try your best not to. It can make you bitter or jaded, and that will slowly seep into your own work and poison it.
Trust your path. Celebrate others. Be your own voice and continue to grow.
More than thrilled that my Western is still resonating with people.
If any producers are looking -
Imagine The Revenant, but thru the eyes of a Chinese American women, with a strong BIPOC supporting cast.
A brutal spiritual quest to recover what has been lost.
@Coverfly
Got my Nicholl notification. Unfortunately, my weird screenplay did not advance.
I've been super selective with comps and fellowships this year and haven't advanced in any. Oh well, balances out the great year I had in '22.
Congrats to everyone advancing!
on we go!
I made it! I made it!
Humbled to be in such great company in the year end showcase for
@TheStuntList
You can find my feature
X OR (THE ASCENSIÓN OF GOLD MOUNTAIN) in the Originals Bureau.
Big shoutout
@AshLazerWrites
for his tireless work wrangling this together.
We humbly present
@TheStuntList
YEAR END SHOWCASE—
60 of the dopest Original screenplays x 50 of the raddest Stunt scripts.
Showrunners & staffed writers to emerging scribes, featuring posters, page 1s, pitch decks & full scripts.
🧵1/6
Get the PDF:
Excited to learn that FIRE OVER THE HILLS has advanced to the QF!
Many familiar and talented names on the list too! Honoured to be in such great company.
Good luck in the next round!
I’ve been asked a lot why I wanted to act in a short I wrote and directed.
There’s a few reasons.
But mostly it’s about visibility. I’ve been a struggling actor for a long time and I wanted to create something that would showcase my craft in way that no one else has let me.
Hi - I’m currently seeking literary representation.
I’m an Indonesian-Australian actor/writer/director, and my multicultural upbringing deeply informs my work. I mostly write features that are drama centered character studies wrapped in genre-bending circumstances.
@afcDW
Yeah Liverpool lost to Watford. They won’t be invincibles. Hypothetical match ups between past and present can be fun but the facts are this...
Liverpool are 22 pts ahead (42 ahead of Arsenal)
Euro and World Champs.
Will win the league.
Arsenal are 10th.
This was one of the best commercial sets I’ve worked on.
So happy I get to share it with everyone now!
Directed by Fredrik Bond and produced by MJZ.
@Lexus
A massive thank you to
@JoeStraynge
for creating this stellar poster for my short 714.
We will be completing the film this week and begin our festival submissions.
I’ll post more updates as we go! Incredibly proud of this and the incredible work of the entire team!
#714
FIRE OVER THE HILLS
-Drama/Horror/Sci-Fi
In the far north, an otherworldly event prompts an elderly man to retreat to a small community in the woods where he desperately tries to preserve his memories in a frighteningly shrinking world.
@WeScreenplay
Feature Comp Winner 2022
Finally started reading this. I’m realising it’s come at a time when I’ve really needed this earnest insight. Thanks
@StephenKing
.
“Life isn’t a support-system for art. It’s the other way around.”
I'm a writer BUT I'm also an actor.
This year I intend to pursue more meaningful work - outside the usual grind (lottery) of trying to book one line spots on TV.
So if you're looking for a SAG actor for your next indie feature or short - hit me up!