- Central Coast Writers Branch presents
- "Screenwriting As A Pro! Take 2"
- with James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro - March 31, 2007
About our Workshop Venue
Thank
you to the management and staff of the beautiful La Mirada facility of the Monterey Museum of Art.
This gracious mansion and gallery is a living reminder of historic Monterey. Did you know: The
La Mirada facility has only recently opened its doors to a wide range of community events such
as our workshops, and we are fortunate to have such a resource. If you haven't visited the museum
and gallery at La Mirada, you owe yourself the pleasure. La Mirada is located just off Fremont
Street on Via Mirada Via
Mirada is also the access road to the lower parking areas for Monterey Peninsula College and the
Thursday Farmer's Market. There are signs on Fremont and Via Mirada. The mansion is on the right,
through stately iron gates, just after turning off Fremont. facility of the Monterey Museum of
Art. This gracious mansion and gallery is a living reminder of historic Monterey. If you're looking
for the perfect spot for a wedding, reception, workshop or other gathering, consider La Mirada.
For details, contact their Special Events Coordinator, at 831-372-3689.
While
technically a workshop, the Saturday spent at the La Mirada gallery with author and screenwriter
James Dalessandro felt more like a conversation with a good friend; a good friend who just happens
to be a charming and articulate expert in the art of writing for the screen. The relaxed, interactive
nature of the session gave the lucky participants another inside-track look at the realities of
making it in the world of screenwriting, almost all of which translates completely to any genre.
Passion for his craft is the engine of James’ success. Focus and preparation, which James likened to that brought to the game of golf by Tiger Wood, is required to rise to the top. James encouraged the room to “know everything there is to know” about our stories, whatever form they might take, and research is the key. He defies anyone to know more about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake than he does. “If there’s something I don’t know about it, it isn’t worth knowing,” James declared. The bidding war between major studios for his screenplay based on his amazing novel, 1906 proves his point. Warner Brothers won the war by the way, and the film promises to be as successful as the book. Given the level of control he’ll have over the project, however, James told the group that he “…hopes the damn thing will still be set in San Francisco.”
The
Central Coast Writers branch is proud to have been able to sponsor Louis Cessa, an eighth grader
from Greenfield, for this workshop. Louis is a talented writer at fourteen, and he aspires to write
for the screen. Louis received plenty of one-on-one with James during our breaks and throughout
the session. In the photo to the left, James talks shop with Louis and other workshop members.
When branch president, Ken Jones, asked Louis at the end of the day if he'd taken away some good
information to impress his classmates, Louis replied with a smile, "...it will impress my
teachers." We're very happy to have had Louis with us on Saturday.
The
lunch break became a garden party when the gracious staff at La Mirada allowed us to spill into
their lovely grounds to enjoy the sculpture, fountain, and fresh air as well as the good eats.
CCW members Ixchel Leigh and Anita Alan enjoy the comfort of the La Mirada courtyard. Thank you,
James, for another terrific day and for giving so freely of your time and talent. --from CCW web
site
Writing and photography by Ken Jones, president of Central Coast Writers, a branch of California Writers Club.
