Give Thanks...For Selfless Friends

 There's a group consisting of a couple of hundred people (or more...) that received some news at the beginning of the year. We're a close-knit group...close because we've shared common experiences, and there's one person that brought us all together...

Blake Casselman.

If you're unfamiliar with Blake, he is an extraordinary individual. He wears many hats, screenwriter, teacher, film director/writer/producer, husband, father, friend. And since 2013, he's also been the Programming Director for the FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention, formally known as Salt Lake Comic Con. On New Years Eve he took off the Program Director hat and transferred it to another. 

End of an era.

Every once in a while a person enters your life that, unbeknownst to you at the time, will change your life forever. I didn't know many years ago it would happen to me. I was attending LTUE, a writers symposium held in Orem, Utah and I sat in on a screenwriting class. Blake was one of the panelists. After the panel I introduced myself to him and told him one of my scripts was made into a short film. He invited me to attend a screenwriters group that met every other week. I accepted his invitation and started attending.

When the first Salt Lake Comic Con was announced, Blake was hired to be the Programming Director. He approached me and several other writers and artists and asked if we'd like to participate as panelists. I accepted that invitation as well. Thus began an almost decade-long relationship with Blake and the convention. I started as a panelists and a few years later, I began helping Blake and his team as an Assistant Programming Director. 

It's difficult to express just what this friendship has meant to me. Because of Blake giving me an opportunity, I've made life-long friends in the writing community. I submitted a novel that was published by those friends and I've had so many incredible experiences that I doubt would have happened had I not entered that screenwriting class years ago and struck up a conversation with the very approachable Blake Casselman.

The news of Blake stepping down reached our panelist community on New Years Day. As part of his team, I knew of his decision earlier. I know the reaction of the other panelists because it was mine as well--shock, sadness, a feeling that the convention that we all love had lost a kind and selfless soul. Many of us know how hard he fought for us, but few understood just how hard he fought. Working with him behind the scenes, I saw.

The FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention will continue. Blake with participate with us, but this time as a panelists, an incredible weight no longer resting on his shoulders. It'll be nice to see him free to enjoy the event that owes so much of its existence to him, so much that makes the event special because of him. If you know Blake, you understand. I, and so many, are fortunate to call him friend.

Attending Convention Classes...Realizing What I DON'T Know

The 2018 version of Fyrecon is over. It was another successful conference. For me, there were differences in last year's convention and this one. The biggest change this time was I hardly attended any of the classes or panels.

Except for one.

I went to the Screenwriting Essentials: Building a Cinematic Story class presented by Blake Casselman and David Howard. And it was excellent. It made me realize just how much I don't know. 

I know that statement makes me sound like I knew everything about the craft before I walked into the classroom. I didn't think about that consciously, but maybe on some level I thought about it unconsciously. I've been studying writing and screenwriting for over a decade--not intensively, but off and on. And I've attended several conferences and attended many classes talking about this specific thing--how to become a successful screenwriter. Throw in being a part of a screenwriting writing group and I thought I would have heard everything they were going to talk about before.

That's what surprised me. Even though I've heard much of the lecture before, being part of a discussion fires up the brain, makes me think of new things, and inspires me to the possibilities. Also, the presenters brought up things I hadn't considered, things I really need to know if I want to have success writing screenplays.

For most of the convention this year I manned the vendor table. There were literally dozens of classes spanning the past three days. Maning the table representing the publishing company is important, but I know I could have gotten a lot out of those panels, if I had only gone. 

Next year plans are already being made for Fyrecon 3. I hope I'm fortunate enough to be part of it and I hope also I can take advantage of the classes. There was a lot of excellent knowledge at this year's convention, as I expect there to be next year. And if I attend them, I'm sure I'll come out of those classes realizing yet again how much I don't know.

Salt Lake Comic Cons And FanX...Amazing Experiences, Lives Changed!

There's no other way to look at this--I'm one incredibly lucky fella! Last week I did a little cleaning in my room. I have a spot on a bookshelf where I put my convention lanyards and passes. I've kept every Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX pass I've been given since 2013. Tonight I spread them out and just looked at them.

There's a lot of amazing experiences packed into those plastic passes.

Back in the summer of 2013 I was asked by a friend if I'd like to help out with the first Comic Con in Salt Lake. I was beyond honored. But even I had no idea just what that simple question would mean to my future, to the future of my family, and my career. Had I known, I might have been even more excited (if that were possible...). 

Because of these conventions, I have meet people who I may not have met otherwise, people who have helped me with my writing, helped me get stories published, helped me secure my first novel contract. The book comes out a week from today. I've been on panels with world-famous authors, filmmakers, artists. I've met some of the most beautiful people at these events. 

I know some who diss comic cons. They make fun of the people who go, the people who spend hours of time creating costumes--be they good or not so good--all in the name of fun. They can't understand how people would spend their hard-earned cash for the opportunity to wait in long lines to spend five minutes with their favorite celebrities, leaving only with a signed photo. They can't understand it--it doesn't compute in their minds, and it probably never will.

I feel a little sad for those who think this way. But the great thing about these conventions are those who go couldn't give a flying flip about what others think. Personally, these shows have changed lives--mine included. In years past, the next convention would be a few weeks away, but not this year. We'll have to wait until September. I've been fortunate enough to help out and be a special guest at each one so far. I hope that streak continues, but if it doesn't, I'll always be grateful to Blake, Ryan, Dan, Bryan, and the literally thousands of others who have helped me become a better writer, a better salesman, a better communicator, a better person. 

I can't wait for the next one!

