We had the privilege to drive to Winder Ga. and shoot legendary dog trainer, Ellis Howard.

Kirl Driskell of gundogbroker.com conducted a engaging and very educational interview with Ellis in the middle of majestic lakes and open fields.

It was a fantastic shoot and thanks to Scott Dunn of SonarCONNECTS for putting it all together.

We will be using this page as a basic workflow, feel free to take a look at our progress as we move along!

If you are in the Gun Dog industry you have to connect with KIRK DRISKELL and talk shop: kirk@powerdoldit.com

Samples only…

A collection of clips from our short film projects our team has been working on over the summer…Enjoy:

YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

BLANK STAGE PRODUCTIONS
404.217.6903
info@blankstageproductions.com

POOR BOY
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

HOT MUFFIN
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

WORLD WIDE DECEPTION
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

PINEBOX
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

JERSEY SHARK
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

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Video Screen Captures

Our team had the chance to shoot a promotional recruitment video series for AMEC – a leader in nuclear and solar energy.

http://www.amec.com/

Production Notes: Working alongside producer Rand Cabus we knew that AMEC wanted a series of videos highlighting the excitement that people have working there. The video will be used to attract new employees to this growing company. The Blank Stage team spent the day at their corporate headquarters, meeting and capturing many key players on the team. We scouted out different locations and tried to show off their scenic environment all the while working on a tight shooting schedule.

A collection of clips from our short film projects our team has been working on over the summer…Enjoy:

YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

BLANK STAGE PRODUCTIONS
404.217.6903
info@blankstageproductions.com

POOR BOY
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

HOT MUFFIN
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

WORLD WIDE DECEPTION
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

PINEBOX
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

JERSEY SHARK
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

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The hospital is a perfect fit to the growing population and has attracted some great doctors.

Scott Dunn of SonarCONNECTS has done a tremendous job making this all come together.

Enjoy our progress of this project right here!

A collection of clips from our short film projects our team has been working on over the summer…Enjoy:

YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

BLANK STAGE PRODUCTIONS
404.217.6903
info@blankstageproductions.com

POOR BOY
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

HOT MUFFIN
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

WORLD WIDE DECEPTION
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

PINEBOX
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

JERSEY SHARK
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

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YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

BLANK STAGE PRODUCTIONS
404.217.6903
info@blankstageproductions.com

POOR BOY
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

HOT MUFFIN
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

WORLD WIDE DECEPTION
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

PINEBOX
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

JERSEY SHARK
Screen Captures and Behind the Scene Stills

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Meet-up Website | Fanpage

We recently had the chance to sit down with one of the FILMAtlanta leaders, Cynthia Collins, and discuss her vision for FILMAtlanta!  Cynthia is on a serious mission to help bring the community closer together. Her visions align with those of Blank Stage and have recently formed a unique alliance that will yield some fantastic projects for a long time.

So Cynthia, please tell us about yourself!

My partner, comedian/actor Darryl Moore, introduced me to the art of filmmaking in 2007. Casting caught my attention because I worked in Recruiting.  I was used to finding “right types”. I got my first gig in casting when a friend asked me to help fill seats for Eddie Griffin’s Freedom of Speech DVD.  I went on to cast the Christmas production at our church that year (over 15,000 active members), and as you can imagine, the call and the auditions were outrageous!  Since then, I’ve cast a SAG feature filmand several independent reality shows, shorts, webisodes, and stage productions. I’m also attached to a couple of union film and stage productions in development, and serve as a Casting Director for
FILMAtlanta productions.

What is FILMAtlanta?

FILMAtlanta is a non profit organization on a mission to provide quality education on all aspects of filmmaking by providing training, meetings, and post production facilities. We also seek to engage Atlanta actors, writers, directors and videographers in the production and delivery of feature length, shorts, animated, webisode, commercial, industrial, and documentary production. FILMAtlanta Meetups are held once a month and are open to the public, admission is $5.

Why did you start the group?

Well, I didn’t start the group. The FILMAtlanta meetup was formed in 2003 by Jimmylee Smith. Apparently, it was a popular networking and screening resource in the Atlanta film community during the 5 years he ran it. Unfortunately, Jimmylee had to drop the meetup in late 2008 and a local teacher/screenwriter named Eric Coker took it over in May, 2009.  Eric decided to move to LA in June, 2010 to pursue his career, and asked me to take over the group since I was already the Assistant Organizer.  By that point, I had become attached to the group, and many in the group had become attached to me too.  I almost felt obligated to maintain it.  More importantly, I could see the possibilities … there were so many major developments in the Atlanta film industry and this was a perfect opportunity to leverage ourselves.

