New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone?

2012, My First Year in San Francisco!

I don’t usually do this “New Year’s resolution” thing. But I have so many short-term and long-term goals, I thought this would be a good way to organize my brain.

I’m not sure exactly how long it will take to complete this goal list, but I’m hoping to accomplish a good chunk within the coming months.

But, before that, I’d also like to make a list of my recent accomplishments. Often, I feel like nothing is moving forward, so hopefully this list will remind me that my hard work is paying off.

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Achievements of 2012

1. Have been working incredibly hard on my new online graphic novel The Poet and the Flea.
2. Have taken part in some wonderful collaborations and look forward to continuing/completing them: The First Reich and Elias & The City of Cats.
3. Entered several screenplays into a variety of competitions and have received a great deal of positive feedback (see résumé).
4. Nominated for a number of blog awards — Reader Appreciation Award, Very Inspiring Blogger Award (twice), Blog of the Year 2012 Award, Liebster Award, and Beautiful Blogger Award.
5. Accepted into The American Pavilion 2013 Cannes Film Program!!!
6. Plus, I now have an awesome boyfriend. (◕‿◕✿) 

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Goals for 2013

1. Complete materials for Elias & The City of Cats (hopefully before the end of January) and send out to publishers.
2. Finish first 10 pages of The First Reich and get them up online.
3. Begin working with Masa and Gabe on full-length screenplay collaboration The Blanks (working title), to be finished before June 2013.
4. Send out inquiry letters about my completed full-length screenplays to production companies.
5. Finish the script for The Poet and the Flea, hopefully somewhere between 60 – 75 pages.
6. Work on my first zine (possibly a tie in with The Flea) and self-print it.
7. Open up a Storenvy account to sell zines and other merchandise (prints, t-shirts, etc.).
8. Work on the next 10 illustrated pages of The Poet and the Flea. Then the next 10, and so on and so forth!!
9. Find a reliable and talented director and/or producer to turn one of my short scripts into a short film. Then enter the short film into a number of festivals.
10. Finally get an official internship, fellowship, and/or job in a field of interest.

Wish me luck!!

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

★ Important Note: “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” is underway!! Join us on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook!

Wednesday, August 15th

1. Did not make it to the next round of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. All of these screenwriting competitions/contests/labs are so competitive, but I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. There are still about 6 more I’m waiting to hear back from. Anything could happen!
2. Busy with preparations for “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere,” which begins August 20th!

Thursday, August 16th

• Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…

Friday, August 17th

• Errands, errands, errands…!

Saturday, August 18th

1. Attended The Pixel-Flick TV Actor/Filmmaker Alliance Second Meeting. Discussed some projects with Brian and received some interesting feedback/advice.
2. Must reschedule one-on-one meeting with Brian.
3. At Alliance Meeting, got to know fellow filmmaker J.R. better. I think he has some great ideas for potential Alliance projects! Check out his blog:  jrbiche.wordpress.com.

Sunday, August 19th

• Busy with preparations for “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere.”

Monday, August 20th

1. “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” begins today!
2. E-mail correspondence with J. R. Going to pitch his idea for a web series at next Alliance meeting. (｡◕‿◕｡)
3. E-mail correspondence with potential director/producer.
4. Created blog for Robots Are a Girl’s Best Friend (under construction).

Tuesday, August 21st

1. Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…
2. Continuing correspondence with potential director/producer.

Wednesday, August 22nd - Thursday, August 23rd

• Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 38 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-18, 21-23, 27, 29-30 completed, and 19-20, 24-26, 28, 31-36 in progress) of illustrated work.

To Do:

• Work on research, character sketches, etc. for Shannon.
• Schedule second meeting with Shannon.
• One-on-one meeting with Brian (Pixel Flick Entertainment).
• Finish The Man Who Never Smiled by end of August.
• Sign up with IMDbPro.
• Apply to the Bluecat Screenplay Competition (before October 15th).
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

Tuesday, August 7th

1. Today, had lunch with the lovely Tina C.  She’s a really smart and wonderful lady. She gave me some helpful advice about The JET Programme (something I may do in the future) and the JLPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test (something I’ve been considering). We ended up speaking English with a bunch of random Japanese words thrown in (●´∀｀●). I’m not sure if she’ll be staying in SF, but I hope we can become friends!
2. Lately, been trying to practice my Japanese language skills thanks to my new iPad!  Downloaded the app “iBunkoHD” to read literature in the original Japanese (Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, Natsume Sōseki, Dazai Osamu, etc.). Downloaded another app “Japanese Advanced Phrases” to practice newspaper terms, 四字熟語 (yojijukugo: a word consisting of four kanji), idioms, etc.

