********** 10/28/95 3:00 PM Forum CO R 5 : *SYSTEM* | Switching to Film & Theater suey | Yes MIke | Greetings! | Hello Paris & Sue! | Hello Robin! robin | hi, mike, paris, sue! :) MIke | Paris? robin | hi, michelle! Michelle C. | hi! MIke | Hello Mich Increase | Hello everybody. A pleasure to be in | conference | with Paris. How will conference be organized? MIke | We will be doing Q&A. Paris you ready? Paris | Hey Mike, how do I do this? MIke | Paris you are here | s. | I think you are doing good for your first | time in CIM & | Con | Paris is everything displaying OK on your end? | Your replies should just come back on your | terminal AFTER you hit enter. Increase | Paris, What does the future hold for the | screenwriting industry for minorities? Michelle C. | are we back in biz? MIke | Paris is coming... | First time in Con with WinCim. Paris | Am I here? Michelle C. | yippe!!! | hey paris!!! MIke | Yes! Luvenia Wingo | Paris, or any conference person, There is a | movie | starring Billie D. Williams, called Hit. I | saw I think in | the early 80's. I cannot find it in video | stores, it has | not been on TV since then. Do you have any | Ideas as | to what happened to it. robin | u here, paris? Increase | Paris do you see my question - What does the | future hold fot the screenwriting industry | for | minorities? Paris | Sorry guys. I tried to outstmart myself | using the GUI instead of my old reliable | ASCII. robin | lol! an ascii user??? i'm impressed!.... | ascii or bust for us ole heads! MIke | GUI is better! Your'rd doing good! Paris | Okay. Let me get to some of these questions. robin | hi, darren. :) MIke | Hey Jazz Man! darren | hi folks...just here after cleaning my guns Paris | I vaguely remember the Billie D. movie. You | might have to try a mail order video | specialty operation. MIke | Increase your Q again. Increase | What does the future hold for the | screenwriting | industry for minorities??? Sailym A.H. | whattup..........matinee anyone? MIke | Sailym we're in Conference, Paris is our | Guest, Screenwriter. Paris | The future is actually fairly promising for | minorities. In TV, the comedy area has | always been ripe for AA's. The dramatic form | a | bit less so. Sailym A.H. | ok.. Mr. Barnett | Hello !!!! Christopher | hello? MIke | Hi Barnett, All feel free to drop a Q. Just | TYPE Q for me so we don't all Run over | Hello Chris. Michael Harrison | I finally found you all - don't you think art | only | progresses in relation to society's progress? Mr. Barnett | o.k. Michael Harrison | That was a Q, Mike... - Visitor | Paris, is that because AA's aren't as visible | to the "american" public as those in the | dramatic form MIke | Pariis take Mike's first. Luvenia Wingo | Paris, I have tried columbia house video. If | you later | run across information on it. Could you send | an | e-mail message to 72763,1222. MIke | Whether Art only progresss in relation... Paris | Michael, sometimes I think art progresses IN | SPITE of society. MIke | Remember all please type the Letter Q... darren | Q? Nubianette | Hi everyone Increase | Q?...How do we get more minorities interested | in | screenwriting for film, especially in the | dramatic | area??? MIke | Visitor give a first name please. | Darren you're on! darren | Paris robin | no, increase, u sposed to wait for mike to | call on you. darren | are we going to see Paris | It has to start in school. darren | much from AA writers Michelle C. | Q? darren | that is not comedy MIke | Thanks Tweety! darren | related i | in the future?? MIke | Next Increase, then Michelle C. - Visitor | Q? how do we get more minorities the | opportunity to participate in | screenwriting????? Increase | How do we get more AA's interested in | screenwriting in our school? MIke | Visitor, I want a a first name. Type /NAM I | believe. Paris | As I said, it has to start in school. Too | many young AA's can not read or write well | enough. Christopher | Q? MIke | Next Q person up... Michael Harrison | Q - Paris, how did you get your start - your | first | financing, for instance? Michelle C. | me? MIke | Michael your after Mich. | Go Mich.. Michelle C. | ok | hi paris | why aren't more realistic dramas written for | blacks | hbo and cable seems to do better Eric Monte | Hello MIke | Just type Q first though, without the | question. Michelle C. | but network tv is