How not to write a screenplay; presenting to the executives.

Here are some basic do's and don'ts when presenting your script to an executive according to How not to Write a Screenplay by Denny Martin Flinn.

* Don't burn your bridges by not being stubborn and by acting accommodating.

* Don't argue, discuss, especially in the ego-driven movie business. If you tell someone they are wrong, they won't judge your argument, they'll judge you.

* Do nod your head and smile whilst you calmly pursue their point though to the end.

* Don't rationalize your writing, art stands for itself and what the reader gets from the pages.

* Do use the executive's vocabulary; when in Rome, speak Italian.

* Don't discuss casting, often a good role is-in their eyes-not a lucrative one.

* Don't dress better than the executive. You are the artist not another suit, they are executives because they want to rub shoulders with you.

* Do see it as their movie because that's how they see it. Possession is nine tenths of the law.

* Always say yes if they offer a drink as they feel appreciated.

Working in Canada: work permits.

To work in Canada permanently I would need a work permit (film crews are allowed to work temporarily there).

What I should know:

1. My employer helps to determine if I'm eligible.

2. To work in Canada I must meet the "general requirements" for entering the country and to stay I would need a temporary resident Visa.

3. A work permit is by no means an immigration document and doesn't allow me to live in Canada permanently.

How to apply for a work permit

1. Check the application processing times: there are a number of factors in the application process that can affect the processing time.

2. Obtain an application package: before filling it in I will need a written job offer from my employer, proof that I meet the requirements, the positive labour market opinion on my job offer from Human Resources and Social Development Canada, proof of identity.

3. Determine where you will submit your application: I must submit my application to the visa office that is responsible for the country where I live.

4. Determine if you need a passport and a temporary resident Visa: a temporary resident visa is an official document that is placed in your passport. If my permit is approved then the resident visa will be issued at the same time as the documentation I need to enter Canada as a worker.

5. Pay the correct processing fee: the fee can be paid in local currency but it can't be refunded, even if my application isn't accepted.

6. Submit the application form: once I'm sure the form is completed it must be signed and dated. I must also make sure that I have the right receipt for the fees. My application will be returned to me if it isn't properly completed.

Working in America

There is one place other than England that I am seriously considering working in. America, and specifically, San Francisco. Now whilst I've been been to America a few times, I have in fact never been to anywhere on the West Coast. Still from what I have so far gathered about San Francisco it seems like paradise. So the first port of call is to go there, which I plan on doing as soon as I've left Art College. In the meantime I think it would be wise to research their immigration laws so that I know what I'm up against.

The majority of American work Visas are Non-Immigrant Visas and they only allow foreign workers temporary residency so they can live and work in America. There are still a variety of Visas all with variations of length of stay and many have room for holders to extend their stay providing they meet the requirements.

Here are a list of possible Visas that I may be needing, which one will depend of course on my exact job and circumstances.

Specialty Workers (H1B Visa):

Applies to foreigners entering America to perform services in a speciality occupation.

Temporary Skilled or Unskilled Workers (H2B Visa):

This facilitates the entry of foreign workers who wish to enter America to engage in non-agricultural employment which is seasonal, intermittent, a peak load need, or a one-time occurrence.

Intracompany Transferess (L1 Visa):

The L1 category applies to foreigners who work for a company with a parent, subsidy, branch, or affiliate in America. Applicants must be employed in America in a managerial or executive capacity (L1A Visa) or as a person with a specialized knowledge (L1B Visa).

Employment-based Preference Visas:

The employment based visa preference system allows American employers to petition the USCIS for permanent residency on behalf of certain employees who may qualify.

The Man Speaks

I thought I'd do a little post about the man who I feel right now is the greatest inspiration to me. After writing the script for my negotiated study piece I am now very interested in writing as a possible route to go down on my film industry voyage. People usually ask you who your favorite director is as it is usually regarded that a director "makes" the film: he is the auteur. However if somebody were to ask me who my favorite director was I would rephrase their question and say my favorite writer is Charlie Kaufman. Of the six films he's written, he's only directed one of them yet I feel that they are all "his films". They are so original and "high concept" that their primary entertainment value-at least for me-is the on paper description of what the film is, not how it looks or how it is acted. I thought I'd look through some interviews of his so I could get an idea of the kind of guy he is and how he came to be where he is.

Two Books

Right now I'm in the middle of writing a script for my negotiated study next next term and it seems to be quite going quite well. Still, for a beginner it's a total minefield as unlike being a Cinematographer or Editor there seems to be no obvious way of learning or improving, or is there? I am a strong believer in the idea that with enough practice one can become good at anything so I googled a little and came across a number of well reviewed texts on the subject of scriptwriting.

On Amazon I looked for a top ten list of screenwriting books and "How Not to Write a Screenplay" seemed like the most appropriate. After looking at a few reviews I realised that many other notable texts were colossal tombs that would probably paralyze a beginner such as myself, with the attention span of a gnat with A.D.D. Secondly I wanted a book on comedy writing as at the moment it's the comedy/drama route I'm interested in. For this there appeared to be no contest and "Comedy Writing Secrets" was the way to go. The two books are on their way to my front door, straight from Amazon as we speak.

Six Tips

This is what eHow has to say about how to become a Cinematographer...

1. Research trade schools or vocational institutions which teach Cinematography.

2. Learn about camera types and uses, lighting techniques and lenses

3. Stretch your artistic eye by taking lots of still photographs and filming as much as possible. Learn also to distinguish between good and bad lighting and the emotional effect of camera angle and film development.

4. Always check listings for film and television being produced in your area for jobs as camera or lighting specialists. Also inquire with news stations and movie studios about internships.

5. Shoot as much footage as you can and distribute you work, best done at good networking events.

6. Watch as many great films as you can.

Another Film Company

http://www.anotherfilmcompany.com/

Sooner or later I would very much like, in a similar way to Brown Bread films, to start my own production company. I came across these guys the other day and their showreel is pretty impressive. In say ten years from now it would be lovely to be a Director for one of these companies and in a perfect world I would've started the company myself. Their work is quite varied: adverts, title sequences, music promos e.t.c and quite clever on the visual effects too.

The company was set up in 2001 by Tim Marshall and Steve Reeves. They quickly went on to win the BTAA Best Cinema Commercial for the notorious Agent Provocateur commercial, featuring Kylie Minogue-now the most viewed viral ad in the world. Another then expanded with the signing of director Simon Neal, whose first commercial, for Cancer Research, won Best New Director a the BTA Craft Awards in 2002.

Meth Labs and Supermarkets

I helped out on the music promo for Leeds rapper "Matter". I think this has probably got to be Brown Bread Film's most mental shoot yet. I crewed over three days. Firstly I helped out putting the finishing touches to the set which consisted of much wallpapering, cutting and sticking. This was all part of the creating of an elaborate authentic looking drug den style set.

Day two was more interesting, it was all shot in the evening on a steadycam at a local mini supermarket. I was given the all important job of carrying the music for the performers to lip-sync. The final day was shot in the morning on a path along a dark tunnel, my first job being to create a suitable patchwork of cardboard to act as a blackout at one end of the tunnel, thus making the path that bit darker. Again I was in charge of keeping up with the performers holding the stereo system for them to lip sync. This was also my task at the swimming baths later that day.