Randy Mars: Actor, screenwriter and director in Ottawa, Canada.

Hi Randy, just touching base.

Hi all! I wanted to introduce myself - my name is Tania Penn, and I'm a screenwriter with "Chicks Making Flicks" an all-female filmmaking group that consists of actors, directors, producers, writers, editors, etc. We've completed several projects and are in post on a couple of others. I'm including a press release I wrote: Los Angeles is home to many an aspiring actor, screenwriter, director, all who are working toward that goal of making it to the big time. Some dreams come true, while others fall by the wayside, their dreams crushed under their stiletto heel. It takes talent, perseverance, luck, connections and sometimes just being in the right place at the right time. And while it’s tough to wade through the murky and occasional shark-infested waters of Hollywood to be noticed, it can be twice as tough when you’re a woman trying to break into the business. Forget it if you’re a woman over a certain age and occasionally, sometimes size as well, where in sometimes in this town, the powers that be and it’s obsession for youth and heroin-chic thin-ness wants to euthanize you and/or put you out to pasture when you are over thirty and above a size zero. So what does one do? You either give up on your dreams and get the hell out of dodge, trudge along the muddy embankment hoping for that break, or you can do something about it yourself. Like, say, create your own production company while funding and making your own films. Chicks Making Flicks is one of those companies. The brainchild of founder, actress and director Harmony Smith – CMF was founded in May 2015 and consists of approximate twenty women, all with various degrees of expertise ranging from editing, producing, acting and writing, and what they don’t know how to do, they learn how to and/or hire and pay crew members. Since their inception, they have already completed three projects. CMF is currently in post-production on their first short dramedy film, “Daughters,” directed by Harmony Smith and written by Harmony Smith and Ciera Danielle. “Daughters” is a story of family regrets, resentment and forgiveness, as ten siblings gather at their dying father’s home, while finding the courage to forgive him and each other before it’s too late. Also currently in post-production is the group’s first comedic nine episode web-series titled “Half Way,” written by Tania Penn and Harmony Smith, set to be released later this year. “Half Way” is the story of twelve women trying to survive living together, all which have various degrees of afflictions and personalities that drive the housemother all-the-way-crazy. “Half Way” was directed by Jon Mayfield and stars several Chicks Making Flicks members. YouTube star Travis Bryant makes a cameo in one of the episodes as well. There is no resting for the chicks, however, while those are in post-production, they are currently writing and planning out their upcoming projects, including several features as well as television pilots. Check out their website, chicksmakingflicks.net, for merchandise, information on the group, upcoming projects and/or if you would like information on how to donate/help finance their upcoming projects.

Hi, I'm new to the site, but happy to have made the discovery! I work with a team in Nashville on a project building a platform to help artists, creators, actors, and athletes manage the 'business' and organizational side of their careers. We're always looking for new partners and friends. You can check it out at www.artistgrowth.com if you're interested. I'm particularly interested in learning more about how we can support this community and the creative people in the film and TV industry. My background is in music. Ok, that's me, super glad to be here, and look forward to the experience! Ciao, Matt.

Good day folks, I have started pre-production on a feature film posed to shoot in the summer of 2018. Without saying who (because I can't right now) the film does have some known talent. "known" meaning international stars. I am wondering how I go about getting the film sold or distributed to play in theaters?

Good day folks, I hope this is the right topic I have chosen to post my question. If not please be kind direct me on this. I have started pre-production on a feature film posed to shoot in the summer of 2018. Without saying who (because I can't right now) the film does have some known talent. "known" meaning international stars. I am wondering how I go about getting the film sold or distributed to play in theaters?

Ok I have ideas and I am writing. I searched to see how original my ideas are and one certainly is the other is as well and controversial. I am looking for that chance to bring my ideas out and make them into something that would make money and entertain the people so they starve for more. Do I have those ideas? Sure do. I am hoping you think so as well. Let's talk and see what we can make of it. 

Hi Randy. Here is the You Tube link for the first show hosted on my project Mid Missouri Art News. (I will be taping the second show today Nov. 16th). I was a little rough on the first show but will clean it up today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgcZAs4eGIs I hope all is well with you.

I read a post somewhere in the Lounge (which I've now lost) in which a writer was saying that she didn't appreciate notes that were noncommittal. She preferred notes that were more precise and committed. By noncommittal, I mean notes that use phrases like: "Perhaps you might..." "For example, maybe..." "Is there any value in doing x?" "Let's consider doing..." While these notes might seem noncommittal, this type of delivery is precisely what film studios in the US employ. It's a highly professional voice for delivery. Why? Because executives recognize that 1) the writer knows the "whole story" better than we do and she has many story elements to juggle in her head, 2) the writer will have a more artful way of handling a note than we awkward non-writing execs, and 3) we don't want to eliminate the writer's room to be a creative thinker. We don't want to be overly prescriptive if at all possible. We hope that the writer will have a more elegant way to accomplish something than our bad example. We don't want to put a leash on a writer that prevents her from achieving her best work. So this technique of sending notes which seem noncommittal is actually a demonstration of TRUST and RESPECT for the writer, whom we need to be a better architect than we execs are. Please note this post applies to feature film technique. Typically, in TV, the showrunner and the network have the final call. Thus the notes delivery technique is somewhat different, if only because of tight production deadlines that loom every single week To be reductive, in TV, you will see more "do this" than "maybe you might do this."

