This past weekend, my husband and I attended the LA Festival of Books (or familiarly called, “FOB.”) It was our first time attending the weekend event.
With full schedules both Saturday and Sunday, my husband and I only attended one workshop together, “Demystifying Book to Screen.” Since often movies and TV shows are “based on a book,” we wanted to know how the process works, since we’re writing books. The Panel included one producer from Universal with credits for popular shows like “Lost,” “Alias,” and “West Wing.” He implied that there are no hard and fast rules. The important point is to “tell the best stories.”
One panelist, Attica Locke, declared the film “To Kill a Mockingbird ‘definitively’ better than the book.”
All the panelists have multiple credits to their names. The panelists emphasized that “Creative liberties are often taken with adaptations,” so it is important not to be “precious,” and demanding about retaining source materials. They emphasized being collaborative as the way to get produced.
For entertainment value, Henry Winkler (“The Fonz”) was on hand to recount stories of how he became established in Hollywood. Winkler spoke about Happy Days, his vehicle to stardom, and included a funny anecdote about how his trademark leather jacket became synonymous with his character. The studio originally wanted him in a cloth jacket, but it wasn’t a charismatic choice. Producer Garry Marshall went to bat for Winkler and said they needed the leather for safety. The studio conceded that The Fonz could wear leather whenever he was with his motorcycle. Marshall’s dictum to the writers was, The Fonz should always have his motorcycle with him─even in the house. Winkler was on hand to promote his book, Being Henry.
My favorite Panels showcased clever and entertaining authors like Jesse Sutanto, who brought the house down when she discussed her strict Asian upbringing and her mother’s questioning of teenagers preoccupied with sex in Jesse’s book. Sutanto insisted that teenagers were preoccupied with sex. Her mother responded, “I wasn’t (preoccupied with sex when I was a teenager.)” Sutanto commented, “I believe her!” Everyone applauded loudly and laughed.
More next time!
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POWER OUT
Yesterday, we had a power outage in our city. We haven’t had that happen in years! Early in our city’s founding (2003), power outages happened regularly. If someone hit a power pole and knocked the line out, there was no “redundancy” so the power couldn’t be rerouted on an alternate path. That problem was remedied years ago. This time the powers that be, pun intended, said a transformer had blown. It took down over half the city’s homes and the traffic lights. Police were stationed at lights to keep the traffic moving.
We had projects with contractors coming to fix things. With no power, we couldn’t open our garage door (without a lot of hassle). We’d have no power for the contractor to plug into. One intrepid group brought their own lights and laid a floor down!
Without the power, we had to do without. Philosophically, it reminded us of what we value. No A/C. Since it was early in the day, it wasn’t that hot, yet. No microwave. No air fryer/toaster/broiler/oven. To make sure food in the fridge didn’t spoil, we didn’t touch anything, since we didn’t know how long the outage would last.
We were lucky! The full outage for us only lasted about three hours. For some people trying to get to work, their commute became longer with human traffic movers.
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SHORT STORY CONTEST
HERE COME THE BRIDES is looking forward to accepting your brand new 6,000-10,000-word short story! Please complete your story and submit it no later than June 1st at midnight.
Plan your story with a bride or wedding included. We’re looking for steamy or spicy romances for mature audiences.
The finalists’ entries will be compiled in an e-book anthology that will be available for free. We’ll be collecting names and emails of those who order the anthology and we’ll share that list with finalists. Build your list! Plus, there’s no fee to enter the contest!
DETAILS at: contest.janerohde.com
We’ll promote your short story widely!
Warmest regards,
Shelley Sommers
Romance Author
www.shelleysommers.com
Shelley@ShelleySommers.com