This week I did accomplish my mission of submitting fifteen pages to the Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest, working off of the intriguing premise they supplied. I had a team of trusted advisers weigh in with their opinions (thanks, team!) and I think I’ve crafted some dynamic characters and compelling situations. While I don’t have all of the answers regarding where this premise could go (here’s hoping an Industry Insider “mentor” will be helping me figure it out), I realized that I couldn’t write the fifteen pages without coming up with some sort of road map to get me to THE END. Who are other characters to be introduced? What are the action-packed set pieces? How will the plot twist and turn? Now that I’ve invested time and thought into this story, I’m pretty sure I’ll see it through its 100+ pages, whether I’m one of the fortunate ten finalists or not. Results are announced in July so I’ll know then if I’m one of the lucky <1%ers. In any case, thanks to the efforts of the past week-and-a-half, I’ll probably have one more spec under my belt by the end of 2012.
![Chinook Helicopter](http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/8/30/1251665284807/Chinook-helicopter-003.jpg)
Tales to tell...
And what better way to celebrate turning in my contest submission than with the Los Angeles Film Festival? Yep, it’s the time of year when I immerse myself in movies and panels and all things indie-film-related. I’m kicking things off tonight by seeing BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, which won Sundance this year as well as the Camera d’Or at Cannes (Best First Feature Film). I can’t wait! I also have some fascinating documentaries on deck and tomorrow I’m attending a panel about the incredible – and incredibly intense – AMC series BREAKING BAD that will feature show creator Vince Gilligan and stars Bryan Crantson and Aaron Paul.
![Breaking Bad](http://blogs.amctv.com/breaking-bad/BB-S4-Key-Art-NTT-560.jpg)
Bring on the Badness!
As usual, I’ll report in from the frontlines on my favorite films of the festival. (Wow, how’s that for alliteration?) At the very least, I know I’ll come away from it with a potent dose of creative inspiration!