Cliff Zed: Producer and screenwriter in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Variety of film makers looking for variety of actors to participate in projects. From noobs to experienced participants, we want to meet you. We're preparing for projects now and next year. Centered in Harrisburg, PA From Lebanon to Carlisle, York to Marysville: contact me, so I can coordinate about 10 presentations for 10/22/14 from 7pm to 8pm

I'm coordinating a class in amateur film making. One of the goals is to produce a short film. (1.5 pages) But all attendees have ideas of what they want to produce. Next class (Oct 22) we're inviting some actors in for auditions. send me a note if interested. Harrisburg/York locals given preference.

Hi All. I'm facilitating a class in amateur film making at the new cumberland library. if you're in the harrisburg pa area, stop in and we'll make a movie. ~ Cliff

Hi Stephanie. I'll be faciliatating a class in movie making at the NC library. Cost is free. details: http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/?q=NCU_Lights_Camera_You_Octobe...

I'll be faciliating a class in independent movie making at the New Cumberland Library Wednesdays in October. Details here: http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/?q=NCU_Lights_Camera_You_Octobe...

I couldn't find a meetup here, so I thought, I'd make a start. I know, there are plenty of actors/directors in the Harrisburg area and surrounding counties. We have so much talent here. I think, it's time, that we should meet up, connect, and collaborate, and gain the trust in each other and our skills. We can get pretty far, I think, but we need each other's support. So who would be up for a meeting? Have a great night everybody!

Just got a writing gig! Yeah man.

Hello folks! I posted this to the Filmmakers lounge, but I guess it must have been the wrong place. I'd love to hear what you guys think about this. I've just completed another pitch - this time to a US distributor. My show is aimed at 8 to 10 year-olds and is a CG sci-fi action adventure with no human characters. The very nice lady I spoke to gave me some advice at the end (which, I think, means they're not going to take my project on). We were right at the end of the time, and I didn't like to interrupt her to ask for clarification, but I now wish I had. She gave me two things to think about: This first one has me really puzzled: "Don't make it too dark". I opened the pitch with a little animated promo which didn't seem dark to me at all. It features space races, interplanetary pirates, a time portal and a "really scary monster" (that you don't see). If it's OK to post it, the video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqiZgo1UThs. If not, please ignore... I mentioned that I would like to go for a J. J. Abrams style of direction (which, to be honest, in this case has a lot to do with shaky cameras, moody lighting and lens flares - sorry J. J., I know there's a lot more to it than that!). I'm based in the UK, and we have "Dr. Who" here which has a huge following, and it's very popular among 8-year-old boys. I'd say it's a fair bit darker than what I'm aiming at. There is a children's BBC spin-off called "The Sarah Jane Adventures" that is lighter, but still fairly scary. How do these fare in the US with the children's audience? Also, I would have said that the cartoon series of "Batman" is pretty dark too, but that's been very successful for ever. And there have been cartoon series featuring mummified baddies with skull-like faces, which seem pretty grim to me. So my question is "how dark is too dark?" Does anyone have any examples of what might be "dark enough"? Or anything that goes a bit too far for the 8 to 10-year range? Secondly, make sure I get actors who are known in the US if I want to get US distribution. This, I kind-of knew anyway. I mentioned that I'm currently going after an English actor for the lead, who has just finished shooting a film for Disney. I had assumed that being one of the leads in a Disney film would be enough, but it appears I'm mistaken. If I can get this guy, I'd like to try for Ray Winstone to play his father (wishful thinking, but you never know…). Does anyone think having Ray Winstone on board would be enough, or should I be looking for known American voices. If so, who would be appropriate to play a selfish and frustrated late teen? What if I went for American voices and could get, say, Kevin Spacey for the father? Lots of food for thought here, but I'm sure there are some experienced writers, directors and producers on Stage 32 who will have some knowledge to impart to those of us who are still on our way. I'd be ever so grateful for some advice.

What's your favorite magical realism film and why? I'm developing one, so I'd love hear from you.

