Headshots... not just for actors part 2

I realized that I never shared any of my amazing headshots with you. I found out my university actually does them for $35 for students, faculty & staff!

So if your on a budget this may be a great option to get some quality work done. It was a super short shoot lasting a grand total of 10 minutes so don't expect a four hour multiple outfit change  session if you go this route. But if you just need one or two good photos for your business cards and bios then this is perfect.

These were taken by an MFA student at Georgia State and I couldn't be happier.

In fact I'm thinking about getting a second set in my work environment - which at this point is anywhere with my laptop & Internet access.

What do you think of my headshots? Do you know of any other great options for headshots you want to share?

Big News...Newbies! More Video Content Coming!

Hi Newbies,

Several of you have asked me for more video content similar to what I was doing at the beginning of my blog. Screenwriting with the Newbie did start out as a video blog, and those first 6 episodes are my special treasures to show me how far I have come as a screenwriter. I am so glad I documented my learning process in that way and was able to share it with all of you.

I've been continuing to share new things as I have come across them here, however, the format of bi-weekly video blog was a little too time-consuming for me alone. Shooting and editing video content was actually cutting into my writing time, and I had to follow my own rules. So I shaved that time back into my life by ditching the video element of my blog...or at least having it much more infrequently.

But recently, I was approached by a colleague who decided to create a show about independent female filmmakers and she asked me to be apart of the project. So the video diary will resume, with her lovely production team to edit all the footage, which means more video content will be coming to the site!

I can't wait to share episodes of show with you. More details coming soon!

My aTV FEST 2016 adventure

Scott Foley. Mindy Kaling. Robin Lord Taylor.

Yes, the Savannah College of Art in Design drew in quite the list panelist at this low-key event. Atlanta's only television conference is hosted by SCAD every winter with only those in the know knowing what an epic treat aTV Fest can be for television fans and aspiring television professionals alike.

This year marks my second year of participating in the wildly informative conference that is the perfect combination of education and entertainment. This year Shondaland had the run of show at the four-day event, which suited me perfectly!

I love Shondaland content from Grey's Anatomy to Scandal.

Meeting Scott Foley was heavenly. He is one of the sweetest human beings on the planet.

Meeting Tom Verica was magical and he even gave me some advice on ways to make it in California.

Meeting and interviewing three cast members and an executive producer of the Walking Dead caused me to nearly crap my pants.  But I made through, pants unscathed with few sound bites and images picked up by Getty no less. I dusted off my microphone and was a guest interviewer at the event for the likes of Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Alanna Masterson  and fellow GSU alum Tom Luse. I enjoyed picking their brains be it only for 5 minutes due to super slim time constraints during the press junket, but nonetheless had an amazing experience.

Robin Lord Taylor and I bonded over our mutual love for Wendy Williams and went on a random tangent love fest. How you doin?

These festival moments are definitely ones that I will treasure, but the pinnacle for me was Saturday's Shondaland Writer's Panel. As a budding screenwriter there was no experience that gave me more pleasure than hearing their stories of breaking in, writer's room etiquette and how they ended up working for the the Goddess of the Golden Age, Shonda Rhimes herself.

Mark Wilding, head writer of Scandal had a particularly interesting journey that started right here in Atlanta!

Mark worked at the local Rich's downtown by day and wrote plays by night. One of his plays got seen by someone at Disney all the way in Vancouver.  Disney flew him out to California to see if he'd want a job writing. He's been out there since the mid-80's and has been in Shondaland for the last 11 years.

Believe it or not one of the other panelist had ties to Atlanta. Zoanna Clark, writer on Grey's Anatomy and medical doctor went to medical school at Emory before becoming a medical consultant on ER.  She made sure all of those potentially life saving surgeries on the small screen were accurate before becoming a writer on Grey's Anatomy where she has been for the last 12 years.

Both of their stories had round about journeys to writer's room and that resonated with me since I've worked in some alternate careers myself while discovering my love for screenwriting.

Their stories as well as the other panelist really helped to give me extra motivation to keep striving towards my goals.

Hopefully, it motivates you too! I encourage you to check out aTV Fest next year but above all else, just keep writing.

#KeepWriting

-DW

American Film Market or Bust!

I am setting some goals newbies!

Mark my words. Next November I will be at American Film Market 2016.

That is a promise.

Living in Atlanta in the midst of Yallywood is great and all. However, Atlanta is not known for its above the line labor activities. Most of the script decision making process happens on the West Coast. Hollywood remains supreme in that area of Above the Line labor.

For all those who are unsure what that means, Above the Line labor refers to directors, screenwriters, actors and producers attached to a project. They represent a fixed cost and can typically demand a pretty penny.

Georgia's workforce can supply the majority of the Below the Line workforce in the form of crew, extras and supporting cast, but the real decision making process for most films still happens in sunny California.

Which is why, as budding screenwriter it is important for me to attend the American Film Market event next year. The week long event is the ultimate in independent motion picture events--with a facet of  networking, film distribution, and deal-making events.

Even with the dates of  next years events, not yet announced I am claiming my ticket! I encourage you to make the the journey to this screenwriting mecca with me. This is our advance notice. So get your scripts in tip-top shape and start saving for your plane, train or automobile trip to Santa Monica for the 2016 American Film Market. It is newbie come-up season.

#KeepWriting,



- DW

#TBT Post! SCAD presents aTVFest "Backstrom" Cast Interview with Danielle Wilcox

I've Got My First Screenwriting Contract!

So two weeks ago I was approached by my internship coordinator, whose a great Director and taught me everything I know about being an office PA and set PA during my role at his production company. He asked me if I could help him out with a by critiquing his script. I read the script, took some notes and gave him some honest feedback including where I thought there was room for improvement.

From there, he thanked me for feedback and then surprised me saying he didn't have time to rewrite it, and asked me if I was interested in the gig.

I am sure I had a Macaulay Culkin Home Alone, YES moment--complete with dramatic arm victory swinging.

So I maybe seemed a bit over eager at that moment. I tried to real it back in with one of those understated professional statements...circa " I would be delighted to take part in this project".

But my joy was apparent and I think that actually may not be a bad thing at all. What's so bad about being passionate and excited about doing work that you love?

From there there were some steps to finalize. Newbies receiving an offer is not the end. I had to send him some writing samples ( which makes me so glad I did a feature and a spec ready), which my offer was contingent upon. Then there was a small bit of official paperwork to do concerning payment, timelines etc. 

I am excited to announce I have receive my first screenwriting contract. I am doing a re-write for a children's action adventure film. This is my first official week and I could not be happier and for my very first contract I would say I didn't do too bad.  

Being open, prepared and excited as well as staying keyed in with your network can lead to great results newbies. That is a lesson I have learned for sure over the last two weeks.

#KeepWriting

-DW

My Father Retired.... Which Means I Can Too

Putting an event together can be a massive feat! I am so happy I am done with the party. It was a great event and he really enjoyed it. My mother, sister and I transformed my parent's home into an island paradise complete with Jamaican Rasta rappers and a Hawaiin Hula Dancer.

Check out the video to be amazed and awed by the characters that make up the story of my life. After this experience, I think I am going to have to base a story off some true life characters in my everyday world.



Now that the party is done, the pictures and videos have been posted and the rentals returned, I have more time to write and I am so happy about that too. I took my own advice and carved out some writing time, even in the midst of a busy season in my life. I do have a little announcement: Minority Repore ( The Girls meets Girlfriends Project)  pilot is complete!



# KeepWriting





-DW