Hello,
And welcome to the September newsletter for Jen Grisanti Consultancy.
After being thoroughly entranced by the Olympics in August, I thought it timely to highlight the idea this month that there are no limits to what you can accomplish.
Watching NBC's coverage of the Games and seeing what Michael Phelps was able to accomplish proved more than anything that once you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Hearing the story of how Michael's teacher once told his mom that Michael will probably never amount to much because of his hyperactivity but then watching him go on to win eight medals was awe inspiring. The way that the back stories were revealed about the athletes added so much to the overall emotional experience of watching the Olympics this year. I applaud NBC, all the athletes and everyone who worked so hard to make it happen. It was a gift to all who watched.
Speaking of programs that inspire accomplishment, I was asked by NBC's, Ted Frank and Erika Kennair, to be the writing instructor for their program, Writers on the Verge. I am honored to do this and very excited to be a part of such an outstanding program for new writers. They received 600 submissions this year and the list was narrowed down to 8 finalists. I congratulate all who made the cut as well as those who had the confidence and determination to enter it.
To help inspire folks toward accomplishing their creative, professional goals, Jen Grisanti Consultancy is hosting its first seminar this month. During this seminar participants will come to see without a doubt that you can create your own destiny. If you have the knowledge, you can do anything. This one-day event is rich with opportunity to learn from others who know what it is to succeed in television and film.
I feel very blessed and humbled to have three incredibly talented guest speakers coming to share their stories of accomplishment: Glen Mazzara, Executive Producer/Showrunner of the upcoming series CRASH on the Starz network, Elisa Roth, Sr. VP of Drama Programs, Universal Media Studios and Gaylyn Fraiche, VP of Martin Chase Productions.
Working at top studios with some of the most talented people in this town was my foundation and the experiences I had were a gift. Presenting this seminar is a dream of mine and my way of giving back to others some of the valuable tools I learned along the way. I'm looking forward to this being a personal experience for all who attend, addressing whatever obstacles participants might be facing and offering solutions to work through them.
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.
To learn more and purchase a spot, please go to www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com. Just go to the home page and scroll down.
NEW TESTIMONIAL
"With her invaluable knowledge gained in the trenches of TV series production and her familiarity with all the important players in town, Jennifer Grisanti brings her clients unparalled advice and wisdom, whatever their level of experience and expertise. As a veteran writer, I was greatly impressed with the concise, helpful notes she offered to my latest spec effort. Just as important, Jennifer guided me towards the best way to repair some relationships that had frayed over the years -- she's particularly adept at translating the haiku that often passes for communication in Hollywood and serves as a great adjunct to both agents and managers."
Barry Schkolnick, Writer/Producer
Legend of the Seeker, In Justice, Law & Order
BOOKS
SPIRITUAL
While reading a ton of material in preparation for my seminar, I came across one book that is extraordinary in every way.
THE WAY OF STORY
The Craft and Soul of Writing
Written by Cathrine Ann Jones
I recommend this to anyone who is willing to dive deep to what is inside each of us and has the desire to bring it to the page. Cathrine's writing is exquisite!
BUSINESS
Apropos of knowing no limits about the power of hard work and commitment, I would like to recommend the following book:
GRIDLOCK ECONOMY
Written by Michael Heller
Michael Heller is a Professor of Real Estate Law at Columbia Law School. Michael took four years to write this book. This book is absolutely brilliant! He looks at the realities of our economy and points out the complexities of what is not working and why it's not working and manages to present it in a way that it both informative and entertaining. He shows how important story is in identifying a problem and his clarity and insight about the probem provide fertile ground for coming up with solutions.
Michael is married to Deb Cahn. Deb is an extremely talented writer on GREY'S ANATOMY. Intelligence runs in this family and I love and adore them both!
PILOT WATCH
I've been watching a lot of the pilots. There are some great new television shows coming this season!
FOX - Personally, I love FRINGE by J.J. Abrams. It's on Tuesday nights on Fox at 9:00 p.m. I think the writing, directing and cast are phenomenal. There are so many strong story elements in the pilot that I am excited to see where they're going next. Congrats to Fox for starting the new season off in a strong way!
CW - A lot of people have asked what I think of the new 90210 since I worked on the original. I think the cast is great, I think it's fun to see the old characters and I think it's definitely worth watching. The second episode had a standout performance from actress, Anna Lynne McCord. I want to give a shout out to Rina Mimoun for PRIVILEGED. It is a new show that has a lot of heart. The lead actress is great! I am a big fan of Rina's writing and I look forward to seeing where the show goes.
NEED TO NETWORK?
Networking is everything in our business. 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.
The next one is on Friday, October 3, 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.
VALUABLE WEBSITES
***InkTip Works***
InkTip.com is the only website in the world where three scripts are optioned or writers are hired every week. From the scripts/writers found on InkTip.com, at least 70 films have been produced! For example, AmberGreen Entertainment recently completed production on a script by an InkTip scribe, with Vivica A. Fox starring, and Rich Newly recently directed I Tried, starring world-famous rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and written by an InkTip scribe.
Only industry professionals who are registered and are verified by InkTip can access the site. Writers may not view other writers' works. It is $60 to place one script for six months on the website (this includes your logline, synopsis, description, treatment, and script, as well as your resume).
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
The signs -- sometimes imperceptible, at others very clear -- are all around us. But they require careful interpretation if they are to be transformed into a road map.
THE MANUAL OF THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT
Have a GREAT month!
Warmest regards,
Jen
www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com |
