“Underground” Cast Honored & Season 2 Premiers at SCAD

by

Danielle Wilcox

ATLANTA, Georgia — Feb. 4, 2017 — Stars of the critically acclaimed breakout hit, “Underground” took center stage at SCAD’s signature television event, aTV Fest to win the Spotlight Cast Award on February 2^nd.

The hit show created by Misha Green and Jo Polaski, tackles dark days of American slavery. Stars of the show, Aldis Hodge, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Amirah Vann accepted the award along with newcomer Aisha Hinds who will be portraying Harriet Tubman.

Stars of the show gave credit to the directors for their role in the show’s success.

“They do not shy away from honesty or presenting a whole human being. No one is one dimensional”, said Vann regarding Green and Polaski.

Festival attendees were treated to an early cut of the Season 2 premiere which explores the struggle for freedom and what it means to be a citizen vs a soldier within the world of ‘Underground’ which is set in the late 1850s.

Season of Underground airs March 8^th on WGN America at 10 PM.

The 5^th annual aTV Fest runs February 2^nd – 4^th at The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and other honorees include Jennifer Morrison and Jenna Elfman.

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This story also appears on Today's Spotlight

Headshots Not Just for the Actors...

So I can't talk about what I am writing but I will talk about what else I am working on.... ramping up my personal brand.

Personal branding is key in the creative community. A head shot can create a personal ties through cyber space, distance and time. Since I am on the East Coast trying to get into a predominantly West Coast business this is especially key for me. While I have done a few head shots of myself using the timer function on my lovely Canon Rebel, I haven't yet had the experience of getting my photo taken where I receive instructions from a professional to help present me in the best possible light
(---double meaning intended). But I shall this weekend!

I can't believe I am just now about to get this done. Have I ever mentioned to you that I also own DWPV, a freelance creative brand focused on design, writing, photography, and video.  I am in the middle of a brand relaunch but customers are responding well to the new logos and focused mission. The website will be the next generation. I carefully designed my logo for that, because I knew it would be apart of my personal brand, just as my scripts are apart of my brand.  But all brands need a face too!

According to William Arruda, you should focus on the volume, relevance, purity, diversity, and validity of your brand. He refers to it as reputation, but I am a creative so I know better.


The shy girl inside of me often doesn't want to step out into center stage. I would prefer to stay behind the camera...which should be obvious as I have not posted a video blog message in months. There is a safety in being in the background with the camera in your hand, where as there is a vulnerability when your on the other side of the camera and your picture is taken.

Every freckle, scar or extra pound seems to stick out like a sore thumb to me every time in the past for graduations, family photos,  or networking events  so I got by with getting in the group pics.  It may be a side effect of looking at perfectly airbrushed images all day in movie posters and THR.

Headshots are coming my way. Who knows, a video presentation or self bio may be next. That would be a way to take this one step forward.

So does anyone have a recommendation for me in the Atlanta area for a place to get a killer headshot?

I AM IN FULL WRITING MODE

Hi Newbies,


Just wanted to check in with you and let you know I did not fall off the face of the planet. I have one week left of my screenwriting workshop left at Chez Studios and I am trying to write my little fingers to the bone before our last class so I have something to present. This 6-week workshop is brutal. Especially since the first 3-weeks are development!

I have a newfound respect for people who can write a feature script in 6 weeks. I only have to write one half hour comedy pilot episode.


#KeepWriting

- C. Danielle Wilcox

Screenwriting With the Newbie Ep.5: Juggling Life

The struggle is real ya'll...





The music featured in this episode is Frank Ocean "Hero" in celebration of his upcoming and much anticipated album, Boys Don't Cry and SZA feat. Chance the Rapper on the melodically haunting, "Babylon" which is featured in my Smooth Life Mix from weeks ago.

#KeepWriting


- DW

Think Like a Team

Elevation in the Industry: Get Your Team Up!

This is a community based industry. Movies are shot with large crews of actors, producers, editors, and crew. Even though screenwriting is one area initially done it solitude, for the most part it takes a group to get a project made. Screenwriters need to make multiple contacts to get their projects sold either themselves or by way of an agent.

With that being said, how often do you think about the development phase being a team activity? If you haven't maybe now is the time to start. You have to have your idea together first, but then it's fair game to pitch your concept to get honest reactions and feedback.

When you involve your classmates, mentors, or auteurs into your creative process, your project will elevate. Great minds can build beautiful things when their energy is focused on similar goals.

Try it out with a few of your past or present classmates and watch how elevate together and apart.

My Favorite Playlist for Writing: The Smooth Life MIx

Do you ever need some extra motivation to keep you writing? Maybe you are feeling sleepy? Distracted? Down in the dumps?

Try some music!

The mellow yet complex playlist below boast electro-beats and subtle soothing lyricist create a cocoon of creativity that envelops you in. I listen to this thing like four hours straight when writing. I hope you enjoy it. Is there any particular song or playlist that keeps you in the writing zone? Shoot it over, and you may see your track on the playlist!


"The Smooth Life Mix" is private on SoundCloud so you must have the link to access it.  I hope you enjoy it!

https://soundcloud.com/c-danielle-wilcox/sets/the-smooth-life-mix/s-dhlZV

Screenwriting with the Newbie Ep. 2: Card. Board

So I just realized episode 2 of the vlog wasn't on the blog. Shameful... I know. So here is episode 2 which is all about those fabulous index cards and creating a board to layout your script before you type it all up.

I just graduated so my goal was to do this as cheaply as possible. If I had to do it again I would go with a magnetic board though. Eventually one of those pins stuck me. Ouch!

Different strokes for different folks on how yours will look. Feel free to shoot me a photo, link to your boards or maybe you are one of those few people who don't even need this step, because you did such a killer job with outlining.

But nonetheless, if you wanted information about my Screenwriter's Board and what a board actually may look like, this is the video for you.

"SAVE THE CAT?" A Follow - Up

Hi,

Here is a link to the resource used in my first and second video post related to the Blake Snyder book in case you were having any trouble finding it. I highly recommend it as it is an easy read to get you started on your journey. From one newbie to another, I think this is a great starting resource as it breaks down the structure into beats and offers some great initial advice for how to start.


I can only speak on the original book, as that is the only one I have read, but there are also a wealth of Beat Sheets, Podcast post, etc. on the Save The Cat site if you are having trouble understanding scripts or creating a starting point.




#KeepWriting

DW

Screenwriting With the Newbie Ep.4: Screenwriters Unite

#KeepWriting


- DW

Welcome to my blog, Screenwriting with the Newbie~

My name is Danielle Wilcox and I am writing my first feature film. Though I have some screenwriting experience with shorts and a May-Mester course that I took with Sheldon Schiffer at GSU, I have never written a feature. I wanted to see if I was up for the challenge so that I could see if this would be my niche in my industry. I graduated this December so now seemed like the perfect time to work on it. This blog will document my journey through my first film as well as share the best tips and tricks I gain while going along with the process.

This site is accompanied by my video blog, "Screenwriting with the Newbie" which is currently posted on YouTube. A new episode comes out each week. Below is a link to episode one. Please feel free to share your comments, suggestions, etc. here or in the comments section on YouTube. I am also an avid Tweeter and as you will all find out, I am a bit of a goof ball.

Thanks for reading and keep writing everyone!


Sincerely,


C. Danielle Wilcox
Twitter:@danie11ewi1cox
Email: ms.c.daniellewilcox@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F11o6KKE6RI