What is your overall vision?

That FILMAtlanta be a premiere gateway to the Atlanta film community. A one stop shop for actors and filmmakers relocating to Atlanta or who reside in Atlanta, to receive training, resources, and networking… from students to professionals.

What do you find most exciting and most challenging about the industry in Atlanta?

Most exciting?  I’m excited about how Atlanta is quickly developing into a major hub in the film and entertainment industry. Hollywood is coming to us now!

What are you finding is the most challenging?

The cliche that Atlanta actors aren’t as good as LA or NY actors. Atlanta actors are skilled and trained and are being coached by expert coaches and workshops from Atlanta and LA. More actors should get auditions, and more should be hired for principal roles by these companies coming to Atlanta to film.

Where are the meetings?

Blank Stage Studios in Marietta, GA.  Every last Wednesday of each month.  This month’s meeting will be August 25th, 7:30PM.  Industry experts will be out to share their stories and tips, including Atlanta’s own succesful twin filmmakers, the Spry Brothers, and actor Tony Vaughn of Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Brown’s” and “Vampire Diaries”. To get more info about FILMAtlanta email: filmatlantaorg@gmail.com

Location: Blank Stage | 585 Cobb Parkway, Marietta GA 30060 Studio C-1

How does Blank Stage fit into all this?

Blank Stage Productions directs and oversees quality assurance and development of FILMAtlanta Productions, including filming, script development, and submissions. It’s going to be awesome! Together our resources double and we have more reach.

Contacts: filmatlantaorg@gmail.com
www.meetup.com/filmatlanta
Facebook: FilmAtlanta Meetup
Twitter: FILMAtlanta

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Networking opportunities like this present rare chances to meet new people in your field and dramatically expand your network.

Photos taken by Thomas James Spravka | Music by composer Justin Geer

Our constant interaction with industry professionals throughout the world helps us sustain and evolve. We have developed several powerful filmmaking accelerator programs for producers, writers, and actors with expert outside influence and mentorship, Blank Stage is poised.  We believe in team, the end goal and take pride in coming in on-time and under budget.  The current trend now is for original, high concept ideas and scripts, well… we got ‘em. Audiences want a film with a profound ability to change their perspectives and investors want distribution models that are staged for the next generation of multi-media audience enjoyment, we’re here.  Simply put, Blank Stage is ready.  Let’s get started!

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Production Notes: Blank Stage is in the middle of completing a project for client Prime Resins. They needed a compelling element for their website and wanted to enlist a video spokeswoman to add that personal touch. Prime Resins marketing director Don Rigby  and his team drew up the script for each of the five videos and we shot in the “Brothers Young” green screen facility.

We then enlisted the services of actress Kristen Angell Shaw to play the spokeswomen. It was our first time working with Kristen and she did a terrific job!

The script showcased a LOT of technical jargon that speaks right to their clientele and we had fun deciphering it all. We’ve worked with Don before and look forward to producing more video for Prime Resins. Look for the completed versions of these web videos to be showcased on their website soon. www.primeresins.com

Video 4 Version 3

Video 4 Version 2 (Modified)

Video 4 Version 1 (Modified)

Brent Brooks
Blank Stage Productions & ThriveAMERICA
Tel: 404.217.6903

Contact Me

The Latest: Prime Resins: Production Notes

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Facebook RSVP | RSVP

THURSDAY, JULY 15th
Blank Stage, Brothers Young & Meeting of the Minds Announce: NAMELESS – Film & Media Industry night @ Blank Stage
No one leaves without a name

585 COBB PARKWAY SOUTH, MARIETTA GA. 30060

ATLANTA ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: Producers, Investors, actors, filmmakers, artists, music, media, PR, website developers, video game developers, screenwriters, and cool business owners are welcome. Innovative ideas converging. Minds melting. Deals happening. Creativity flowing.

What do you think will happen?

How are you going to connect others?

Looking for sponsors and those that want to have their projects highlighted: contact info@blankstageproductions.com

ACTORS: Be sure to bring your headshots.

WRITERS: Bring your one-sheeets

FILMMAKERS: Bring your demo reel or trailer for your projects – we will be showcasing them online.