Wednesday, August 8th

• Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…

Thursday, August 9th

1. Posted a new topic at a forum called Making Graphic Novels to promote The Poet and the Flea. Check out post here.
2. With a discount from Stage32.com, applied to the Emerging Screenwriters 2012 Screenplay Competition. Information updated on “Applications” post, here.

Friday, August 10th

1. Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…
2. Thinking of signing up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings. Any advice?
3. Finally connected with potential director/producer. He seems experienced, interested, and enthusiastic. Going to send him a few short scripts.

Saturday, August 11th – Sunday, August 12th

• Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…

Monday, August 13th

1. E-mails, e-mails, e-mails…!
2. Trying to figure out the best way to scan The Poet and the Flea. Options, options, options…

Tuesday, August 14th

1. Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…
2. As recommended by a fellow artist, signed up with mlkshk.com. It’s a bit like Tumblr and Pinterest. Not quite sure how it works yet though… Forgot to mention, a few days ago, signed up with stumbleupon.com. Not quite sure how this one works either… I’ll figure it out eventually.
3. Spoke again with potential director/producer. He has lots of interesting ideas for Robots Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Will speak again soon.

Etcetera

1. The Poet and the Flea: 37 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-18, 21-23, 27, 29-30 completed, and 19-20, 24-26, 28, 31-36 in progress) of illustrated work.
2. Continuing to help fellow screenwriter/filmmaker Jay Dial.

To Do:

• Work on research, character sketches, etc. for Shannon.
• Schedule second meeting with Shannon for August.
• Attend The Pixel-Flick TV Actor/Filmmaker Alliance Second Meeting (August 18th).
• Finish The Man Who Never Smiled by end of August.
• Sign up with IMDbPro.
• Apply to the Bluecat Screenplay Competition (before October 15th).
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

★ Important Note: “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” begins August 20th!

          Busy, busy, busy, busy, busy…

          But it feels like things are coming together! (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ

Wednesday, July 25th

• In between working on The Flea, began some character sketches for graphic novel collaboration with Shannon.

Detail of rough character sketch for collaboration.

Friday, July 27th

1. In between working on The Flea, conducted some image research (46 images and counting) for collaboration with Shannon.
2. Received e-mail from Brian (Pixel Flick Entertainment). Trying to schedule a one-on-one meeting with him. Next Alliance meeting on Saturday, August 18th.

Sunday, July 29th

1. Continuing to help fellow screenwriter/filmmaker Jay Dial. Had a great (hopefully productive) phone conversation with him.
2. Received inquiry about my screenplay-in-progress The Man Who Never Smiled from an interested (and enthusiastic) production company. Although I originally intended this screenplay to be full-length, they’re interested in a short. Will bang out a draft (about 15-25 pages) and send them a copy by the end of August.

Monday, July 30th

1. Received e-mail from a potential director/producer interested in making “one or two” of my short films. He suggested chatting on the phone. Very busy this week, so will call him either Wednesday (August 8th) or Thursday (August 9th).
2. The Man Who Never Smiled: about 6 pages into research/outlining/writing.
3. Some lat minute “spring” cleaning…

Tuesday, July 31st

1. In between working on The Flea, worked on some text/font samples for Shannon.
2. Heard from The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Competition. Did not make it to the quarterfinals — knew it was a long shot. But I can always try again next year. Or perhaps I’ll have more success with a different route?

Wednesday, August 1st - Thursday, August 2nd

• Continuing work on The Flea and The Man…

Friday, August 3rd – Sunday, August 5th

• A family vacation of sorts…!

Monday, August 6th

• Received e-mail from Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2012. Although my screenplay Who is Laurence Harvey? was not selected for this year’s lab, I was given some encouraging feedback: “…the script is a definite contender for the lab. It’s a unique idea with a capable writer at the helm… a noteworthy project…”

Etcetera

1. The Poet and the Flea: 37 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-18, 21 completed, and 19-20, 22-36 in progress) of illustrated work.
2. Working on Inside the Display Case (title may eventually change?) bit by bit. About 17 pages of script (+notes).

