Hello, Stage 32ios! (Introduce Yourselfians? There's got to be a decent nickname in there.) Michael Elder here writing from the great state of Tennessee. It's good to see so many people active here, especially since Stage 32 has been instrumental in my return to writing for visual media. I'm a USC CNTV grad who's ended up in the country, so online spaces like this one are a godsend for staying connected.
I used to be an editor and director for reality TV, industrials, educational videos, and music videos. Then I went full-time into the music business, working on specialty releases in New York and Nashville. After detours to grad school, the tech sector, government contracting, and a few other adventures, I'm back and ready to start selling my words again. My post-9/11 dramady MEANWHILE... was in the Top 4% over at Coverfly before it imploded--RIP Coverfly--and I've been getting good notices for my Christmas heist comedy 'TWAS THE FLIGHT. I just love to tell stories, I love making movies, and I'm excited to be back making it my main concern after many years away. This is a wonderful community, and I'm looking forward to meeting more of y'all.
Also, if you happened to see me on Pop Culture Jeopardy! or have seen one of my panels at an anime convention, definitely say hi! I'm rather proud to be locally known for my encyclopedic knowledge of American celebrities appearing in Japanese television commercials.
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Hi, Michael Elder. Great to see you again. I need to check out Pop Culture Jeopardy! now. I loved watching Jeopardy! growing up.
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Hi Michael Elder - great to meet you and congrats on returning to writing! Have done so myself this year and it does, indeed, feel good to have had Stage32 as a home to return to :) cheers
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Welcome back to writing, Michael! Your diverse career path—from USC CNTV to reality TV editing to music business to anime conventions—gives you a unique creative perspective that'll serve your storytelling well. Top 4% on Coverfly for MEANWHILE... is solid validation, and a Christmas heist comedy sounds commercially smart. Tennessee represent! Looking forward to seeing your work in the community.
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You’ve had a cool path Michael Elder ! What was your experience like working in reality TV? I sold sold a premium unscripted show to USA and really enjoyed the process.
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Amanda Toney I have a few war stories from my very first season of TV, fresh out of college and willing to work 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM just to get my foot in the door. It's very weird being down the line on a show that's filming in a different city than where you're editing, like a game of telephone. I'm grateful for every show and every season I worked on, because I had to work fast and be insanely accurate in my work.
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Michael Elder I hope the South is treating you well! My southern background finds itself surfacing in so much of my writing, many times intentionally but sometimes by happenstance. Keep us up to date on your projects and successes!
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Darrell Pennington There are so many stories to be told here and a huge audience for them! I hope your background gets seen as the advantage it is; we need more awesome Southern stories.