Category Archives: screenwriting

Storymakers have Deadlines

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“A dream is a goal with a deadline” ~ Napoleon Hill  

Time is running out! Rocky Mountain Public Broadcast System’s (RMPBS) writing contest for sixth, seventh and eighth graders will be accepting submissions until October 12th. There is only one month left to wrap up those stories. Parents and teachers, encourage your students to  write and participate!

The winners will enjoy having lunch with local radio personality and Colorado authorDom Testa and finalists will also win prizes. Dom Testa is a pretty neat guy! I’ve had the pleasure of hearing him speak several times at the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA). His Big Brain Club supports creativity in students, making excelling as a student “cool.” For more information on this 50l(3) C foundation, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/OjxLoQ.

To obtain a copy of the rules of the Storymakers Contest and a submission application, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/OUGUXH.

Good luck to all students and remember your child can not win if they do not participate!

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Screening Half the Sky

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“No woman is required to build the world by destroying herself.”        ~Rabbi Sofer

Economic empowerment, education and good healthcare for women are solutions that make a difference between opportunity and oppression. The film , Half the Sky: Turning Opression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, is an adaptation of the book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It  focuses on six celebrity activists and their work to rebuild lives after a women’s integrity and self-esteem has been taken away by violence and brutality. Click for info & ordering Half the Sky

On Wednesday, September 12th at 6:30 pm Half the Sky will be screened at the Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The film is  part of the Women & Girls Lead program for Independent Lens through PBS. It will be followed by a discussion of the issues that are highlighted in this movie. Anyone is invited to join in the screening and the dialogue afterward.

 

This film is being sponsored by the Bud Werner Memorial Library, the Yampa Valley University Women and Tasaru Girls School Fund, a non-profit that works to help educate Masai girls and women.

If you do not live in the vicinity of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, you will still have a chance to see it. It will be broadcast on October 1st and 2nd, 2012 on PBS channels. Look for the air times in your local TV program schedule.

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Inspirational Film Shorts

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 “A film is a petrified fountain of thought.”~ Jean Cocteau

It’s been a reflective week, I guess because of my birthday. I’ve had some meaningful discussions with my mother and I guess that has led to introspection.

While in the mood for “self-examination,” I’ve tracked down some new inspirational films, all “shorts” for this Film Friday. Have you seen them?

    • Signs

Click for Info & Ordering

    • Marry Me

Click for info & ordering

    • Clocktower
    • Wrong Side of the Bed

Click for info & ordering

    • Validation

Click for info & ordering

Stay tuned! Next week I will be featuring a book, a new release, that I really enjoyed. It sent me on a journey remembering back to an unforgetable and controversial era in my life.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Film about Nature and Wild Horses

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“…and God took a handful of southerly wind, blew his breath over it and created the horse.” ~ Bedouin legend

Once again, it is Film Friday. Today we will put the spotlight on another award-winning documentary that has been aired on PBS.

The independent film, Wild Horses in the Winds of Change, by Sky Dancer Productions challenges us to think about nature and the treatment of wildlife, particularly wild horses. Horse lovers who know equines intimately say these sensitive creatures teach mankind about their own humanity, yet there are some people who place little value on the bond between these animals and people.Click for more information and ordering the film

What responsibility does man have to protect the wild species of horses as part of the natural world around us? Should we change our thoughts and actions towards horses who roam the earth in freedom?

A prestigious premiere opening at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood indicates that the Wild Horses in Winds of Change was worthy of drawing a good audience and had appealing elements on many levels.

Essentially this film is a plea to all inhabitants of the earth to protect wild horses from obliteration. Filmmaker, photojournalist, screenwriter and film director Mara LeGrand, PhD’s brings insight to this film from her career in holistic health.

Wild Horses in the Winds of Change is now available on DVD and can be ordered through this site. http://bit.ly/aEEsva.

Equine enthusiasts are encouraged to see this film and speak out against what many see as atrocities that are being committed against wild horses.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime – Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected
www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

The Real Deal in Albuquerque

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According to the L.A. Times, the city of Albuquerque, NM is the “next best haven for filmmakers.” As mentioned in the Times article, a sign that hangs in the city’s airport proclaims Albuquerque as “Hollywood’s newest home.” To read more about the filmmaking culture that is growing in the Sandia Mountains, thanks to financial incentives from the State, please visit this link.http://lat.ms/fEXR2. 

