How does a screenwriter break into the film business? Is it all about who you know or is your talent enough? How much networking, hustle, and craft does it take? Once you break in, how do you survive and sustain a career over the long haul?
In this 2 hour speaker series (that will include Q&A), screenwriter Mark Sanderson (aka @scriptcat) will take us through his journey of graduating from UCLA Film School and how he balanced various odd jobs with his writing for years until he finally established a screenwriting career. It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t glamorous. His story shows us it’s possible to live your dreams and in this discussion Mark is going to share the particulars of how he established a screenwriting career.
Thank you to Mark and everyone who attended this very special night!
Mark has written 36 screenplays in genres ranging from comedy to drama. Early on, his spec sale, the WWII indie feature “I’ll Remember April” premiered at the Palm Springs Int. Film Festival, and has since had twenty screenplay assignments that include Lifetime Network’s “An Accidental Christmas” and “Deck the Halls,” the stylish indie noir feature “Stingers,” action-packed thrillers “USS Poseidon: Phantom Below” (aka HereTV’s “Tides of War”) and SyFy Network’s “Sea Snakes” (aka Fox’s “Silent Venom”), Lifetime Network’s highly rated thrillers “Mommy’s Little Girl,” and “A Night to Regret,” and the LMN Network premieres “Mother of All Lies,” “A Wedding to Die For,” “One Small Indiscretion,”“Hunted by My Ex,” “Family Vanished,” and the upcoming thriller “My Daughter Vanished.”
In addition to his screenwriting work, Mark is also a script doctor, screenplay consultant, and author of the book, A Screenwriter’s Journey to Success: Tips, tricks and tactics to survive as a working screenwriter in Hollywood published last year on Amazon.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 25th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
WHERE: 5628 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601
COST: $25.00
Tickets ONLY sold online here. Limited seating available. NO tickets at the door.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mark Sanderson (aka @scriptcat) is a Los Angeles based screenwriter, author, script consultant and sometimes actor blessed to be living his childhood dream of making movies with thirty-six screenplays written in genres ranging from comedy to drama. His work ranges from his sketch comedy writing and performing as a founding member with The Amazing Onionheads, writing for MTV, to his spec sale, and twenty screenplay assignments with television premieres and worldwide distribution of his fourteen emotionally compelling films— the WWII indie feature “I’ll Remember April,” Lifetime Network’s “An Accidental Christmas” and “Deck the Halls,” the stylish indie noir feature “Stingers,” action-packed thrillers “USS Poseidon: Phantom Below” (aka HereTV’s “Tides of War”) and SyFy Network’s “Sea Snakes” (aka Fox’s “Silent Venom”), Lifetime Network’s highly rated thrillers “Mommy’s Little Girl,” and “A Night to Regret,” and the LMN Network premieres “Mother of All Lies,” “A Wedding to Die For,” “One Small Indiscretion,”“Hunted by My Ex,” “Family Vanished,” and the upcoming thriller “My Daughter Vanished.”
Mark’s films have premiered on Lifetime Network, LMN, SyFy, Fox, HereTV, HBO Canada, Christmas 24, NBC/Universal, The Movie Network, and have been distributed globally. His films have been recognized at festivals including a premiere and opening the Palm Springs Int. Film Festival, premieres at the Hawaii Int. Film Festival, St. Louis Int. Film Festival, The Rainbow Festival in Hawaii, Newport Beach Int. Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale Int. Festival, and nominated for the Starboy award at the Oulu Int. Children’s Film Festival in Finland.
Mark’s long association with award winning Hollywood filmmakers dates back to his first produced screenplay and has since worked with Academy Award® winning producers, veteran directors, and has written films starring Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, and Emmy® acting nominees and winners. Mark is also a screenplay consultant and his new book, “A Screenwriter’s Journey to Success” is now available on Amazon.
His website is: Fiveoclockblue.net
Film Courage interview with Screenwriter Mark Sanderson on Youtube here.
TESTIMONIALS FROM MARK SANDERSON’S FILM COURAGE INTERVIEW:
“I work in manufacturing and lost myself a very long time ago. Recently I started to believe again and listening to someone like Mark really is motivating for those of us working physically demanding jobs and juggling writing plus family in our spare time.“
“Mark is such a fountain of information and is extremely generous with his advice and approach to the industry. After watching a short interview with him on your channel the other day I purchased his book and delved into his blog. His integrity, his manners, his optimistic approach, are all something that is so rare if not non-existent. I remember watching many interviews here of others who are full of negativity. As if writing is not hard enough, I thought to myself, and could not continue watching. Mark is such a breath of fresh air. A rare bird, truly.“
“I enjoy watching Mark giving us his thoughts and talking about his writing process. Since he’s out there fighting the good fight, it helps us novice “boxers” get prepared and get our heads ready for the game.”
“I like Mark a lot, he’s got this cool attitude and sounds like he knows his stuff.”
“Incredible insight and advice.“
“Mark always offers excellent advice…a screenwriter’s screenwriter.“
“Always a pleasure to hear Mark. Never ceases me to cheer me up.“
“Just love his take on the business. He’s my cyber-mentor, I guess. Thank you for sharing his pearls with us all. We all remain hopeful and encouraged through his advice.“
“I really like this guy. I’m just a blue-collar worker but when I listen to him speak, he makes me feel like the 40 years of struggle I’ve gone through and losses I’ve had, is content that people will some day want to read. He’s just plain real. Probably my favorite speaker so far. Thanks for sharing.“
“Mark’s awesome. Tons of experience and knows the discipline and life of a writer. He even answered some of my questions on another Film Courage video. (Thanks guys!) I wish him all the best.“
“This guy is so wise. Never put an expiration date on you dreams and don’t let others project their fear onto you.“
“OK! I LOVE this guy! I’m 4 minutes in and its so great to hear some down to earth inspiration from a dude whose worked for it for real. I’m struggling with the day job/creative balance at the moment and this video has made my bloody day! Thanks guys.“
Have questions about this event? Contact us here.