ALL: Be aggressive. Know what you want and go after it. Look for the ways you can be of service and have FUN!

ONSITE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER: Thomas James Spravka | http://www.facebook.com/thomasjamesphotovideo
“I am magnetically attracted to people exercising their creativity. My life’s passion is to capture imagery that mirrors the essence of their endeavors.”

In the meantime, check out the improv Dojo! Improv comedy class at its craziest. http://blankstageproductions.com/studio/improv/

Never been to the fantastic world?
http://www.thefantasticworld.com/
“See the Green Screen Studio, the fantastic sets and new stuff being constructed!”

The Blank Page Screenwriting Group
http://blankstageproductions.com/studio/blank-page/

Owner of Blank Stage Productions, Brent Brooks has served as a Director and Executive Producer in the film and television industry for well over 12 years with commercial work appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “Regis and Kelly”.

‘Art of Suicide’, winner of the “Best Underground Film” award at last year’s Indie Fest, is Brooks’ second independent feature film and showcases his talent as an “actor’s director”. Brent and the Blank Stage teamed just wrapped on “Between Love & A Hard Place” a faith -based film that features “Thelma” from the his TV show Good Times, Irone Singleton the villain from ‘The Blind Side’ and R&B Gosbel singer, Canton Jones. Brooks was also honored with a “Davey Award” by the International Academy of the Visual Arts for his documentary The Artisan Resource Center: A Creative Enterprise.

Using the story structure outlined in “Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” Brooks has pioneered a new film brainstorming technique called “ImprovAstorm”. Brent also manages “The Blank Page” screenwriting meetings and the “Under Budget”, producer’s meetings. Brent and a team of filmmakers are currently in-development of several exciting projects.

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Invested.In

Ever wanted to get some capital for your creative projects. If you are like me and my team then then answer is a resounding yes. Getting capital for projects has to be one of the most difficulty and laborious processes known to man. What filmmaker wants to go around and raise money when they could be on set making movies. While Invested.In doesn’t promise a rags to riches story for you, it can and does streamline the process of raising capital in the new digital age. Aren’t a filmmaker? DOn’t worry – the beauty of Investin.In is that it can help with just about any endeavor. I am thrilled to share with you my interview with founding member, Alon Goren.

Watch Alon get all worked up while giving his 5 tips for a successful crowdfunding campaign.

To someone who knows nothing about Invested.In what would you tell them?

Apparently, we haven’t met!  :-)  Invested.in is a place to help you raise money and awareness for your cause, business, idea, endeavor or in your case, film project.  We help you manage your whole campaign from A to Z.

So how does it work exactly, I am like a fifth grader here?

Basically, we have a “project wizard” that guides you through the whole process and makes it extremely simple.  You explain your goal, you define and explain what you are willing to give in return (usually products or services), you customize the ‘look and feel’ of your project page and then you publish it.  Once published, you can use our Facebook application, Twitter application or any of our other sharing tools to share your project amongst your friends, family and supporters.  They “invest” in your project.  Once you reach your goal, we also give you the tools to export your details to help you return what you’ve promised and add all of your supporters to your address book or email list.

How does one leverage their social media to build awareness and how does the integration work with facebook, twitter, etc?

A great Invested.in project, paired up with our sharing tools can definitely spread the word about your film and help you gain a following.  When you link your account with Twitter, all of your project activities are automatically tweeted for you.  When you receive an investment, all of your followers will find out.  It helps people feel a part of your project and compels them to follow your path to success.  Our Facebook application lets anyone add your project to their Facebook page.  We’ve also integrated Facebook’s “Like” functionality witch allows Facebook users to “Like” your project.  When they do this, all of THEIR friends see it and it helps spread the word about your project.  We also have all of the normal sharing tools to allow you to e-mail your friends and post “one-off” messages to MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc…  We also give you the tools to manage your daily statistics and directly see the outcome of your sharing.

Have there been any success stories you can share with us?

We created the first successful project on the site.  We decided to launch at a big tech startup conference called DEMO.  Our only problem was that we, like most people starting up, didn’t have the cash on hand to pay for it.  So what we did, was convince them to let us pay in installments, and our on stage demo at the conference, was me, creating a project on Invested.in to pay for it!  The project lasted one month and we raised over $10,000.

Besides our project, there have been a bunch of other successes in the last few months.  You can witness, and maybe even be inspired to help some of our most successful projects, as they reach their goals here.