What is your favorite film score? As a film composer, there are several I could call truly inspiring and legendary. However, my all-time favorite film score is American Beauty by Thomas Newman - Everything from Newman's simplistic style to his unique orchestration and overall feel. I get chills simply listening to the cue "Any Other Name". So... what is your favorite score? Feel free to chime in with your favorite and please explain why.

hi Christian, do you belong to a writing group? we have several script writers in ours if you want to get involved send me a note Cliff

Do you think that movies/audiences are abit too sensitive when involving children? Im doing a movie script that involves a child serial killer, the images wont be graphic, im going to be using the whole (you cant see it but you know what is happening or what's going to happen) approach, is it a taboo or something? there are evil people in the world and is it so wrong to be truthful to the audience about events that actually do happen?

Hi everyone! I have a question. I have written a book which has been read by thousands of people worldwide, but it's not on the best-seller list. Most of my readers asked me if it would be turned into a movie. So I have been trying to realize that for 2 years now. However, everytime I would reach out to a producer, director or a film studio, I get a nervous letter back from their legal department, saying that my letter was not solicited and they made it clear to never contact them again. Some studios are rude, others sweet, but the message is still the same. So that means I need an agent. I then reached out to as many agents and agencies I could find, but still got the reply that they could not read unsolicited mail. As you may understand, my frustration grew. I have even found a potentially interested investor for 70% of the estimated 50 million Dollar budget. I have a synopsis of a possible screenplay, which still needs to be written, but I cannot move forward until I have found financial backing to hire a professional to write the script. For it is a trade much underestimated and undervalued. Then people from the film biz, who cannot help me, but do advise me on certain matters, said that I don't need an agent at all, but an interested director with the right contacts in the business. Still, how do I reach out to directors without getting the boot before even reaching one? I am not giving up. I am a YES girl. But I have been punished for my perseverance with rudeness and by many people turning their backs towards me without even looking. The big guys are all too high and mighty so I'm no longer coming near them. They seem to be paranoid. I am a sober, down to earth, realistic and ready-for-action 47 years old woman, not a dreamer. I have reached out to the entire top in movie making with no results other than becoming the most famous unknown person in certain Hollywood circles... Oh, I know Hollywood is changing. I saw it all happen before my eyes... so I am looking for synergy, innovation, new media and a team who wants to work with their hearts, because this project will be an adventure with a depth. We all want to work with the big guys, the big studios, for that makes worldwide distribution easier. But what about joining forces enabling new talents to work with big giants? A learning stage for people who come fresh from the academy and film schools, mixing internship with real movie making in an international co-production? Which big giant would be brave enough to step down a little and work with newbies to help them up? I believe in my project. I continue where the Da Vinci Code stopped and the star of my show is the real Indiana Jones, a Nazi relic hunter called Otto Rahn. The story is based on true facts and takes people on quite a ride. Check it all out on www.jeannedaout.com. I am already writing out the important storylines for the screenplay and have done location scouting for the French scenes. I have a few ideas for the casting and am full of inspiration to become the creative director and creative producer of this movie. My train is already in motion. So... do I really need an agent to do this? How do I make noise for this project without getting the boot while still in the parking lot? Thanks so much for your time everyone and in advance for any advice! xox

Hi Cliff, I target mature audiences with TV script. Crime, mystery, thriller, detective stories. Currently I have four producers and a manager/producer reading one of my scripts. I'm new at this so I'm hoping to hear some good news. .

hello Jonathan, have you done any projects? what's your background?

I've been working on my self-described life-changing documentary, WANTED: Crohn's End for over 3 years. I am thoroughly stuck in the editing process right now and getting really discouraged. I have a Trello board full of sequence ideas and lots of interview content already filmed. I just can't seem to focus, or know how to do certain ideas, or where to start. I look at it all and I think I can do it all, but I just haven't done shit for a long time. This is my first film. What do I do?

Hi Scott, nice to meet someone local. Do you belong to a writing group? Check out our website: PAFilms.com

Hi David, Nice ta meet'cha. I want to do some filming but I'm having trouble finding the right location for the film I want to do next. I have others though. We'll see what happens. Cliff

This is something common I guess but I am afraid of doing sex scenes and I feel uncomfortable with showing my body naked. Moreover, I would not know how to tell my parents that I did a film with sex scenes. You know, I will always be there baby and pure and innocent... So how do you overcome this fear and deal with your parents? How can you just be the character and explain after that it was not "you" but the character? I hope I am clear enough. I guess my dad would have no problem seeing me kill some in cold blood but make love to someone else, in front of an audience...