Cinequest: Day of the Writer
Posted on | March 8, 2011 | No Comments
Cinequest is this week; and this Friday, March 11, is “Day of the Writer.” It should be a fantastic event for screenwriters, and general admission is only $20. It’s in San Jose. David Webb Peoples, the author of “Twelve Monkeys” and “Blade Runner” will be speaking. Here’s the rest of the info:
DAY OF THE WRITER
Imagination + Technology = Sci Fi
Dear Class
Posted on | January 30, 2011 | 2 Comments
Because of the ambitious nature of my class – interconnected elements of me speaking, the showing of film clips and the insertion of screenplay pages, director’s notes, et al – I had to hire a new designer for the online class, a real pro who creates classes for the Universities in California. My goal has been to have the best, most professional class, and this is the right move. Class is scheduled to being March 30, 2011
I WILL RETURN ANYONE’S MONEY IMMEDIATELY, and you can re-register later – OR…
I’ll start sending you things early – later this week – so you can begin your studies, then take the full class once we are up and running.
IT IS YOUR CHOICE. I APOLOGIZE for the delay, but it will be worth it… James Dalessandro
Pitching
Posted on | December 14, 2010 | No Comments
Introduction
Posted on | December 13, 2010 | Comments Off
James Dalessandro’s online 16-week screenwriting course begins on January 30, 2011. Sign up, or get more information, by clicking “Class Signup” on the bar at the top of this page.
The Evolution of Television
Posted on | December 7, 2010 | No Comments
Read this article in The Wall Street Journal:
Why Serious Fare Went Small Screen
I have been preaching this gospel for years. Two decades ago, film did the serious stuff, television did the frivolous stuff. Then, in 1980, along came HILL STREET BLUES, the game changer that showed small, intimate drama, packed with amazing characters, dark humor and hair raising drama, belonged on the small screen where you could watch characters evolve over weeks and months and years.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy (2009)
Posted on | November 23, 2010 | No Comments
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
A serious candidate for the best movie I’ve seen all year, and a likely candidate for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. By far, the best of the trilogy.
A career-making performance for Nooni Rapace as Lisbeth Salander. It is the kind of film that we rarely make in the U.S. any more, with an emphasis on character and complex story. A flat-out masterpiece.
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
The second of the trilogy based on Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novels, featuring the computer hacker/goth rebel, Lisbeth Salander. It was made for Norwegian television, on a much smaller budget than the first film.
Tags: 2009 movies > aniel Alfredson > filmmaking > films > foreign film > foreign film award > girl who kicked the hornet's nest > girl who played with fire > girl with the dragon tattoo > independent film > james dalessandro > Lisbeth Salander > Michael Nyqvist > movie review > movies > Noomi Rapace > norwegian film > oscar nomination > recent films > screenplay > screenwriting > Stieg Larsson > trilogy
Peter Miller searching for new talent!
Posted on | November 23, 2010 | No Comments
VIDEO:
A Message from Peter Miller
My manager and friend Peter Miller, who has been working in the industry for many years, is looking for new talent. He and his company have produced seventeen films, in addition to publishing novels (17 of which were New York Times Best Sellers).
Peter’s company, PMA Literary and Film Management, has taken a turn in the direction they’re going with their projects. They are now only taking positive, inspirational projects which will make the world a better place. They no longer do horror movies or negative projects. They are on the look-out for fresh new talent: writers and filmmakers with great stories and ideas which will make the world a better place.
Tags: change the world > Discover the Gift > feature film > filmmakers wanted > inspirational film > james dalessandro > local industry updates > movie idea > novel > Peter Miller > pitch > PMA Lit > publish > publish your novel > screenwriters wanted > The Element > writers wanted
Screenwriting Tip #003
Posted on | November 23, 2010 | No Comments
Don’t neglect your subplots and secondary characters. The main plot is never the only one.
Tags: james dalessandro > main plot > plot > screenplay > screenwriting lesson > screenwriting tips > secondary characters > story > subplot > synopsis > tip of the week
The Kids are Alright
Posted on | November 23, 2010 | 1 Comment
Story: The teenage son and daughter of a lesbian couple seek out their sperm donor father and bring him into the family.
Excellent film. Incredible performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. Mark Ruffalo really shines here as well. Also, “Alice in Wonderland’s” Mia Wasikowska was wonderful as the daughter and seems to be a rising star. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It has superb characters and is very well written. We don’t see many of these lately.
With an estimated budget of only $4 million, the film has now grossed around $21 million.
Tags: 10th Hole Productions > 2010 films > annette bening > characters > comedy > drama > family > james dalessandro > julianne moore > lesbian > lesbian family > Lisa Cholodenko > Mandalay Vision > mark ruffalo > Mia Wasikowska > movie review > new films > Saint Aire Production > screenwriter > screenwriting > script > sperm donor > the kids are alright
Screenwriting Tip #002
Posted on | October 23, 2010 | No Comments
In every story, you’re allowed one big lie and everything else must be logical. Common sense is genius in blue jeans.