To Do:

• Call potential director/producer next Wednesday or Thursday.
• Work on research, character sketches, etc. for Shannon.
• Schedule second meeting with Shannon for mid-August.
• One-on-one meeting with Brian (Pixel Flick Entertainment).
• Attend The Pixel-Flick TV Actor/Filmmaker Alliance Second Meeting (August 18th).
• Finish The Man Who Never Smiled by end of August.
• Sign up with IMDbPro.
• Apply to the Bluecat Screenplay Competition (before October 15th).

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

In the midst of a horrible cold…  (✖╭╮✖)

Friday, July 13th

• In the mail, finally received “Documentation of Registration” for Who is Laurence Harvey? and The Golden Curator from The Writers Guild of America, West.

Saturday, July 14th

• On Craigslist, have responded to a few posts about writing and creative projects. We’ll see how it goes…

Sunday, July 15th

1.  After a nerve-wracking wait, Who is Laurence Harvey? did not make it into the quarter finals of The 2012 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. But I’m still happy that the screenplay made it into the second round (the top 25%). Now I have 6-8 more contests/competitions to hear back from in the coming months. Next up, The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Competition Quarterfinal Round and the Film Independent Screenwriters Lab…
2. Looking into The Alternative Press Expo (APE) in San Francisco, October 13-14. I think it’s too late to get a table, but I’d like to attend, schmooze, get some more information about the publishers I’m interested in, and possibly promote The Poet and the Flea a bit.

Tuesday, July 17th

• Responded to a Craigslist post about someone writing a graphic novel who’s looking for an artist/illustrator. Had some e-mail correspondence with her. Planning to meet on Tuesday (24th). Looking forward to it!

Wednesday, July 18th

1. Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist…
2. Applied to The American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest! Information updated on “Applications” post, here.

Thursday, July 19th

1. Added behind-the-scenes images to my (almost-but-not-quite-forgotten) Pinterest: pinterest.com/gegallas.
2. Slowly but surely working on the-poet-and-the-flea.tumblr.com.

Friday, July 20th

• Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist…

Saturday, July 21th

• Attended The Pixel-Flick TV Actor/Filmmaker Alliance’s first meeting. Thought it went very well! The producer/director/CEO of Pixel Flick Entertainment, Brian Stephens, sounds like he has a lot of experience and knows what he’s talking about. He’s organizing this alliance to facilitate filmmakers in the Bay Area and showcase their work. Seems like a wonderful opportunity!

Monday, July 23rd

• Took care of some important e-mails today.

Tuesday, July 24th

• My meeting with the graphic novel author Shannon Brady went really well. I think her concept is really intriguing and she’s very passionate about the topic. I think this is going to be a successful collaboration!

Etcetera

1. The Poet and the Flea: 37 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-12, 14, 16, 21 completed, and 13, 15, 17-20, 22-36 in progress) of illustrated work.
2. Considering developing my short story entitled “Inside the Display Case” (about a Siberian pit viper named Peter) into a graphic novel.
3. Developing a new short film script called Death of the Poet.
4. Stumbled upon an idea for a children’s book…
5. My third full-length screenplay called The Modern Prometheus is currently resting on the back burner temporarily.

To Do:

• Sign up with IMDbPro.
• Apply to the Bluecat Screenplay Competition (before October 15th).
• Begin work on character sketches for Shannon!

***

For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Production Companies

I’ve been looking into various production companies to send query letters to. (This is just a rough list for my personal use. In no particular order!)

If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. Leave me a comment!

• The Weinstein Company
• Endgame Entertainment
• BBC Film (The Writers Room)
• Phoenix Pictures
• Yari Film Group
• 2929 Entertainment
• THINKfilm
• Minor Hour Films
• Prospect Film Productions
• Independent
• Warp Films
• First Independent Pictures
• Land of Nod Inc.
• Breaking Bones Productions
• Rebecca Gillespie Film
• Porcelain Film
• Partizan
• Zentropa
• No Restrictions Entertainment
• Blue-Tongue Films
• Chicken & Egg Pictures
• Stink London
• Oryx Productions 
• Tica Productions
• Ripple World Pictures
• Stronge Image Films
• Taos Land & Film Company
• StoX Pictures (Coming soon!)
• Cross Creek Pictures
• Kimmel International, Sierra Pictures
• Groundswell Productions
• Hunting Lane Films
• Silverwood Films
• Partickular Films
• Berkancy Films

To be continued…

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For more updates, don’t forget to follow me on tumblr and/or twitter.

***

Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas