AUGUST NEWSLETTER FOR JEN GRISANTI CONSULTANCY INC.

Hello and welcome to the August newsletter for Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc.

Are giving presentations a part of your business model? Are you good at them or does the idea of public speaking terrify you?  Presenting is an art. I learned recently by reading Jerry Weissman's book, Presenting To Win: The Art of Telling Your Story, that the key to giving a successful presentation is knowing how to tell your story.  For more go to my BLOG or on The Huffington Post.

TELEVISION PITCH AND PILOT SEMINAR
The Pitch and Pilot Storywise Seminar was a huge success!  There were over 70 people there.  Thank you so much to everyone who attended and to my guest speaker, Zack Sherman of Zinc Media and Joann Klonowski for helping to coordinate it.             

TESTIMONIALS FOR PITCH AND PILOT STORYWISE SEMINAR
"Thinking about writing a TV pilot? Then you really ought to think about taking this seminar. If you're new to the writing game, you'll receive info that will save you many hours of trial and error at the computer. If you have a few scripts (or staff jobs) under your belt, you will find yourself de-jaded as you're reminded of why you started writing in the first place. Yes, Jen does do an excellent job of arming you with the basics about writing that tricky bastard we call the pilot script. But then she goes further, showing you how to draw story from your experience and the way you see the world. Which, lucky us, is exactly what Hollywood is looking for! Jen also creates a sense of community, reminding you that though we've chosen a difficult career - we're all in it together."

Jonathan Robert Kaplan, Writer
NYPD Blue, JAG, lonelygirl15

"FADE IN:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

An anxious and eclectic mix of students from all walks of life chat amongst themselves. Nervous anticipation spices their interactions.

And then she enters - JEN GRISANTI, (40s), soulful eyes, delightfully petite, and in control -

She takes the stage, pauses a minute, is it nervousness? No. Composure. She proceeds to tell two touching stories about how she got to the business. And from the moment she revealed a personal crisis that she triumphed over, she had the class. And me.

But then she stunned the class full of world-weary seminar-vets when she asked this one question -

- sum up your life in one logline. This caused a murmuring that skittered across the audience as they realized the significance of this exercise. It meant that if you reduce yourself, a three dimensional person to your core struggle, you could then use that core struggle to enhance your characters.

Simple. Subtle. Satisfying.

FADE OUT

-Hey Jen thanks again!"

Kamafi Adio Byrd
Funk Prophat FIlms

For more testimonials on the Seminar Click here

WRITER RETREAT IN HAWAII AUGUST 18-23 WITH STORYWISE SEMINAR ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, AT THE TURTLE BAY RESORT
The retreat at The Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii begins on August 18th.  For more information  visit my website. 

The Star Bulletin did a story on the event.   You can also read my blog on Writing and Yoga for The Huffington Post.


NEW PODCAST SERIES
I am thrilled to have as my next guest, Patrick Sean Smith, the Creator/Executive Producer of GREEK.  Sean's podcast is phenomenal and now available on my website or itunes.



My upcoming guest interviews include brilliantly talented Moira Kirland, Consulting Producer on CASTLE and  poignantly beautiful writer, Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art.


BOOKS
PRESENTING TO WIN:  THE ART OF TELLING YOUR STORY
Written by Jerry Weissman

This is one of the strongest books I've read about how to give a powerful presentation and how the way you tell your story can contribute to your success.  Jerry explains how to organize your presentation and reveals that one of the biggest things to think about when it comes to your audience is WIIFY, "what's in it for you."  He also helps you decide what flow structure works best for you and gives you illuminating choices of how to start it.

You can also read Jerry Weissman's blogs on The Huffington Post.

FEATURES
500 DAYS OF SUMMER
I would have to say this is my favorite movie I've seen this year in this genre.  It is a beautiful story about relationships and the crazy things we do.  It is EXCELLENT and a must see!

FRIDAY NIGHT DRINKS - REMINDER
There will be no Friday Night Drinks in September because of the Labor Day holiday.

The next Friday Night Drinks will be on Friday, October 2 at the X Bar in the Century Plaza Hotel from 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.  For updates, go to NETWORKING NIGHT under Services.

RESTAURANTS
Osteria Mozza
I LOVE this place.  I've been to the Pizzeria before but never been able to get into the Osteria.  It was a tremendous experience for the palette.  We had Rabbit, Gnocchi with wild boar ragu, Polenta (to die for!) and Cauliflower with Mint Yogurt.  It was definitely one of the best meals I've had in LA.  I lucked out and called on a Sunday and got in that Thursday, so give it a try!

Palomino
I went to the one in Westwood for a business lunch.  I walked away feeling amazed by how incredible the food was.  I had asparagus with an egg on it to start with and then for lunch, I had the black cod.  It was DELICIOUS. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION

Sublime Primetime - Emmy Nominees Panel
Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 pm
At the Writers Guild Theater - 135 S. Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills
Followed by a light reception. For more information, please click here.
TICKETS: http://mf5.attainresponse.com/mf5/link.php?M=269953&N=12070&L=30234&F=H

Changing the World: One Story at a Time
Tuesday, September 15 at 6:45pm
At the WGF/WGA offices - 7000 W 3rd St, Los Angeles
To benefit the WGF, Humanitas hosts a reception and discussion with  Kirk Ellis (Anne Frank, John Adams), Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl), John Wells (ER, The West Wing), Paris Qualles (A Raisin in the Sun) and TBA. More info here.
TICKETS: http://mf5.attainresponse.com/mf5/link.php?M=269953&N=12070&L=30235&F=H

SAVE THE DATE:  On Weds., Aug 19th @ 7 PM, the director & producers of the inspiring documentary "Defining Beauty: The Road to Ms. Wheelchair America" are hosting a celebrity fundraiser in support of the project's completion.  The film follows the journey of five contestants working to conquer stereotypes surrounding the popular definition of beauty, all while competing to be crowned Ms. Wheelchair America.  Please join us for great
networking, entertainment and a sneak peak of the film. For more details, please visit: DEFINING BEAUTY.