I am new to animation and have been working with CGI and VFX lately. Lately meaning in the last 4months. I would like to receive work doing this and also, of course, advice is always appreciate.

Hey all! I'm completely new to the idea of 'networking' . . . I was going to say online - but actually networking in general is pretty foreign to me. To put 'me' in perspective, I'm a filmmaker/artist/writer who lives on 16 acres in the middle of the nowhere in the SE Arizona desert. I literally work in my boxers and a t-shirt all day and generally go into town (10 miles away) only once or twice per week. I don't think I'm a recluse, but . . . On the other hand one of my favorite aspects of filmmaking is the collaboration! I've written, produced, directed and spent years as a cinematographer and always loved the whole process of working with a group. The last decade I focused on fine art, which is a much more isolated endeavor and I'm now getting back into film, having just finished post on a rather ambitious short film and am now writing and re-writing some more projects. MY POINT is - that I'm out here all by me onesy and I'm wondering how I can best connect with other writers. I love being able to bounce ideas off of someone, get feedback, etc. and am happy to reciprocate. I don't know if what I'm looking for is a collaborator, or just a writer's group of some sort; I'm unfamiliar with both. Any suggestions, pointers, links, thoughts, or good jokes are welcome!

Goodness, I'd almost forgotten about this site! Working on updating my profile... :) Good to be back in touch, dear friends! <3

I'm a 4th round FINALIST... doing the happy dance with happy tears. :-))

Please share my short film with your friends.I made the movie to make people aware of Haber and the great sports of handball and racquetball.It took me 8 years to research,acquire vintage photos,rare film footage and interview over 150 people that knew Paul .Numerous people in the USA and Canada would not come to the phone,return calls or emails even though they knew Haber as family members , tournament competitors and directors,court club managers and owners, handball association officials,girlfriends I hired a scriptwriter,photographer, numerous film editors,original music composer, and did a North America outreach through the media to locate Haber stories and lore.

My name is Sean and I started acting at 41 years old and have just filmed my 50th short. Starting to get feature films now, so currently involved in my 6th which is a project to be solely aimed at the American market. I am always looking for new projects with roles that will challenge and stretch me as a performer. Biggest audition so far was for the role of Mike in the movie 'Bad Moms', which is currently doing the rounds and will be released this week in my adopted country, New Zealand. Great to meet so many like-minded Stage 32 people and do please take a moment to drop by my website at seanoconnor.biz where you will also find my showreel.

I have finally completed 1629 Mutiny on the Batavia (ebook) which I believe will make not just an outstanding film, but become one of the all time greats. It's based on a true story that evolves around war, adventure, shipwreck, mutiny, murder, massacre, love, lust, revenge and redemption. It makes The Titanic look like a kindergarten story. There have been many books written about the Batavia but no one has delved so deeply into the characterisation of the chief protagonists. Although the plot is probably the best story you will ever read, I feel that it is the characters that provide the most lingering interest and fascination. In particular I have posed some disturbing questions: How do good men/women become evil? How much evil would you commit in order to keep alive? If this book was fiction, the critics would proclaim that it is just too unbelievable. That it is a true story makes this drama/adventure even more amazing. Come on board and make The Batavia a truely great film!

Good evening all! I have been approached by BCA Actors & Talents management. They seem fishy to me due to no contract, free to work with other agents, yearly fee paid upfront, all expenses paid and no percentages taken. Anyone out there worked for or work with them now that would have an opinion to share?

Hey all, my name is Bart Baker and I've pretty much written in every format over my career. Writing is what I've done for a living for the past 30 years. Started as a playwrite with eight plays produced around the world, segued into screenwriting while doing that and have had twelve movies for television, two features and episodes on four series produced. Presently, the remake of BEACHES starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long that I wrote is shooting in Vancouver. My fourth novel, A SECOND HONEYMOON WITH HARRY, was published in June (it's a sequel to my first novel, HONEYMOON WITH HARRY, which is in development for a feature at New Line/Warner Bros.). And this fall a play I cowrote with my husband, FAMALEE, will debut in St. Louis where we presently live. Since I no longer live in LA, the Internet is how I keep up with other writers, actors and filmmakers from around the world. Glad to make your acquaintances. Good luck with everything you all have that you are creating.

Hello everyone. When I'm not writing screenplays, I produce documentary films. Here's a preview of my latest project. Love being a part of Stage 32. I've had several pitch sessions though here. This is a great place to network and learn the craft and business of screenwriting. Trailer for my documentary film "When The Witches Came To Town," https://youtu.be/TeCZiVxyyg0

Hey Randy, thanks for adding me to your network.