While the concept for Screenwriting from Iowa came a couple years ago when I gave a screenwriting seminar at The Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls, Iowa, it wasn’t until late 2007 when the idea started to gain momentum.
I was looking for a way to bring all my production notes together under one roof and began to write a book. These are notes I began gathering while in film school and have built upon for the past 20 plus years as an award-winning video/tv producer (River Run Productions) and digital filmmaker.
Before moving to Iowa in 2003 I lived in Miami, Los Angeles and Orlando and along the way I’ve written seven unproduced feature screenplays. (Success is a poor teacher they say. And I keep reminding myself that Oliver Stone said he wrote 12 scripts before he was produced.) But many of my notes are gathered from various quotes from top screenwriters and directors in the field with the hope that they will give a sense of direction to those wanting to write scripts and make movies.
Toward the end of ‘07 I began talking to a book publisher in a deal that ultimately fell through but like a good protagonist I forged on. This blog was born in January 2008 after seeing Diablo Cody’s Juno. The fact that she went to college in Iowa, wrote a distinctly Midwestern screenplay while in Minneapolis, and was discovered while blogging seemed like enough synergy and inspiration for me to jump into the blogging world.
Various productions over the years have taken me to all 50 States and many countries and I believe there are some great stories waiting to be told outside of L.A. I hope this blog (and eventually book) helps you tell those stories and encourages you, especially if you feel like you live in the middle-of-nowhere.
I welcome your input and suggestions. You can reach me at info@scottwsmith.com .
Thanks Scott.
I’m writing a script at the moment and I’m just finishing Act 1. Loved reading your blog and will be back time-and-time-again to read your notes. I’d love for you to stop by my blog whenever you get the time: http://chencenter.wordpress.com
But back to scripting… can’t wait to read more. I’ve got a possible blog post for you though. How does the whole Hollywood Writer’s Strike affecting us as writers… really? Does it mean that studios aren’t buying, or that writers aren’t selling? at the same time… movies and shows are being made. what’s the deal?
best regards.
Michael Joyce
Hello Michael,
There are a few writers in LA who I am talking with to get their perspective on life after the strike and will post them in the coming weeks.
But the main thing for writers (both union and non-union) is always be writing.
Check out the blog called “Screenwriter’s Head Back-to-Work” where I address this in more detail.
I’ll check out what’s going on at your blog as well.
Scott