My schedule in Austin
I’m headed to Austin tomorrow to participate in four panels at the Austin Film Festival. They have me scheduled very tight, so if you’re inclined to introduce yourself, it’s generally easier to catch me at the start of a session than the end of it.
As I’ve written before (“Are you somebody?”), in daily life I’m fairly anonymous, so it’s unnerving on those rare occasions when I’m recognized in public. But in my biennial sojourns to the screenwriter-centric AFF, I feel like a minor TV star. “Wait, is that..?”
Yes, that’s me in Quiznos, debating which size sandwich is just too much. Feel free to say hi.
Friday, October 17th
Young Filmmaker Program Pitch Session
Driskill Hotel, Victorian Balcony
1:45pm to 3:00pm
Co-sponsored by the Mobile Film School, the student pitch session gives high school students the opportunity to pitch to industry professionals. Watch the finalists battle it out and learn more about the art of the pitch.
Panelists: John August, James V. Hart
Shot of Inspiration
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
3:15 to 4:30 pm
Giving up on writing is not an option. Listen to screenwriting professionals describe their first big break. Hear motivating and inspiring stories from writers who were once in your shoes.
Panelists: John August, Shauna Cross
On Friday night, I’ll probably make it to the Texas Film BBQ at the French Legation, which is always a good time. I’m also curious to see Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, which is playing at 7:30 at the Paramount.
Saturday, October 18th
Dialogue: Finding the Voice
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Ballroom
9am to 10:15am
How do you create dialogue that drives the story but feels natural? How do you make sure that the dialogue flows with the scene and pacing of the film? Get tips from the pros and make your dialogue really say something.
Panelists: John August, John Lee Hancock, Steve Harrigan
Young Filmmakers Panel
Texas State Capitol Building
10:45 to Noon
Aimed at students aged 9-17 but open to all. Panelists discuss how they got started in the industry, answer questions about the craft and business of screenwriting and filmmaking, and offer encouragement for those beginning their journeys in the film business.
Panelists: John August, Melissa Rosenberg, Terry Rossio
From there, it’s back to the airport and back to Los Angeles.
Articles
October 15th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Hope it all goes well!
And I hope you enjoy Slumdog Millionaire… I’ve not had a chance to see the finished version of it, but I spent a good chunk of my summer working on it, so am really hoping that it hits the right notes.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
@Hugh: I’ve heard from friends that saw it: it hit the right notes.
John: when you are on panels about dialogue and the like…are there actual precepts that you quote? Personal discoveries that you share? I ask because good dialogue seems so subjective that any rules applied (beyond “keep it short”/”stay true to the voice”/”avoid being on-the-nose”) would have trouble finding purchase.
Or are those the things you say?
October 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Sounds fun! I hope you have a great time in my home state. Austin’s a cool city. :)
October 15th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
@Earl Newton:
My basic dialogue advice is that dialogue is what people would say if they had an extra few seconds to think about what to say next. It’s real, but it’s optimized. And unless you’re writing a crime procedural show, it should be almost impossible for one character to say another character’s lines.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
This gets marked as the writing revelation of the month. Just awesome, John.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
John: I’m a little bummed you’re not on the “Writers Who Direct” panel. As an editor, who’s worked with lots of different directors, I’m always interested in hearing from people who came to directing from other crafts: writing, acting, etc.
I’m going to try to make your dialogue panel, but 9am is a bit early. :-)
October 15th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
John, if you’re going to be in Austin, you should try a Schlotzsky’s sandwich. It’s far, FAR superior to any Quizno’s offering.
You will then come back and thank me profusely.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
It’s interesting that the more experienced I’ve gotten as a writer, the less I’ve cared about my dialogue. I mean, sure, I try to make it good within its context, but a script is not just a bunch of dialogue. It’s a story, and the dialogue is there for one reason: to aid in the telling of it.
I think some novices look at the work of people like Mamet or Tarantino and think that their stuff is good because of the dialogue. It’s not; they’re both great storytellers who happen to be good at writing dialogue. If the story’s not there, the greatest dialogue in the world won’t save it.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:12 am
If you get tired of Quiznos I highly recommend the Burrito Carlito with chicken and black beans at Iron Cactus, about a block and a half from the Driskill if you turn left from the hotel going up 6th St. Sensational – and also just a little too much food for lunch.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:42 am
” If the story’s not there, the greatest dialogue in the world won’t save it.” Really? Tell that to Kevin Smith.
October 17th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Hopefully, I’ll see you at AFF. We’re showing our film, “Happy Birthday Harris Malden” as part of the ‘Comedy Vanguard’ section. You’ll probably be back in LA by the time it plays though.
For anyone interested in the film, the link’s above, inside of my name.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I saw John Lasseter on Hollywood Blvd two weeks ago, walking past Marilyn Monroe and Captain Jack Sparrow and across to the El Capitan. “Hey, isn’t that….”
But he was evidently unrecognized by the tourists, and I felt like some sorta fanboy for recognizing him myself. Although I would have liked to have had a moment to say “Hey, love your work. Story IS everything!”
RV
October 21st, 2008 at 3:38 am
Trust me when I tell you that you are very much a good sized star in the AFF scene.
But Kasdan will always a supernova.
(you did a really fine job on that panel, btw, as always) . . . B