Why do you think this business model will last?

I believe that as long as people are innovative and forward-thinking, models like ours will continue to grow and expand.

Think about the types of films you’re passionate about.  Some of those types of films are nowhere near the mainstream.  Going to a studio, bank or investor to help you create a film like that would probably prove to be fruitless.  You might personally know a small group of people in your town that are into those types of films as well, but together you might not have the dough to produce the film of your dreams.  Utilizing our product, and the power of the internet, you can essentially “bridge the gap” and spread the word and find pockets of supporters all over the globe that are into your genre, idea, etc…  What might have been a dream could easily become reality because all pooled together, your fringe interest group has now become a unified market.

Why is this website exciting for filmmakers and how can filmmakers best use the site?

Filmmakers are loving the site because filmmakers need a few basic things that we help them acquire.  Filmmakers need an audience and filmmakers need production money.  If if they find a way to create their film for next to nothing, they still need to find a way to distribute, pay for duplication, equipment, festival submissions, etc…  Most filmmakers are on their own these days, and we give them the tools to create their own destiny.

Do some offers work better then others? Any tips on bettering the chances of getting funding?

Every project is different, and some things work better for different audiences.  As a “project owner”, the best thing you can do is create a project that explains all of the details of your film, includes pictures, video, and is extremely genuine.  Sell yourself.  Don’t pretend to be something you are not, and don’t ask for things you wouldn’t be willing to do for someone else.  You might give $100 to your best friend for a DVD of their film, but you won’t do that for a stranger.  Be realistic, be optimistic, and be persistent.  Some of the best projects with the coolest rewards don’t go far because they are not regularly shared by their project owners.  I recently created a video called “5 tips for a successful crowdfunding campaign.”  Check out that video, I get all worked up and (hopefully) give some good advice!  :-)

Anything else you can tell us?

Thank you so much for reading this and giving me the chance to talk about Invested.in.  As you can probably tell, I am really excited about the site and I hope it can help some of you reach your goals and dreams.  If you have ANY questions at all, or would like specific advice for your campaign, contact me.  I’d love to help.

Watch Alon get all worked up while giving his 5 tips for a successful crowdfunding campaign.

………
Award winning director and owner of Blank Stage Productions, Brent Brooks has served as a director and a producer in the film and television industry for well over 12 years.

‘Art of Suicide’, winner of the “Best Underground Film” award at last year’s Indie Fest, is Brooks’ second independent feature film and showcases his talent as an “actor’s director”. Brent and the Blank Stage teamed just wrapped production on “Between Love & A Hard Place” a faith -based film that features Thelma from the his TV show Good Times, Irone Singleton the villain from ‘The Blind Side’ and R&B Gosbel singer, Canton Jones. Brooks was also honored with a “Telly Award” by the International Academy of the Visual Arts for his documentary “The Artisan Resource Center: A Creative Enterprise”.

Brooks has pioneered a new film brainstorming technique called “ImprovAstorm,” manages “The Blank Page” screenwriting meetings and created “Under Budget,” the filmmaker accelerator course. Brent and a team of filmmakers are currently in-development of several exciting projects.

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No BullScript Consulting

Becoming a member of the the Independent Filmmakers and Screenwriters has lead to me to meet some amazing and talented people. As you may or may not know everything starts with a great script. It is the films “Bible” or blueprint for success. A great script will enrapture the imaginations of the actors so they can let their imaginations run amuck with character development, it inspires the director to create a unique and powerful vision and it breeds confidence for all that work on the project. This is why the work that script consultants such as Daniel Manus is so important. Getting the professional opinion on your script from someone like Daniel is huge stepping stone to part of the final proces of getting your script ready for market.

Please enjoy and takes notes of our interview with script consultant Daniel Manus:

“No BullScript” love the name!  But why such vulgar language?

Haha, well if you think that’s vulgar, then you may want to rethink Hollywood. Haha. Actually, the name came about because of a class I teach called the No B.S. Guide to Pitchfests, which was based on an article I had written by the same name that got published in a few places. And I’ve always been a really blunt, honest guy – I have been known to stick a foot in my mouth on occasion and say things others are only thinking. And No BullScript was just the clever wordplay that came from that. But, everyone seems to love the name – I do! And I think it describes me perfectly – honest, blunt, and wickedly clever. Haha.