There is a competition among filmmakers in Albuquerque and other cities called the 48 hour film project. During this incredibly short time given to write, shoot, edit and “score” their production, there is high pressure on the producers to finish their “short”. Teamwork skills are put to the test, as well as creativity. In 2012, over 50,000 filmmakers participated producing 4,000 films on 6 continents in 120 cities. For more information on the 48 hour film project, please visit this link.http://bit.ly/OnBB0D.

One of the best films that came out of Albuquerque, NM was The Real Deal, by Lindele Media. Their film won five awards in this season’s contest.

  • Best director
  • Best use of a Character
  • Best Original Song
  • Runner-up Film (2nd place)
  • Best male actor (Bernardo) 

The Real Deal, is a 7 minute “short,” by next generation filmmakers who are striving to become some of the best on the planet. Inconceivable to me, that within a 2 day period a film, so professional in quality, can be produced.  Today’s digital equipment and software and people who know how to make the most out of using it makes it possible.

 Congratulations to all who were involved in the award winning 48 hour film project crafted by Lindele Media – from the writer and actors, to director  and the editor/colorist to the production assistants. A few of these people work at Reelz Channel.

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Adding Color to Life and Movies

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 Psst……I am going to let you in on a secret, I have very limited understanding of what my son does in his career. The other night, I talked to him after almost two months of silence (except for an e-mail of one or two sentences) because he has been so busy. That’s a good thing – I’m not complaining. It means he is finding fulfilling things in what he is doing and that makes me happy. 

For many adults in my generation, being “in communicado”  may seem a little odd. According to an article I just read, my generation is filled with hovering parents of adult children who find it difficult to let go and let their kids live their own lives. http://bit.ly/7y1k85.  Don’t think I can be accused of that since we don’t speak once a day, once a week and occassionally not even once a month. I am not an errant parent, just letting my adult child spread his wings and grow in his career and life. It does not mean that we don’t have a close relationship. As they say, “Children hold their mothers hands for a short time, and their hearts forever.”  Or is it ” Mothers hold their childrens hands for a short time and their hearts forever?”

 I do have fulfilling feelings as a parent, however,when my husband and I are the first people our son calls when he is excited about something, has concerns, some information to share or he just wants to talk.

Curious what our conversation was about the other night? It is full of promise. With my son’s permission, I am going to share it. Here is a link that will let you in on our secret. For his sake,  I hope this film project comes to fruition.  http://www.indiegogo.com/ThoseWhoWait. 

What is the part he plays in this production? He is a visual effects artist, specifically a colorist. Not sure what that is? Neither was I, I had to look into it . http://bit.ly/KHabA. 

Now, I have a better idea of what to talk about next time he calls. I already knew he is involved with bright people, inspiring landscapes and scenery, vivid imaginations and a range of creative ideas. The life of an artist and  elements for good filmmaking. http://brewingdigital.com/.

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Worldwide Interest in Indie Publishing

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“It is not in the pursuit of happiness we find fulfillment, it is in the happiness of pursuit.” ~ Denis Waitley

What do the U.K., India, Australia, Macedonia, Russia and Canada have in common? These countries are only the start of the long list of countries that frequent this site. Over the weekend we reached a new landmark in readership – one that I would never have predicted when this blog was started. It’ s thrilling!

What does this tell us? About the internet’s ability to reach far and wide! It also tells me that independent publishing of books, films and music is, indeed, a hot topic of conversation in this age of digitally produced art content. Countries that endorse independent publishing, have common concerns. 

In July, the 2012 Yale Publishing Course will take place. Many global issues surrounding independent publishing will be addressed. The website Independent Publisher has featured an interview of YPC’s Director Tina C. Weiner. To read her interview which provides an overview of this year’s discussion, please visit http://bit.ly/I48Vd6.  To apply for the Yale Publishing course, designed for mid and upper level publishing professionals, please visit this link http://bit.ly/ln4cFX. 

Obtaining copyright permissions is just one of many issues that will be discussed at the YPC. A  perplexing and time consuming task, there are experts in this field who can steer you, such as Integrated Writer Services, LLC.  To view the website of Integrated Writers Services, LLC, please follow this link http://bit.ly/JRBnfW. 

Thank you to all readers who visit this blog site. Our objective is to share interesting, useful, and fun information for anyone who is interested in the topic of  independent publishing and finding fulfillment in the Arts. 

Return tomorrow for more independent thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

A Fulfilling Look Back

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“Feeling a part of that community is my greatest reward.” ~ Paul Parker

As I write this final blog post for the year 2011, I am taking stock of many of the exciting things that have transpired over the past year within the independent industry and in my corner of the publishing universe.

 The independent publishing industry is gaining momentum here and everywhere. In June, I formed a networking group for independent publishers in Routt County. Six months later, I am happy to report She Writes Steamboat is an affiliate member of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. We are over 30 “independents” strong, here in Steamboat. A healthy interest group, ranging from want-to-bes to newly-published to experienced publishers who are looking for support. All wish to be successful in their writing efforts and in selling their quality books. Many have new projects in the works and are exploring e-book publishing, too. Just yesterday, at our monthly SHe Writes Steamboat meeting, a bright and ambitious 16 yr old high school girl joined us. She has already published and is selling her first e-book. 

My downloadable webinar, “On the Fast Track: The Independent Publishing Industry” is now available, thanks to the Colorado Independent Publishing Association. This 18 minute presentation is offered at the reasonable price of $10. CIPA’s mission is to provide affordable opportunity for education about the industry. I am onboard with that idea, too! tp://bit.ly/oIkV2g. 

Over the past year, I have been a contributing writer for the Steamboat Today Newspaper (The Steamboat Pilot). Interviewing and featuring the work of artists in different fields – painters, an actress/producer, independent filmmakers, writers and more on this blog site, has been fun. I am thrilled and grateful for all the opportunities I have had this year. It has been so rewarding to build relationships with blog readers, too. Thank you for visiting this site!  

Over 750 blogs have been published on All Things Fulfilling. The blogs are searchable by category and I invite you to peruse the many topics that have been covered. I will return to this post right after the New Year. In the meantime, I will be planning for the upcoming year and working on something that is very near and dear to my heart – my own book!  Merry Christmas to all. I hope you had a fulfilling year, too!

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Treasured Time with a Child

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“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”  ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson 

If you visited All Things Fulfilling yesterday, I made a promise I intend to keep today. Here is a short list of my favorite children’s books, published in the 1980s ,when I was raising our young son. At the time, there was  nary whisper of the changes that were on the horizon for the publishing industry, at least not that I was aware of. Thus, the following books are mostly, if not all,  traditionally published. 

In today’s world, there are many fulfilling reads, for children and adults, published independently of the big six or seven conglomerates. What changes we have witnessed in publishing over the past ten or twelve years!  

Jan Brett’s books ranked high on our list of treasured children’s books. Living in the north country of Vermont, our family related to the Nordic themes and art illustrations that were present in most of Jan’s books:

  • The Mitten
  •  Trouble with Trolls
  •  Annie and the Wild Animals
  • Wild Christmas Reindeer

New Hampshire author, Tomie DePaolo’s books, claimed a stake in our hearts, too. My son’s love of Native American history and lore drew us to several of Tomie’s books.

  • The Legend of Indian Paintbrush
  • The Legend of Blue Bonnet
  • The Legend of the Poinsettia 

A few others to consider by various authors:

  • The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (now adapted for film)
  • The Napping House
  • The Jolly Postman
  • The Polar Express (also was adapted for film) 

Don’t forget to take time out of this busy holiday season to appreciate God’s gift to you, your child. Spending time with the little ones is far more valuable than anything you will ever find in a shopping mall! The rewards are great for both parent and child. 

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A Mysterious Relationship

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“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.”

~ Ralph W. Sockman 

Don’t you just hate it when you think you are finished your holiday shopping only to remember you need just one more thing? If you have a family on your list who lives and loves the equestrian lifestyle, there is one more worthwhile item that you will want to add to your shopping cart this year. 

Executive V.P. of Marketing from the U.S. Equestrian Foundation, Kathy Knill Meyer, has called The Lost Legend of the First Christmas “the perfect “Christmas gift” for people who wish to know more about the mystical bond between humans and horses. This book, the first in The Lost Legend Trilogy by Jo Hardesty, is a gift that will be read year after year because of the appeal it has to the heart and spirit of mankind. The inspiring tale takes children and adults alike on a horseback journey that will lead the reader to a civilization that existed during the time of the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus. 

Besides being a skilled author, Jo Hardesty managed the top three Arabian horse farms in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. As a horsewoman herself, she has known the companionship of horses her entire life. Through her fictional stories about the relationship between horses and the people who love them, she also incorporates living with faith into the storyline. 

Add this Christmas book or the entire Lost Legend Trilogy to your shopping cart. It is the perfect holiday, birthday or  “just because you’ll love it”  gift for the horse enthusiast in your life. For more information and to order, please visit http://bit.ly/vSAPTH.

Happy Holidays from Steamboat Springs,Colorado.

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