Just thought I'd drop a note to let anyone who's interested about my two new projects on the site here. One's a short but sweet trailer I made for school and the other, a brief look into the chances we take with our own curiosity.

As with all of my films, if you have any special interest in them, I recommend you checking out my site. I've got every production I've ever made up that includes pictures, a brief synopsis and a little about the making of the film.

In case you don't feel like taking the time to search through the new films, they can be found under my name, JP Saalfield. Let me know what you think.

I've also decided to take on a new genre in filmmaking to broaden my techniques.

I was wondering how you approach storytelling. Do you mainly stick to one way, one genre, or do you branch out and have a variety. I myself have been in the drama/thriller for quite some time and feel like something fresh. That's why I've decided to try comedy. Has boredom inspired any one of you to try new ways of storytelling?

Just some thoughts. Write away.

should my signature be related to filmmaking considering that's what the whole boards about?
I think not, but why not...
stories are the key
and you are the lock...

the best stories and ideas come from the outside and their experiences

I did view your two new pieces this morning. I really liked CURIOSITY, but with one screenwriting flaw (you can read the review), but that's just my opinion (who the heck am I?)! I thought it was very well shot and edited.

The same goes for THE RECYCLER. Again, well shot, but the storyline and acting (mainly the girl) didn't do too much for me.

You're very good with a camera, directing and editing (and not a bad actor either). I enjoy watching your stuff when it's posted.

As for writing, I mainly write comedies - and plays at that! My first short was from a play that I wrote three years ago and adapted to a screenplay. I have three "dramas" in the works, but they aren't nearly as easy for me to write as comedy. (In fact, I sent you a short script to review a couple of weeks ago, but I guess you've been busy - that's ok!)

I'm now up to my eyeballs in my first ever documentary and I'm beginning that script now. This represents a new area for me (though I like docs) and a huge opportunity.

I think we should try writing different genres, but I also think that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I just hope docs aren't my weakness!

Keep shooting.

Mark M
Scooter Productions

Personally, I have stuff in just about every genre. Although I only have one romantic comedy concept worth attempting to flesh out.

Now, when I was younger pretty much all I was interested in was action flicks, and making action flicks but that passed. Mainly because making an itellegent action film is almost impossible to acomplish. Now, I have almost everything (atleast in concept form) I seem to write alot of suspense/thriller stuff, but also have straight drama, supernatural thrillers, horror, comedy, action, ect. as well as morphed variations of all of the above.

I think stepping out into other genres really helps you hone your storytelling skills. You dont shoot a horror the same way you shoot a comedy. We are visual storytellers, and have to determine what visuals compliment the story at hand. Good for you for getting out there to try something new. Nothing wrong with checking out some classics in whatever genre your pursue, and seeing what the greats have done before. The only chance we have of surpassing them, is understanding the "hows" and "whys" of what they did. Best of luck man.

R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans

I like action movies as well, but I find them the hardest to write. Like Tizzy stated, it's hard to make an intelligent action film. I'm pretty sure he ment an action movie that has action, but also has a great plot...this way the movie can actually considered good and original outside the action. Look at the Matrix, good story & action. That's hard to do.

-TacoWagonProductions

Q.What did the right leg say to the left leg?
A. Watch out for the guy in the middle. He's a real dick

I would say go out and write, direct, produce, edit and anything else you can do for each genre. Make a comedy, make a horror flick, make an action film if you can, then go and make a silent black and white drama.

All of this will only help in the future as you can all imagine. As a film maker, you will be able to do anything if asked of you.

I'm thinking about doing a love story next personally and in the mean time directing, producing, writing, Dping my newest film and helping about 3 friends of mine with their films...Just keep working!!!!

The ones who keep an open mind are those in the end who give a piece of "mind". So keep your "mind rite".

Besides filming, the only other thing I ever did good was filming.