Genine Tillotson

Why Backstory Matters – Adding Flesh to the Bones of Your Story

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Often when people debate what sort of film they have just seen, they’ll try to decide whether it should be classified as a character or plot driven story. To me that distinction seems ridiculous. If the characters aren’t interesting, if they have nothing of substance to say and their actions are generally predictable, the story is probably mediocre at best. Just think about it. More

Your Protagonist – An Introduction

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INTRODUCING YOUR PROTAGONIST – WHO IS THAT PERSON??

Many emerging writers do not realize that introducing their protagonist, first and foremost, involves piquing the interest and empathy of the audience.

If a script opens and it’s not very clear, within short order, who the protagonist is, there is probably an issue. More

Writer/Producer Judith Richland Invites HSSW Members to a Screening & Celebration for ART THIEF on April 13th

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FROM JUDITH RICHLAND: As many of you know, during the past 2 years I have been working as a producer for the film ART THIEF. We’ve been screening the film around the country this past year and I am proud to announce that we ‘ll be screening ART THIEF locally at the Boston International Film Festival at 10:00am on Saturday, April 13,2024 at the Regent Theater, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA. https://www.bostoniff.com/portfolio-view/art-thief/ I hope you can attend the film and join us after for a buffet celebration at the Acitron Cocina Mexicana at 12:30pm https://www.acitronrestaurant.com/ , located one block from the More

Crafting the Persuasive Pitch Deck

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In this article I’ll discuss what a pitch deck is and why it is such an important tool in your promotional arsenal.

I’ll start with the cynical observation that people in the entertainment industry don’t read. And when they do, many seem to have problems with retention. More

Your First Ten – Think of It Like a Speed Date

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Here’s what I want you to visualize. You’ve made this date with a person who has dated hundreds, possibly THOUSANDS of others.  This individual hardly ever meets Mr. or Ms. Right and when they do, it mostly falls apart.  Something doesn’t work out.  The person is too uncompromising; they are a terrible listener; they’re too inside their own head; they think the word “commercial,” as in must-make-money, is an obscenity.  You get the picture. More