What else can you tell us about yourself?

Hmm, well I grew up in a comically dysfunctional household on Long Island and always loved to write. I went to school to study journalism but soon found that not creative enough – plus I got into a huge fight with the editor of the school paper, so I turned to the TV station, and realized my passion for writing TV and film. I have always been a TV whore – I still am – so I changed my concentration to screenwriting. And when I moved out to LA to start my TV writing career, no one was hiring PA’s. So, I took an assistant job at a feature company, was being mentored by my boss, a prolific writer named J.S. Cardone (The Covenant, Prom Night, etc.), and then started getting promoted and running their development and loved it. So, I stopped writing my own stuff and started fixing everyone else’s and found a new track for my career- development. I am a huge procrastinator, so to not have to set deadlines for myself while still having the ability to be creative and write was perfect for me…Oh, and I love dogs but don’t currently have one.

So how did you convert from being a development executive now into to script consulting?

Well, I worked as a development exec at a few different companies, but all indies, which equals not much pay. So I was working as a script reader on the side for a few companies but never loved the way they structured their notes or held back on comments. So, after leaving Clifford Werber Productions (with whom I still work as a producer), the job market for execs was incredibly tough so I decided to launch my own script consulting company so I could say what I want, how I wanted to say it, and hopefully find and help some great talent.

Tell us about your services, why should a screenwriter hire you to receive their coverage?

Well, I like to say there are 3 types of consultants – the Simons, the Randys, and the Paulas. The Paulas tell you you’re fantastic and everything you do is great, the Randys hem and haw and fill the page with nonsense that doesn’t really help you and you, and then there are the Simons. The Simons are a bit more blunt and honest and critical, but they know what they are talking about and they are respected for that. And they’re usually right. Now, I’d never be as mean as Simon Cowell, but I would rather give you 4 pages of what to change to improve your writing and your script then 4 pages of what you did right just to boost your ego and get your repeat business.

But even more than that, I approach my clients’ scripts from a different perspective than other companies. I craft my notes from the Executive Perspective. And that’s who you’re going to be submitting your scripts to anyway, so you’re getting comments from a perspective that can really help improve the chances of selling your script. Of course I go through all the story elements – a 20 point grading system actually – but the last questions I ask myself before giving the project a recommendation, are “would I pass this on to my boss,” and “would I put my name on this?”

And the other reason to hire me is that I am very reasonably priced and can create a package for every writer and their project and offer lots of different services, not just notes. I do query letters, pitches, synopses, brainstorming sessions, and mentoring. And I read everything myself – there’s no farming out to anonymous readers!

Why are you so direct with your clients, I mean, what about their feelings?

I love writers. I came out to Hollywood to write. And I never forget that. But, some writers are used to living in their own dream worlds and sometimes they need someone to pull them back down to reality and say ‘No, your epic period piece satire about Hitler being an alien and making love to his grandmother can’t sell – so stop writing that!’ I never ever try to hurt anyone’s feelings – I’m not cruel or mean – I’m just honest. If you have a great idea but you’re not sure what to do with it, I want to help give you options and get it to a great place. But if your idea is completely without any merit and your writing reads like a 3rd graders’, then I want to save you the blood, sweat, tears, money and time and tell you that maybe this isn’t the right (write) way to go.  And in the 14 months No BullScript has been running, I have never had a client not appreciate that. And almost all of my clients come back with a second script. In fact, I was recently ranked in the top 15 “Cream of the Crop” script consultants by Creative Screenwriting Magazine! So I must be doing something right.

Some first time filmmakers don’t really go about the business of working that hard on their scripts, they just go and shoot, what would you say to them?

I say that’s fine, but then they can’t complain that Hollywood produces a bunch of crap. Without a good script, it doesn’t matter how good the acting or the directing or the visual effects are. If you are a director who wants to shoot a movie but you can’t write, then find someone who can instead of half-assing it yourself. It’s only going to hurt you in the long run.

What separates the good scripts from the bad ones? Are you seeing a common thread?

There are a million things that separate good from bad – poor structure, unclear tone, a boring story, confused demographic, unrelatable characters, dialogue that doesn’t feel genuine, stakes that aren’t high enough, etc.  And I do find some common threads and I think the two biggest ones are; 1. The writer hasn’t found his or her voice so the script doesn’t read as original or interesting or memorable. And 2. The writer hasn’t done their research so they don’t realize that their script is unsellable or unoriginal. My advice to writers is “knowing is half the battle” – so if they aren’t reading the trades, or the news, or what’s selling, or what’s doing well at the box office, then they will be clueless about their scripts’ chances in the marketplace. If they don’t know what types of scripts win contests, then they won’t know if their story is worth entering.