dismal | i can think of one or two exceptions | tribeca was excellent Paris | Michael, Most of my work has been financed by | production entities, as is the case with most | other TV producers. Michelle C. | and the series with james earl jones and a | black | family in seattle was excellent Increase | Q? MIke | Paris did you get Michelle's Q? Michelle C. | otherwise, there's the stereotypes of only | jokers Eric Monte | Q? I have been blacklisted in Hollywood for | twenty years. What can I do to get over the | blacklist? Michael Harrison | Q -were the producers AA or white, and if | white, how | did you get them to buy? Eric Monte | Oh, my question was to Paris. MIke | Eric ONLY type Q. Then you can pose your | question when you're up. Thanks. Christopher | i'm sorry, but i kinda jumpped in the middle | of things, and i'm a | little lost. Can someone please tell me what | is an "AA" Paris | I didn't get Michelle's Q. Eric, what's the | nature of the blacklist (Lord I hate that | word)? MIke | Increase your're inline... | Michelle please repeat. Michelle C. | why are blacks more frequently portrayed as | jokers Paris | AA=African American Michelle C. | especially on network tv | cable seems to do a more realistic job Paris | Michelle, Michelle C. | in diverse portrayals Luvenia Wingo | Q? Paris while filming the Tuskegee Airman, | did you | hear of a man called kong from the 30's | tuskegee | football team. Increase | Michelle, my point is just that. More AA's | must learn | the art of screenwriting in order for more | dramatic | stories to be produced. Paris | Michelle, blacks on network TV are generally | in the comedy form... going back to a history | of minstrels. MIke | Mike Continue yours if needed... | nature of Blacklist,etc. Increase | Q? Eric Monte | Q? Paris I wrote a movie called "Cooley High" | I created "Good Times" "What's Happening" | George and Louise of "The | Jefferson's" and when I saw I hadn't made any | money I sued everybody. Plus I had to argue | to keep them from turning my | stuff into "Amos and Andy" so I got a | reputation as hard to work with. Paris | Cable, looking to make a difference, is | forced to extend beyond the network | parameters. | Luvenia, No. I'm not familiar with the | football team. Michelle C. | it's too bad it is not as readily available | on network tv | you have to pay cable! MIke | Increase GA | (Go Ahead) | Paris you can address Eric he was up... - Visitor | Q BABYGIRL | anyone here? Increase | My wife and I are publishers of a text on | screenwriting and we are agents trying to get | more | AA's interested in screenwriting. How do we | get | their interest up? Paris | Eric, now I remember the name! 20 years is a | long time. Have you tried to ghost write | yourself. The WGA allows that. MIke | visitor you'll be in line... | type /name though, for a first name. Thanks. - Visitor | Q? BABYGIRL | Bruce whats Q? MIke | BabyGirl, we're in Conference, Paris is our | Guest. Type Q = Question. | Visitor GA (Go Ahead) Paris | Eric, I got my writing start doing "Amen", so | I know about Amos & Andy. MIke | Then Charles... Increase | Q? My question wasn/t answered??? Paris | It was a constant struggle to keep some | integrity in the show as I was the only black | writer. MIke | Paris did you see Increases' Q? Paris | Yeah, I'll answer it now. MIke | Eric your work is excellent. Michael Harrison | Yeah, it is, Eric - I'd like to see some more | myself Paris | To get more AA interested I think we have | produce readers and writers in grade school. | Then, I think we have to educate the popula | tion that what they | see on the screen isn't actors making up the | lines. You'd be surprised how little the | public is aware of the screenwriters contrib | ution. MIke | (lineup Charles, Bruce (was visitor) get | ready...) Charles H Jones | Q? Paris... can I email you a story for | consideration | to be formulated into a script? MIke | Charles Eric Monte | Q? I'm trying to get a staff job to clear up | my bad rep. I've offered to work for MIke | (You can send private request for Q's) Denise Rose | Just checking. Jazzy lady | hello MIke | (All: Q or send Private Request for Q to get | in line up. Thanks!) Paris | Charles, not a problem. The shorter you keep | it, the better the chance I'll get to it this | century. Increase | Q MIke | Bruce GA (go ahead) Jazzy lady | May I ask the topic? MIke | Jazzy just type Q, I'll put you inline... Denise Rose | Q MIke | Bruce? bruce | Paris, my question is How do we get | minorities the | opportunity to be screenwriters, producers, | etc. | Opportunity is the key. It is easier to lay | the | responsibility on the disadvantaged.......... Paris | Bruce, being qualified goes a long way. | Having contacts doesn't hurt either. | However, most minorities in the industry | don't have | the contacts (I know I | didn't). MIke | (lineup: Eric,Increae,Jazzy Lady,Denise...) bruce | So what do we do?? ARTHUR CLARK | Q MIke | (Arthur added to lineup...) Paris | Bruce, It's actually getting better. There | are more minorities in the industry today | (TV), than 10 years ago. Those people are in | a position to open the | door, if the person is qualified. MIke | Go Eric Again Please your followup Q. Eric Monte | Q? I'm sorry I keep messing up. This is the | first time I've done this so bear with me. | As I was saying I've offered to work on | staff for WGA minimum but I keep getting | stone walled. Once they find out who I am | they take my work, use it and don't pay | me or give me credit. What do you suggest I | do? bruce | Well, these folks need to be more accessible | to help | inspire new talent..... MIke | (on same Q, ALL feel free to join in to | comment) Increase | Our text is in several Black Colleges and | Universities so far and has been endorsed by | the | Black Filmmakers Hall of Fames, Exec. Dir. | Dr. B. | Robinson also. How do we make our people | understand the improtance of screenwriting | and the | impact it can have on how we're portryed in | film and | television? Paris | Eric, they can't take your work and use it | without paying. Is it that blatant? MIke | (lineup: Increase,Jazzy Lady,Denise Arthur...) | (total 4) Increase | My comment and question's there!!! Paris | Bruce, I agree. Minorities writers on staff | or executive positions can at least make | themselves accessible. MIke | Increase's Q on the floor. Paris | Increase, Making our children understand the | importance of writing in general will help | them understand (as they grow older) the im | portance of | of writing the dramatic form. MIke | Jazzy Lady GA (Go Ahead) Increase | Q & A! Making themselves accessible is one | thing, | but not having any new material is also a | factor is'nt | it? | Q? MIke | Jazzy Lady? Paris | Yes it is! The TV and movie industry is | about ideas. Any good idea that's original | will sell. bruce | Q? MIke | Denise GA (Go Ahead) Michelle C. | Q MIke | Denise? Denise Rose | How can you get a good idea to the people who | make the decisions? Increase | Q MIke | (lineup: | Arthur,Increase,Bruce,Michelle,Increase) Paris | Denise, there's a nother Catch 22. You need | an agent to get your material out there, but | you can't get an agent unless you've demo | nstrated you can | generate work. MIke | Go ahead Arthur | GA ARTHUR CLARK | I've heard alot about the MMM documentary. | Are you | involved in the project???? Paris | It is possible, however. There are many | agents (usually young, new and agressive) | that will take on new, untested writers. Michelle C. | With the advent of deregulation of the | telecom | industry i.e. films may now be transmitted | through | phone lines in some state have black screen | writers | sorry about that!!! Denise Rose | Can I get a list of them? Increase | As an agent as well as writer, I find when I | talk to | producer's and they tell me the type stories | they are | looking for, with a minority lead, strong | womans | lead, etc. I have a hard time finding | material well | written, to present to them. Any ides? Paris | Arthur, I'm not involved in the MMM docu. | What is it? robin | l/sen 6 and EDRIVE has already extended the | invite.... MIke | (ALL feel free to ad comment to same Q on the | floor) robin | ooops. suey | Q MIke | (lineup: increase,bruce,michelle,suey) ARTHUR CLARK | i understand that the co star of new york | undercover | was involved in documentary about the march | and | didn't know the particulars. Increase | Q on the floor already??? MIke | GA Increase Paris | Increase, it's a bear, I know. As a | producer, I'm in the same position as I often | don't have the time to write the material. MIke | (If someone want to add comments to someone | else Q, it's ok) Denise Rose | Q Eric