"Da Vibe" -> Tuesday -> 5-13-08 The time has come to make an important decision. To do so, you're offered some very good advice. A pro's opinion should not be ignored. (A good night's sleep.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Note: Aubrey M. Horton has doctored scripts for five screenwriters who've won national competitions. In 1999, a screenwriter (who has had several scripts doctored by Horton) wrote a project which won a Golden Globe nomination. In "Creative Screenwriting" magazine -- Jim Shea rated Horton as a "highly recommended" script doctor, i.e., in the top 8 nationally. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Zap-Gram -> 11-28-07 -> 1) Earlier this year, a workshop alum’s indie thriller was released on DVD via Amazon.com, Blockbuster, and Wal*Mart. Also, as we understand it, there’s the possibility that it might soon make it to TV. Impressive. Note: This film was shot in Austin and was written and directed by one of our ex-students (i.e., a guy who’s known for his strong passion for film, both here and in Bollywood). {House in the suburbs.} 2) Back in August, before the WGA strike kicked in – our Hollywood phenom informed us that he was, at that time, finishing up the second draft of his spy project for Universal and was moving forward on another “gig” (a comedy based on a TV series . . . which was being developed by a brand-name director vis-à-vis DreamWorks). But, of course, now all such work has stopped due to the strike. But luckily, before the strike ensued . . . our scribe was able to escort his associate-producer girlfriend to the premier of her major motion picture (that was released to strong reviews) . . . with the paparazzi snapping away as they walked down the red carpet. (Solidarity on.) 3) At the end of August, a workshopper from a number of years ago was interviewed on ABC’s “Nightline” in regards to presidential politics and our ex-student’s telling book about a certain someone who’d been excused from jury duty (per a drunk-driving case of roughly 20 years ago) via the assistance of his then lawyer (a lawyer who eventually was appointed to the post of Attorney General). (“Dance with who brung ya” – indeed.) 4) With the well-deserved swagger of a proud parent, a doctored screenwriter recently published his first novel (which can be found on Amazon.com). And, in all truthfulness, the artwork on the cover sorta reminds us of a Grisham crime thriller. Yes, indeed. (Cross your fingers.) Plus, the opening page has a killer hook that handcuffs the reader into turning the page (so to speak). And such a smooth flow. (New braces, anyone?) 5) Having received positive feedback from the Austin Heart of Film Screenplay Competition, a workshop alum then grabbed the brass ring when her script was named runner-up in the Pacific Northwest Screenplay Contest. And wow, that’s such a grabber because this was the very first full-length screenplay that she’d ever written (having developed it in our 8-week workshop). Plus, her caring personality, strong workshop/people skills, and super savvy knowledge of film . . . truly impressed us from day one. (Going with the commercial concept was sheer genius.) 6) Talk about a web of connections. Our writer-director-producer (who, earlier this year, was covered in “Essence” magazine) – has a new documentary in the can that is now awaiting release. And it seems, per a few helpful introductions, our 4-time 8-weeker was compelled to include another one of our workshoppers (a best-selling author) in her film, and she also hired another alum’s husband to be the music supervisor on the project. (Starbucks?) 7) A workshop alum (from the ‘90s) assumed the title of co-producer on a short (which was scheduled to go to camera earlier this fall). Now, to be blunt, we were initially totally surprised by this news . . . until we remembered that this wordsmith had an MFA in creative writing and that the script was based on a short story. Oh, okay. That makes sense. (Louisiana connection.) 