The Upper Rows Of Lower Bowl...

Tonight a few friends and I attended a Utah Jazz game.

They played the Miami Heat.

I had a blast.

The tickets were in exchange for a favor some friends and I did last month. Unfortunately, those friends were unable to make it to tonight's game. Instead I contacted another friend and asked him if he wanted to go.

"You know," he said as we found our seats and sat down. "These are the best seats I've ever had for a Jazz game." That made me feel good. He told me as we watched the home team struggle in the first half, that he used to have season tickets back when the Delta Center was first built, but--and he showed me where those seats were--his season tickets were up there. He pointed to the upper, upper bowl. He explained why he stopped going to the games all those years ago. He made the right decision.

In the fourth quarter the fans were informed that if a Miami Heat player missed both free throw attempts--in a row--then every fan would get a free chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A. The first Heat player went 1-1. The second player, though. He missed the first one.

The place started to go nuts. An older Asian gentleman next to me was standing on his feet. He turned to me and yelled, "One more and we get chicken!" 

That was the funniest thing! I laughed and laughed.

Turns out, the player missed the second and screams filled the arena. Looks like we're getting chicken!

It was so much fun inviting my friend and his family. It's weird. I've seen my share of Jazz games--some of the games the only way I could have been closer to the action is if I was a Utah Jazz player. I've been fortunate enough to go to these games because I have great friends who have invited me in the past. Tonight was different. This time I was able to take friends instead of being the friend who is taken. It's a good feeling.

Oh, and to make things even better, the home team won.

Thanks Randy! Thanks Jeff and Marlisa! And thanks Blake and family for going tonight.

"Adopting Trouble"...The Result Of A Lot Of Hard Work

I was invited to a screening of a new film. It's called Adopting Trouble. It's a locally produced film, written and starring many people I know personally. I'm glad I was invited and even more glad I went. As I sat and watched the story unfold, it occurred to me just how much work goes into a film. Each scene, each measure of music had to come from somewhere until it all mixed together and became a finished product. It's really a miracle.

I've known the films writers for several years. Seeing their hard work pay off, seeing their vision come to life was inspiring. It made me realize that something that begins as an idea in someone's mind can--with a TON of hard work--become something amazing.

When it comes to the film, there's a lot of details that I don't know. I don't know how much it cost to make. I know it wasn't much, and I'm not saying that because of the production quality. I just know many involved in making the movie and I know they're not rolling in cash. I don't know exactly how long it took to make, but I know it was years.

Watching the show made me want to go home and write, to take all those excuses and crush them under my foot. I've met several authors who have seen their stories get published. I even know a couple of musicians who have released albums. They all have one thing in common--they put in the work and fought through all the doubts and fears and insecurities that come with creating art.

I have no idea how the film will do. I hope it does very well. I know the creators have high hopes that it reaches a lot of people, but even if it doesn't, they have done something many only dream of. They began with an idea, did what it took to get it funded and made. Like I said, it's really a miracle.

POLAIK, The Teacher...Blake Cassleman

Up next, Blake Casselman--he's my next POLAIK (Profile Of Local Authors/Artists I Know...). I can, with confidence, say that if I have never met and gotten to know Blake, many of my blog posts over the last eighteen months would have been different, very different.

Let me explain.

I first met Blake back in 2012 at a LTUE conference. I decided to attend a class on screenwriting. I had some experience in screenwriting. I had written a short screenplay that was turned into a short film. I had even won some awards. That day I walked into the classroom and met Blake and Michaelbrent Collings, both extremely talented individuals who have had a huge impact on my writing career.

Because I attended that class and had done a little screenwriting, I was invited to attend the Utah Film Writer's Group that met in SLC twice a month. Because I attended (sporadically...) those meetings, I was asked to attended something on a slightly larger scale--Salt Lake Comic Con and I've been asked back each time.

That's how Blake has affected my life. He's allowed me to meet some of the most amazing authors and artists.

And Blake takes a back seat to none of them!

He's written many many full-length movie scripts, many many short stories, and he's even co-written a graphic novel, Devil's Triangle, and it's good!

But take all these talents that are crammed into this one person and for all of that, he's as good or better a person. Because of all the shows I've done I haven't had a chance to spend a lot of time with Blake lately. He's been very busy as well. Thankfully both of us were panelists at this year's LTUE Symposium--we even shared a panel where we discussed the amazing works of Philip K. Dick. It was great just to sit and hear him and the other talents authors and panelist chat about an author we all admire.

Blake is a writer, a screenwriter, a producer and everything else that needs doing when creating a film. He's also an instructor, something I believe suites him well. He knows his stuff and his nature is such that he enjoys seeing others succeed. He teaches at the Salt Lake Screenwriting Seminars. 

I can't say enough good things about Blake. After all, he's given me so many great blog post topics about which to write. Thanks, Blake, for everything!

FanX-Perience Preserved In Pictures...

 

My friend's been bugging me about posting some of my Salt Lake Comic Con 2014 FanX photos. Truth be told, I didn't take a lot of pictures--I usually take a lot more at such an event, but my mission at the conference was a little different. I was trying to meet people, sound somewhat intelligent (which is another word for "qualified"...) on the panels and strengthen relationships. And besides, if I took a picture of every cool thing I saw over those three days, I wouldn't have had time to do anything else.

So, here are some photos! Thanks goes to Kenn Johnson for sending me the only photo of me at a panel (that I know of, anyway...). Thanks to Dave and Candice for the table space! And a HUGE thanks to Blake Cassleman for the invite. I had a fantastic time!