Introduce Yourself : Jello by Rebecca Alistair

performs a diabolical dance inspired by a chimp in heels

Jello, Rebecca Alistair! Welcome to the community. I'm doing great. How are you?

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Congratulations on your short film getting produced by Paia Pictures and finishing three features since you started writing again! What's your favorite genre(s) to write?

My favorite genre(s) to write.... well... I started in an action/adventure like Romancing The Stone, and I do love that genre. The first script I had given Paul was Hero's Dragon, when I started writing again. Then I found myself in a war script, mostly because I had worked on an OH-58D helicopter in my young life and I love that little helicopter so much it inspired Into Fallujah. I have a crime thriller that I finished, but I don't know if it's ready. Of course, I have another action/adventure I'm writing on...no...I'm sorry...two. So... action/adventure seems to be my drug of choice. It makes sense, I grew up on Top Gun and Romancing The Stone, Indiana Jones, Alien, Predator ... the list goes on. I'm a James Cameron girl, so he's a huge influence on me. Though... he directed Aliens and Alien is Ridley Scott's baby. (Then there's Tony Scott, Robert Zemeckis, Spielberg... Ah! Robert Zemeckis, he's everything I grew up to!)

Anyway.... I'm getting out of hand. lol I love being a movie nerd. It's the reason why I write.

Aliens and Terminator 2: Judgment Day are tied for my favorite James Cameron movie, Rebecca Alistair.

Your post reminded me of the Jello commercial. "J-E-L-L-O. It's alive." Haha

That's cool that you worked on an OH-58D helicopter. What's Into Fallujah about?

Hello, Rebecca. Glad you're "back in business" writing. I recently read Paul's book—a must-read for all screenwriters.

Rebecca, I just recently finished Paul Guyot's book "Kill The Dog" and really changed my approach to writing. I have been really aligned with Chris Vogler's book "The Writer's Journey". for years but after reading Paul's book it really made me feel less restricted from what I have always found to be industry standards..

Maurice Vaughan Into Fallujah is about the second battle of Fallujah in the Iraq war. A former pilot, Ace Warner, grounded over the loss of a student, meets a battle-worn helicopter pilot, Joseph MAPS Peterson, where they form an unlikely bond over loss, love and the ghosts of Fallujah.

When he’s sent back to Fallujah and captured the only way he can get to her is communication through the Insurgent videos. He taps out Morse code that she eventually hears and doesn’t hesitate to go get her pilot.

I tell ya the one thing I hate is summarizing a story. I just wanna blab about everything.

I am happy because you are back to writing. There are a lot of skills and creative ideas on the Stage 32."

Hi Rebecca Alistair - welcome! So, what prompted you to return to writing?

Hi Rebecca - great to meet you. I'd love to share creatives and learn more about your history.

Hi Rebecca Alistair - welcome! So, what prompted you to return to writing?

Phil Clarke Uh well… I had mental break, in layman’s terms. I was driving one day and very clearly heard a friend’s voice, who I had lost in Iraq. He simply said, “Where’s my story?”

I pulled over, let myself have a moment and thought through what just happened. (A very good moment to have a degree in psychology.)

I came home and wrote 177 pages of the first draft of Into Fallujah that night. Then I wrote Hero’s Dragon.

Long story short. I’m empty without writing. I don’t wanna expire from this planet without trying.

My condolences, Rebecca Alistair. Fallujah sounds incredible! I'd definitely watch it! What's your plan for the script? Pitch it, enter contests, etc.

Maurice Vaughan

I don’t care about contests really. Paul tells me that most contests are just cash grabs for the peeps running it. It’s a good writing sample and now I’m in this weird place of getting it into the right hands to sell or secure something and I have a thriller an a action/comedy to go with it.

So, I’m networking and putting myself out there. Just covering ground, making friends…

Hello Rebecca. Like you I wrote screenplays in the mid-late 90s. Started up again in 2015 and kept going. Never too late. Hope all is well in FLA.

That's great, Rebecca Alistair. Networking/building relationships is the most important thing in my opinion. That's how I've had a lot of success on here. Some contests are worth it though. It depends on the prizes.

Hi there, Rebecca Alistair, I’m Ashley, Head of Community here at Stage 32, and I’m so glad you’re putting yourself back out there and reigniting your writing journey. That takes courage and heart.

Three finished features is no small feat, and having someone like Paul Guyot in your corner is incredible! I hope you’ll continue sharing your journey in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting). It’s a great place to meet fellow writers, swap advice, and stay inspired.

If you ever want tailored support or next steps for your scripts, feel free to reach out to our Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. They’d love to help.

Welcome back to the page. You’re in good company here.

Hello Rebecca nice to meet you. You provided some very interesting information.