8) Lastly, remember that talented alum of ours who was awarded that $5000 fellowship to UT film school? Well, she e-mailed us (a few months back) that one of her scripts had garnered a “consider” via the AAA Teleplay Contest. Hey, it’s always nice to hear the good news. (Not one to put all the eggs in a single basket, eh?) 9) P.S. We don't know all the particulars (and but a few details), but an intriguing piece of info appeared vis-a-vis our in-basket earlier this fall in regards to what must be our most highly active (via info networking) workshop alums (i.e., someone who's truly established herself as the go-to nexus for Austin filmmakers; and, of course, is well-deserving of her near famous acclaim) . . . in that, it seems as though Robert Redford's people have engaged her to assist them with one of their projects. KA-BANG! (That's what we're talking about.) Yes, it sounds as though someone will need to snag another table at that outdoor music venue . . . and then corral some extra chairs for a larger room at Guero's (one of our favorite places to eat in Tejas). (Sundance on.) Gobble-gobble. ‘Tis the season. Joy and happiness to all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Zap-Gram -> 7-30-07 -> 1) Shifting gears, a workshop alum (a credited writer-director-executive producer) . . . inks a deal to co-produce an indie film starring Tony Sirico (THE SOPRANOS) and Morgan Fairchild (DALLAS). With a $1.5 to $3 million dollar budget ("The Hollywood Reporter" favors the lower estimate) -- we can only assume that the snow cones which will be consumed on this shoot will be exceptionally tasty. (Legalese.) 2) And since we're on the subject of shifting gears, a repeat workshop alum (known for her savvy people skills) . . . has also assumed the role of producer per developing a project to be shot in London. Plus, earlier this summer this talented writer published her first novel. Oh, it has a husband-hunting theme and is set in Dallas. (Tied the knot, uh-huh.) 3) And speaking of producing, a doctored screenwriter (from a couple of years ago) . . . has taken on the role of co-producer via a Texas indie. With camera rolling earlier this summer -- this film has a strange edge to it, mixing good-ol'-boy/in-the-woods hunting with a somewhat clownish theme. Plus, this in-play screenwriter (who'd previously inked a pitch deal in Hollywood) . . . also has a script under consideration at an LA prodco . . . that's already garnered interest from Drew Barrymore, Diane Lane, and Reese Witherspoon. (Not a dry hole.) 4) And since we're on the topic of books, our sports-genre workshopper (know for his boxer-like determination) . . . grabbed an option deal on a new feature which he'd adapted from a book. Yes, indeed. Yet another credit for the ol' resume. (Chow mein?) 5) Referencing yet another career update -- our CAA-reped Hollywood phenom continues to juggle numerous studio projects. This spring he wrapped up the producer's pass on his new "spy" script . . . which he said: "They love it . . . It's a great project." While, at the same time, he was also pitching a Will Ferrell storyline. (Cool digs, huh?) 6) And another workshop participant (known for his quirky POV) . . . has written a hot new short which just rolled camera in Austin. Expect to see a number of twists and some spilled blood, too. Can't wait. (Downloadable.) 7) Homage. A talented workshop alum (from the '90s and who now has numerous screen credits) . . . was made acutely aware of the fact that a feature film can't even reference Oprah (even if the screenwriter-producer was only attempting to do so with the best of intentions). The plug was pulled. (Live and learn.) 8) And speaking of talent, a workshop alum (known for her heart of gold) had a June fundraiser to help expand the budget for her new short (and which proceeded to roll camera in July) . . . but, um, at about this same time, there was some mix up in regards to her feature script (which Willie Nelson had previously signed a letter of intent to star in). Anyway, this tiny brouhaha seems to have been clarified. (She truly has a great ear for dialogue. Camera on.) 9) And hey, remember that talented two-time workshop alum who grabbed a scholarship to UT film school's master program not long ago? Well, she writes: ". . . I just landed my first 'paid' writing gig. I'm rewriting a director's script, who is in the process of finding funding." And between that deal and a few other writing projects at various levels of development, it sounds as though she's sorta-kind-of busy. (TA on.) Tie up the bow. That's a wrap. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ News items stay on this page for a short life cycle -> then are moved to "archive ('02-'07)." If you'd like to read the 1999/2000/2001 info, go to -> "archive ('99-'01)." Check out the "cat" for developing insight. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (c) < 1999 - 2008 > "Da Vibe" is entertainment. No forecast of true events is intended.