Hello,
And welcome to the August newsletter for Jen Grisanti Consultancy.
I'd like to dedicate this month's newsletter to the celebration of story.
Story comes to us in so many different forms and whether the genre is drama, comedy, reality, docudrama or dance, story has the potential to touch our hearts and make us feel.
In coordinating my first seminar on story I've realized what a difference story makes in all of our lives. I feel so grateful to be working in a business that deals with the telling of story and the talented writers and directors out there who continue to inspire us on a daily basis with their ability to live life, experience the ups and downs, reflect on it and pass their stories on through their craft.
As part of my preparation for the seminar, I've done a ton of research. I've been reading every key book available on the subject of story, taking related seminars, sending my questionnaires to studio/network executives and agents to find out what is important to them about story, and reflecting on all the incredible episodic television I've had the privilege of working on and the great storytellers with whom I've had the honor of working.
The September seminar will benefit anyone who wants to learn more about story including writers and directors, and I highly recommend it to agent/manager trainees as a way of understanding and exploring what makes a strong script. Joining me for the one-day seminar are the very talented Elisa Roth, Sr. VP Drama Programming Universal Media Studios, feature executive, Gaylyn Fraiche, VP of Development at Martin Chase Productions and I am honored to announce that Glen Mazzara, Executive Producer/Showrunner of the upcoming television show Crash will also be a guest speaker.
The event will be held at UCLA on September 20, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The room I booked in De Neve Plaza is GORGEOUS. It seats 150 - 300.
To learn more and purchase a spot, please go to www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com. Just go to the home page and scroll down.
STORY SHINING THROUGH IN VARIOUS MEDIUMS:
FOREIGN FILM
In thinking about my favorite writing story-wise, I have to mention a film that I consider one of the best ever made, THE LIVES OF OTHERS. It was written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and won the 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Film. The depth of story, and the strength of the characters and the journey they go on is phenomenal. If you missed it in the theatres, you should definitely get the DVD. You will love it and you will love me for telling you about it!
Personally, I'd love to see this guy create a television show.
REALITY SHOWS/DOCUDRAMA
I have to point out two shows that really moved me this month and told story in unique ways.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
This show is so incredible this year with some of the best dancers and choreographers on it that I've ever seen. The stories told through dance make you feel every emotion in the book. But the main emotion I'm left with is JOY. The production value is also fantastic! The finale is tonight on Fox.
HOPKINS
This docudrama on ABC is outstanding. I am seriously addicted to it. It follows a group of doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The stories it explores compel us to consider all the gifts life offers us as well as takes us into some truly vulnerable moments where our courage is tested. The finale is tonight on ABC.
If you missed any episodes, go to ABC.com. You won't be sorry.
EPISODIC TELEVISION
Matthew Weiner and MAD MEN represent incredibly strong storytelling talent on television. The last episode of the first season was seriously one of the best hours of television ever made. I applaud his talent.
If you have not seen the first season of MAD MEN, you can get it On Demand and i Tunes. The new episodes have started on AMC.
My second shout out television wise would have to go to Daniel Cerone and his work on DEXTER. I think the characters and the structure on this show are truly inspiring. To delve into the life of a serial killer who kills serial killers and make him heroic and likeable is completely fascinating. The series excels in exploring the dark side that is in all of us and bringing it to the naked light.
Networking is everything in our business - everything along with story, that is. It is such an important part of the process of getting hired.
As many of you know, I have a networking night the first Friday of every month for entertainment professionals at the X Bar in the Century Plaza Hotel. It is located at 2025 Ave. of the Stars. The X Bar is a fantasic venue. They have a beautiful restaurant as well as an outside patio with a ton of seating. It has great ambiance to meet people. Usually, 150-200 show up each month. I've heard many stories about new opportunities including staffing, pitching and signing with new representation coming out of this event.
The next one is on Friday, September 5, 2008. It starts at 7:00 p.m. and goes to 11:00 p.m. If you know people who would benefit from this, please have them e-mail me at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com and I will add them to the evite list. I also have the event listed on Facebook.
GREAT SPOTS FOR MEETINGS
Mani's Bakery
519 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-8800
I LOVE this place. The food is healthy yet absolutely delicious. One of my favorites include the Turkey-Apple wrap. It also has mango in it. Who knew that mango and turkey could be so yummy! You will die when you taste it. It is one of those meals that will keep bringing you back. I also LOVE their cherry almond scone, their cherry pie, their black/white coffee drink and their white peach tea!
LITTLE NEXT DOOR
8142 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 951-1010
This place has a devine ambiance. It feels like you're in Paris at a French Bakery. The menu is delicious. I love the trio salad and the Moroccan mint ice tea. Their bakery items look mouth watering.
POEM OF THE MONTH
Eternal Echoes
Our life is an echo,
Of our spirit today,
Of our essence
As it is,
Caught between our yesterday
And our tomorrow.
It is resounding
Reality of who we are,
As a result of
Where we have been,
And where we will be
For Eternity.
Written by Mattie Stepanek
At the time he wrote it, he was 10 and dealing with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. He died in 2004 but he left us with his stories. You can read more of his poems in Journey Through Heartsongs and many other books.
To me, this is a beautiful example of the power of story and how we experience our lives and pass it on.
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