But the real question is – what separates the good scripts from the GREAT ones? But that’s a whole other story.

Why so many sequels? Nothing seems to be that original these days. There are some great exceptions but it seems much more emphasis is on the sequels, the remakes, the retold stories.

Well, I think that might turn around soon. But this happened because the spec market died for a while (it’s still on life support) and studios were scared to take a gamble on new, original material with new, unknown writers (and actors and directors), so they started to rely too heavily on huge name producers and agents to package material so that the studios didn’t actually have to do much work. Studios don’t want to be in the development business anymore. No one makes any money during development – you only SPEND it. So, if an agency owns the rights to a videogame and they can attach their own A-list writer, director and actor clients and sell the whole damn thing as a done deal, then the studio knows what they are going to get – it’s less risk.

Now I think “Inception,” which is totally original, is going to blow the roof off the summer box office. But yes, studios think audiences want something they recognize – a brand name, a nostalgia factor, a comic book, a videogame, a board game, a sequel, etc. And do you know why they think that? Because audiences keep going to see that crap! It’s simple supply and demand. When they stop going, studios will stop making it. And I think now after the “A-Team” and “Jonah Hex” and some other box office bombs, you will start to see a change in focus. But there are about 50 more projects like those in development, so it’s going to take a few years.

Any good screenwriting books you recommend?
Hmm, well I am partial to my own E-Book, “No B.S. for Screenwriters: Advice from the Executive Perspective,” which you can buy online by contacting me. But besides that, I’ve always been a big fan of Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat series, Marilyn Horowitz’ book on structure, and there are some great books coming out in the next 6 months or so by Pilar Alessandra and Julie Gray that you should look out for.

We run a screenwriting group here in Atlanta… Any advice as far as general guidelines I should implement for in-coming writers?

Here’s where I usually get in trouble because while I think writers groups are wonderful for networking and setting deadlines for oneself, I think sometimes it’s the blind leading the blind. Now there are some wonderful groups out there – as I’m sure yours is – you just have to make sure that the group has at least a few members who have sold something or optioned something, produced something or won a prestigious contest, had (or has) representation, and has written at least one complete script. If a writer finds that all their fellow members have less experience than they do – then why would they take their notes? You could be doing more harm than good. So, I say the pickier a writers group is, the better.

Great advice! While I am filmmaker and host the meeting we are being developed by script consultant for Rainforest films, Gina Partee, and also invite more established writers out to our group to mentor us.

Most, if not all, screenwriters would want to have a hand in producing their scripts into features. Any general advice for this kind of ambition?

Good luck. Every writer wants final say on their projects, but that’s not what happens in Hollywood even when you’re an A-List writer. If you’re a first time writer, don’t even think about making those types of demands unless you have an awesome agent, put a sellable package together through your own connections, or are financing the production yourself. If you have some credits and have been doing this a long time, then maybe you can finagle a producing credit and have more say, but it’s rare.

Oh – did we leave anything out?
Well, please check out my website www.nobullscript.net and you can follow me on twitter @nobullscript.  And I wish you all the best of luck!

- Daniel Manus

………
Award winning director and owner of Blank Stage Productions, Brent Brooks has served as a director and a producer in the film and television industry for well over 12 years.

‘Art of Suicide’, winner of the “Best Underground Film” award at last year’s Indie Fest, is Brooks’ second independent feature film and showcases his talent as an “actor’s director”. Brent and the Blank Stage teamed just wrapped production on “Between Love & A Hard Place” a faith -based film that features Thelma from the his TV show Good Times, Irone Singleton the villain from ‘The Blind Side’ and R&B Gosbel singer, Canton Jones. Brooks was also honored with a “Telly Award” by the International Academy of the Visual Arts for his documentary “The Artisan Resource Center: A Creative Enterprise”.

Brooks has pioneered a new film brainstorming technique called “ImprovAstorm,” manages “The Blank Page” screenwriting meetings and created “Under Budget,” the filmmaker accelerator course. Brent and a team of filmmakers are currently in-development of several exciting projects.

contact: Brent@blankstageproductions.com

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