Screenwriting

We thought it would be helpful to periodically summarize what’s out there to calm the storm of information that seems to be swirling around us. So here is a resource list focusing on mental health, wellness and financial assistance to help soften the impact of COVID on all our lives. 

Hey arts-loving friends! Albuquerque’s Arts Hub is raising funds for artists impacted by the pandemic. Donate at their Facebook page or at their website at http://www.abqartshub.com/relief

Filmmaker Alejandro Montoya Marin is in the finishing stages of producing his second feature, Millennium Bugs. It was supposed to screen at SXSW, and Antonio was slated to participate on a panel about independent filmmaking — but a nasty pathogen has thwarted his plans.

John Fugelsang is in Albuquerque to perform “Unpresidented: The true story of a comedian trying to raise a toddler while his country was electing one” and we were lucky enough to get him into the Pyragraph LIVE studio (a.k.a. my office) to talk about comedy, politics, religion, and how he’s pulled all those elements and more into his unique creative career. 

Beware that the Cisco Kid’s sidekick Pancho’s copyright status is not as clear. Pancho did not appear in the O Henry story and was reportedly inspired by Don Quixote’s sidekick, Pancho Sanza. His first appearance was in the 1945 film, The Cisco Kid Returns (not to be confused with the 1939 film, Return of the Cisco Kid).

Being surrounded by different indigenous people lit a spark, filled me with pride, and confirmed to me that yes, it is our time as the youth of the Native nations of America to rise up and be the generation that takes back not only our identity but our voice.

Guest Blogger Jeff Andersen: “We work with students in local classrooms for an entire year teaching them how to write and perform their own plays. I see the students make the same connections I did. They realize that they can not only participate in the world around them but also, even better, help to shape it.”

Normally you would need two permissions to sell movie action figures: permission from the copyright owner of the movie, and permission from the actor (referred to as publicity rights). Because Night of the Living Dead is public domain, there is no copyright owner from whom you’ll need permission. However, you would need permission from the actors.

Borrowing just a few passages, combined with a transformative purpose (a fictional character’s quoting of Hemingway) makes your stage play a good candidate for fair use. The trouble with our analysis is that only a court can substantiate a fair use claim.

Some of these tomes will open you like a window and let it all hang out. Others will flash some skin. Others will make you weepy, with a whopping hangover after. And, some, I can promise, you just might hate.

So, Hopeful Writer, I hope I have not come off as too snarky. The truth is, there’s a lot to be said for being able to follow instructions even though we are artists, writers, musicians, etc., who are specifically drawn to creative work which is about NOT following the rules.

I’m at the point where I love rejection. I crave it, I want it.

The Tribeca Film Festival is notorious for exploring world innovations and new ways of storytelling.

The info and agreement template in this Licensing Kit are aimed at helping filmmakers and musicians execute an agreement for a song to be included in a film or video.

Guest Blogger Nate Gubin lays down the unique style of storytelling in his comedy feature film “Search and Rescue.”

After being turned down by executives, filmmaker Franklin Killian decided to go about making his movie in 10 days with all practical lighting.