• E books,  Filmmaking

    If U can write a book, U can write a screenplay

    I’ll say that again. If you’re an author and you’ve written a book, you can write a screenplay, or a script.

    The skill set isn’t completely the same, but if you’re willing to put in the work and learn what it takes, then there’s no reason that one or more of your novels can’t be turned into a script.

    Instead of setting up a whole new site I’m going to split this one into two. One will be for the books I write, the other will be a page that branches off with copies of popular screenplays to give budding screenwriters examples to draw from (the scripts will not be housed on my site. For instance, the screenplay for Beasts of the Southern Wild can be found here:

    Direct link to PDF: http://screenplayexplorer.com/wp-content/scripts/BOTSW.pdf

     

    Screen Shot 2015-07-18 at 1.50.54 PM
    2013 Best Picture nominee Beasts of the Southern Wild featuring the youngest nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Quvenzhané Wallis

     

    In addition, I’ll put up movie stills and film excerpts from my journey into independent filmmaking. It’s important that readers understand that I was already into filmmaking before I started writing and releasing books.

    But my ebooks were/are instrumental in acquiring the funds I needed for digital film equipment.

    I’ll also share my research on outlets to show independent productions. It’s best to start small and build an audience, and my first post will be on the variety of outlets now available to submit your work.

    Congrats to Taraji P. Henson and Director/producer Lee Daniels for Taraji’s Emmy nomination in the role of  Cookie Lyon:

     

    EMPIRE promo
    Taraji P. Henson, looking fierce and fabulous in a promo pic for the upcoming season of EMPIRE

     

  • Contemporary Romance,  E books,  Filmmaking

    Taking that next step: Filmmaking

    First, I have to say this never would’ve been possible without the proceeds from my books. So I have to give a great big grateful THANK YOU to all those who’ve bought (and continue to buy) my novels.

    In addition to writing, I’ve also been moving into the ranks of independent filmmaking. It’s something I truly love to do and I think more minority writers may need to take that step.

    For anyone who may be interested in more diversity on screen via independent filmmaking, I’ll list the equipment I’ve acquired after careful research, especially for a filmmaker on a budget. This has always been a major part of my platform as there are more avenues for independent works to be seen, so now is the perfect time.

     

    Hui promo for The Dance small size

     

    For me, everything starts with the written word. From there I’m able to give the characters their own unique personalities and world build. The promos and GIFS come next, then the book trailers, so film is simply an extension of all the other things I love to do.

    Not every ebook I write will turn into a film. But each book I write helps me become a better author.

     

    Kenya and Brandon at the Capitol small pic

     

     

     

     

    To be continued . . .