Monte | Q? MIke | GA Bruce Increase | Q bruce | Paris, I don't think "new material" will | ever be hard to | find. The question is, what kind of role do | we want to | display for ourselves. Being In europe, and | seeing a | lot of older series on TV (in a foreign | language) and | then having to interact with the local | population, one | get's to see what these 'role' do to | expectations. I am | a computer network specialist by trade and | that really | shocks some folks. MIke | (lineup: Michelle | C.,Suey,Denise,Eric,Increase) Paris | Bruce, I've seen enough foreign TV to be | humiliated at our portrayal. MIke | GA Michelle C. Michelle C. | with the advent of new technology in fiber | optics and | telecommunications, it is possible for | screenwriters | to transmit their work (ie via films, tapes | and the | like)... | to show off their talent | good for new talent | what do you see as this for the future? Paris | I can be very promising. Michelle C. | is this at the breaking ground stage for | development | technically? Paris | Because the programmers are soon gonna be | starved for programming... good programming, | bad programming or indifferent. MIke | GA Suey | Suey? suey | I have the material, now I have to prove the | commerical (yuk) viability. Any Ideas? Paris | Suey, is it TV or feature? That'll have a | lot to say in determining it's commercial | (double yuk) viability. suey | Feature and one project could be developed | for TV Paris | Suey, get it out to agents. They'll give you | an indication. However, don't take their | word as gospel. MIke | GA Denise | (lineup: Eric,Increase) Denise Rose | How about AA agents and producers publishing | topics (story ideas) most frequently | requested and making it available to aspiring | screenwriters, etc.? Paris | Denise, that would be a great idea. I've | gotten a few ideas from magazines such as | Emerge and American Visions. MIke | American Visions Sponsor this Forum. | GA Eric Eric Monte | Yes, Paris it is that blatant. I don't want | to hog everybodies time with my problems. | But James Mtume took a story I wrote | to "New York Undercover" trying to get me in | because he wanted to help get me past the | black list so I could work with his | company. They took the story and rewrote it | and put it on. It was the one about the | Cooper's child being raped by a | pedophile. You might have seen it. The | Guild said my only recourse was to sue. | Which got me blacklisted in the first | place. Paris | Denise, often, great story ideas lurk in the | most unlikely places. Denise Rose | Like? Paris | Eric, did you register the idea with the | guild? If not, then, your only recourse | might be to sue. What does Mtume say? Eric Monte | He never called me back. MIke | GA Increase Increase | Paris, If there's any particular type of | material you | are looking for or if we can work together to | be able | to review material prior to you receiving it, | feel free to | e-mail us for a listing of scripts we have | available. | Our address is 75501.2334@compuserve.com Eric Monte | Q Paris | Denise, like the metro section of the local | newspaper. Like an old history book. Like a | general interest story in an obscure jour | nal. MIke | (lineup:Increase,Eric) Increase | Q&A Paris | Who is Increase at 75501.2334? Increase | Willie Nason MIke | Yes Increase Name (full) should be given for | followups | GA Eric Denise Rose | Paris, Those are definitely unlikely places | that I never would have thought of. | Thanks! Paris | Willie, are you a writer, producer, etc.? Increase | Willie or Beverly Nason are agents and AA's. Eric Monte | Look I don't want to take everybody else's | time. My email adress is 74301,3267. Send | me a message so I can get in | touch with you and we'll talk. Have a happy. | I'll lurk from here on out.] Increase | Writer as well as Agent's. Har | Q MIke | GA Har (Go Ahead) Paris | Denise, also consider the twists and spins | that you can put on what may seem like a | generic story that'll make it sparkle and | diffe | rent. Har | Parris, my son would like to know if you are | planning to | make any new T.V. shows? Paris | Eric, I got it. Be good. | And good luck. MIke | (lineup:open) Denise Rose | Q Increase | Q Paris | You guys all questioned out? MIke | (lineup Denise,Increase) | Paris Har Question on the floor Denise Rose | Paris, How