Richard Walter

UCLA Screenwriting Chairman Richard Walter Offers On-Campus UCLA Screenwriting Seminar Summer 2012 (Class FTV 135A–Open to UCLA and Non-UCLA Students)

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:59:14 +0000

Here is a rare opportunity for UCLA and non-UCLA students to enroll in an on-campus screenwriting seminar with Professor Richard Walter.

It’s easier to win admission to the Harvard Medical School than a seat in Professor Walter’s legendary screenwriting seminars at UCLA. He takes you all the way, from idea to draft to studio deal. UCLA-trained screenwriters have won three Oscars and five Oscar nominations in the past four years, and written ten movies for Steven Spielberg.

The class, FTV 135A, is offered in UCLA Summer Session ‘A’.

This advanced screenwriting workshop is especially designed for the summer session and is appropriate for new writers and also for experienced writers. It is a round-table roll-up-your-sleeves-and-write seminar. There are in-class writing challenges and also analysis of in-progress script pages written by students in the class.

The class meets on UCLA’S Westwood campus for six Monday afternoons from June 25 through July 30, 2:00 to 4:50 PM. The class, listed in the online catalog of courses as “FILM TV 135A ADV SCRNWRTNG WKSHP” (more info here) is open to UCLA students and also to students who are not enrolled at UCLA. Students receive 8 credits. To enroll and register students can visit: http://www.summer.ucla.edu/EnrollRegister/overview.htm.

Behind the Screen: Getting to Know Audrey Wells

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:08:31 +0000

A writer, director and ‘89 UCLA MFA screenwriting alum, Audrey Wells shares how she got her start in the film industry and gives new writers guidance on why they should consider “making it small” in the big biz of Hollywood an accomplishment. Read the Q&A in the latest newsletter issue here.

COARSENING OF THE CULTURE: MANIFESTO OR MYTH?

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:04:43 +0000

Why write screenplays, in particular comedies, when the political season is hard upon us? Who can compete for laughs against Newt and Rick and Mitt and the whole sorry crew? They long fervently for a sweet and serene time that never was. And, if it had been, would we want to return there?

- Richard Walter

Read the feature article “COARSENING OF THE CULTURE: MANIFESTO OR MYTH?” in this month’s issue of Richard Walter’s Monthly Screenwriting Tips: http://richardwalter.com/wp-content/newsletter/newsletter19_March_2012_v3.html

Writing in Pairs: Spotlight on Writer Partners Jason Latshaw & Doc Pedrolie

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:50:20 +0000

Screenwriter Jason Latshaw is a recent graduate of the UCLA MFA Screenwriting Program. Among his many awards, Jason placed within the top 3 percent for the Nicholl Fellowship and also placed first in the Golden Brad Screenwriting Competition. In addition, he wrote and directed the short, “The Electric Chainsaw Massacre,” which served as an official selection of numerous film festivals. A married father of two and talented graphic artist by way of Philadelphia, Jason is one half of a writing team with award-winning screenwriter Doc Pedrolie. Jason writes for both film and television.

Inspired by HAROLD & MAUDE, Doc Pedrolie recently completed his MFA in Screenwriting at UCLA. While in the highly competitive program, Doc won the 2008 and 2010 Jack Nicholson Award in Screenwriting; as well the 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Screenwriting Fellowship. He has worked as a Story Analyst for Deuce Three Productions (Curtis Hanson) and Winkler Films (Irwin Winkler & Jill Cutler). A former Chicagoan, and freelance film critic, Doc is one half of a writing team with award-winning screenwriter Jason Latshaw. Doc writes for both film, television, and occasionally the stage.

Latshaw & Pedrolie are agented by United Talent Agency, managed by Circle Of Confusion and represented by Bloom, Hergott, Diemer, Rosenthal, Laviolette, Feldman, & Goodman.

Read on to see how these two writers met at UCLA, and the benefits that come from writing in pairs.

Continue reading here.

Monthly Screenwriting Tips from Richard Walter – USER POWERED LAPTOP

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:47:21 +0000

New digital toys for writers seem to debut approximately every twenty minutes. Let me to tell you, however, about one piece of equipment I keep in my office that remains unchanged for over a hundred and fifty years. – Richard Walter

– Read the feature article “User Powered Laptop” here

On Their Way Up: New Writer Profile on Jenna Milly

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:05:43 +0000

Screenwriter Jenna Milly began writing her own plays and performing them in her garage at age 12. Fast forward to 2012 – you’ll find this up and coming UCLA MFA alum at SheKnows.com as a film critic (don’t see a movie till she’s reviewed it!) and in development on several hot projects. How did Jenna make her move into the entertainment world? Click here for this newsletter issue’s Q&A and why Jenna considers herself always to be a writer at heart.

FOOTNOTE

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:02:58 +0000

Is the medium truly the message? Is there a difference in your material if you write it pen-in-hand versus typing it into a computer? How deeply does a writer’s signature come across via keystrokes rather than hand-held pencil mechanics?

- Richard Walter

Read the feature article “FOOTNOTE” in this issue of the newsletter by clicking here.

Need a Blurb? December Newsletter Highlights

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:30:00 +0000

If you want me to write a blurb for your own screenwriting book or software package, I don’t blame you. When authors approach me for an endorsement, I can’t turn anybody down. I like to think that this is the result of a generous spirit, but in truth it is also self service. Read on to find out why.

– Richard Walter

THIS ISSUE’S HIGHLIGHTS:

Newsletter Feature Article: BACKUP GIRL http://richardwalter.com/wp-content/newsletter/newsletter16_December_2011_v3.html#article1

On Their Way Up: New Writer Profile on Madeleine Holly-Rosing http://richardwalter.com/wp-content/newsletter/newsletter16_December_2011_v3.html#article2

On Their Way Up: New Writer Profile on Ryan Gilmore

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:25:59 +0000

Ryan Gilmore is an award-winning screenwriter who specializes in horror and thrillers. He won the UCLA Professional Program Screenwriting Competition as well as numerous horror film festivals. Most recently, Ryan won “Best Short Screenplay” at the 2011 Shriekfest Horror Film Festival for his script titled HEAR NO EVIL. The short film HEAR NO EVIL completed principal photography in September and is currently in post-production. Ryan also judges various screenwriting competitions, including the International Horror and Sci-fi Film Festival. He recently launched a horror and thriller script consulting service at www.screamwriting.com.

In this issue, we conduct a Q&A with Ryan, a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television’s MFA Screenwriting Program, on his experience breaking into the entertainment world and his day to day tactics as a new writer.

Continue reading…

EIGHT PRINCIPLES TO MAKE YOU A BITTER WRITER

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:25:04 +0000

That’s no typo. Not ‘better.’ ‘Bitter.’

Here are eight precepts guaranteed to turn you into a writer who is unhappy and unfulfilled.

1: Never doubt that your writing is worthy.

Eventually there arrives the second stage: an appreciation–however frail, however grudging–that we do indeed deserve a position among the pros. Sure, we’re not creating timeless poetry to expand the hearts and minds of generations unto eternity, but at the very least our stuff’s no worse than much of the drivel that’s out there.

Continue reading…