did you get started? What was the | first thing you did? and where? MIke | Har please resend Q to Paris. THEN Denise. | Har's Q for his son, was on Paris plans of | making any NEW T.V. Shows. Har | Sure, Paris my son would like to know if you | plan to make | any new T.V. shows? MIke | On that note my wife loved MANTIS and wants | it back! Increase | If anyone's interested, the title of our book | is "The Art | of Screenwriting Simplified, published by | BAWN | Publisher's Inc. Cinci, OH. and can be | acquiried | through the BFMHF and we would love an | opportunity to work with as many of our AA's | with | good material as possible. Paris | Har, Yes. I'm currently writing and | producing a TV movie (hopefully to go to | series) called "The Cape". It's about | current astron | auts stationed down at | the Kennedy Space Center. We have terrifice | access and cooperation from NASA. I'm also | writing an HBO movie about Natalie Cole an | d her daddy. | And, I'm considering writing the adaption of | a book called "The Ditchdigger's Daughter". Increase | Q MIke | Increase would love to have your info | uploaded to the forum library for | Writers/Film.etc. | Denise GA | (lineup:Increase) Denise Rose | Q already on. Increase | Ok Will do!! Har | Paris, my son said "thanks for the info and | wishes you the | best of success." We may see you if you are | doing some | on set work at KSC. MIke | Denise, please re-send) Ok. Paris | Denise, My education is in theater. I have a | BA in English and Theater from Rutgers | College in NJ and an MFA in Theater Directing | from UCLA. I got | my writing start doing research for Carson | Productions. Denise Rose | Paris, How did you get started? What was the | first thing you did? and where? | You mean Johnny Carson? Paris | That's the man. Denise Rose | Did you write jokes? Paris | He was the producer and owner of the "Amen" | series. MIke | I didn't know that! Denise Rose | What was the "Amen" series? Paris | Denise, I wrote for "Amen". So, I had better | have been writing jokes. Although, who knows | how many were actually funny. MIke | Q. Paris: Tell us what went into the making | of the Tuskeegee Airmen? A long thread | developed in the Forum on this. Paris | Denise, "Amen" was the half hour comedy | staring Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, etc. Denise Rose | I think I remember that. Paris | Mike, Tuskegee Airmen... DP Aircrew | I'm one MIke | Excelletn DP! Paris | I'm impressed! Welcome! Increase | Paris 2in1Q's, Will you be accepting any new | ideas | from new AA's on your new projects? Paris, | you | attended UCLA, then you must be familiar with | Dr. | Richard Walter-chair and Dr. B. Robinson, | both of | whom reviewed and endorsed our text? DP Aircrew | Thank you. MIke | You MUST give input along with Paris on this | Q. | Increase your in line AFTER the Tuskeegee Q. Increase | Q is there!! DP Aircrew | I'm only an honorary Tuskegee Airman. I'm a | member of the Organization fo Black Airline | Pilots. | TAI and OBAP support each other. We | sometimes | have joint conventions. Paris | Increase, I do know Dr. Robinson. As a | matter of fact, I spoke at a presentation she | gave last month in Oakland on the TA. MIke | Got it increase (this place is busy!) Denise Rose | Q DP Aircrew | The Movie was great. MIke | Paris what wen into the making of the Airmen | writing? | (lineup: Denise) Denise Rose | Paris, what impact did the Cosby Show, | especially Bill Cosby himself , have on the | role of black in TV? Paris | As far as the TA goes, I was approached by | the producers and HBO to redo a script they | had. I was only too glad to as my father wa | s a Tuskegee | Airmen (477 Composite Group) and I knew too | well the story of the Fighting 99th. MIke | Excellent! Paris | Denise, Cosby was the ground breaker for | blacks in TV, just as Sidney Poitier was the | man for features. Increase | Q MIke | GA Increase Paris | Denise, in dramatic TV, that is. We had our | buffoons and clowns in comedy... ie. "Amos & | Andy" Increase | Will You be accepting any stories or ideas | from new | writers with great strories? MIke | (lineup:open) Paris | I'm always looking for great stories (which | as we know, is all relative) from writers. Denise Rose | Paris, I've got to go now,but I have more | questions to ask you. Will you be doing this | again? Eric Monte | Paris I have to go get ready for a 3:00 | meeting. I enjoyed talking to you and I hope | we get to talk further. Have a happy. Paris | Sure. If the welcome mat is still out. robin | always, paris! :) MIke | If you all really enjoyed Paris and would | like Part II type YES! Paris | Eric, you too. robin | YES! MIke | Yes Eric too! ARTHUR CLARK | yes suey | thanks for the information. YES!!!!! Denise Rose | Most definitely! I really have enjoed your | ideas ans insights. Increase | If you will get in touch with us and let us | Know the | type of material you are looking for or can | have | written we will gladly look out for it! MIke | Paris you up for next month Part II? Har | That's encouraging, Paris, as I have many | questions also. MIke | Can't believe over 1 1/2 hours flew by! Har | Mike, will you have info to contact Paris for | scripts, etc.,.? MIke | Paris the YES's have it PLEASE be our | Guest! Paris | Mike, sure. Let's talk and decide on a date. | I'm scheduled to go to Belize in November, | but I may be able to push it to December. | My visit, that is. MIke | Yes, Paris will email & phone chat! Denise Rose | Paris, when will you make it to San Juan, | PR? Increase | Q Paris | Not sure. I stopped through there on my way | from St. Martin and fell in love. MIke | Paris, addressing HAR's question how can you | be reached? Email? etc. | GA Increase Increase | Ouestion to Paris on floor?? Paris | Email is good. Give me a little time to | answer as I'm not on the system every day. Denise Rose | Q MIke | Yes Question is out. GA Increase, then Denise. Har | Sure, will. Best of luck and keeping you and | yours in | prayer. Paris | Har, thanx. MIke | GA Increase | Increase? Increase | Q is already on floor to paris? Paris | For those who want to send material, the best | way is through my agent: Dianne Fraser at | Major Clients Agency 345 N. Maple Drive S | te. 395 Beverly | Hills, CA 90210. Make sure to write AA Forum | Guest on the envelope. MIke | Resend if not answered please. Paris | Sorry, what was the question? MIke | Thanks Paris for the address info! | GA Denise in the meanwhile Denise Rose | Paris, You're invited to visit San Juan, PR | after or before Belize. Paris | Denise, is that where you live? Denise Rose | Yes. Har | Paris, thanks for the address, we've enjoyed | talking with | you. Mike have to go. Take all. Paris | Har, my pleasure. robin | c'ya har! :) MIke | Ok Har! | Paris are you typed out? Denise Rose | Adios, amigos! Paris | Denise, it's a little out the way, but I | might surprise you... Denise Rose | Me encanto! MIke | Adios Denisa Vaya Con Dios (?) Har | Take care all, onward... :) Denise Rose | Igual. robin | i gots to go too. thanks for joining us, | paris!... | great job, mike! :) MIke | we will have to do this Again! Paris | Robin, my pleasure. Increase | Paris If you or your agent would contact us | with the | type of material You are interseted in, we | can work | with his agent to make sure he's recieving | quaility | material. darren | paris don't be no stranger to the forum!!! | peace! MIke | Robin & Jazzy D Thanks! For being there (full | loaded, you know what I means | Paris thank you so much! Paris | darren, I sneak in and out. robin | lol! anytime, pahdnah! ;) ARTHUR CLARK | Peace and love everybody!!! Increase | Thanks for your help and cooperation in bring | more | insight to our people on a subject we as a | people | need to be better informed on! MIke | Peace Arthur All! I hope it was enjoyable for | all! Part II to be come! Will Confirm with | Paris | Date! robin | | adios! :) MIke | here here | Paris I hope you enjoyed everything and | looking forward to this again! Paris | Mike, I might sneak in more if the category | "Television" was added to the Forum section | . I had a ball. | Let's check schedules and see when we can | deal again. MIke | Great! Darren is listenging! Increase | All persons interested in learning more about | us | and how we can help get your stories into the | hands | of producers like Paris and others, we will | list the | information in the library today.... Thanks | again | Paris.. Let's do Lunch MIke | Great Increase! | I'll be uploading the todays transcript in | only a few minutes for all! Paris | It's been real... Gotta go, folks. Mike, | ring me up. MIke | Will do Paris and thanks! Paris | Again, my pleasure. Peace. -pq-