December 2013 Newsletter

SYTVCN – Newsletter December 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL FROM SELL YOUR TV CONCEPT NOW!

Unwrap a gift early and join us for a free virtual workshop this week on Thursday, 12/12.Hosted by Jeanne and Mark:
“Pitch WITHOUT an Agent”

L.A. EVENTS SPOTLIGHT

Mark spent most of the month in November at several big television and film conferences and events in Los Angeles, along with Jeanne for a couple events, so let’s go walking in a tinsel wonderland photo journey for this month’s special December edition of the newsletter.

“Wax on, wax off?”
You couldn’t get through the lobby of Mark and Jeanne’s hotel in L.A. without passing this figure of “Glee” actress Jane Lynch promoting the local Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum attraction. So why not take advantage of it? We’re not so sure the real Jane Lynch would be so non-reactive about being… woman-handled. But then, you never know.

Here’s Mark (left) talking with Chris Wedge, the director of “Ice Age, “Robots,” “Epic,” and the Executive Director of all the “Ice Age” sequels, “Horton Hears a Who,” and “Rio.” But kids are probably more impressed he is also the voice of poor, loveable Scrat.

Jeanne, Tom (voice of Spongebob) & Mark

Animation World Summit 2013The Animation World Summit was an event by Animation Magazine, which Mark has often contributed to. And, in the animation world, you can’t get much bigger than a little yellow sponge wearing pants. Right is Jeanne and Mark with Tom Kenney, the actual ‘voice’ of SpongeBob Squarepants.

Mark, Max Howard, Joan Vogelesang and Jeanne

Mark’s mentor and good friend Max Howard, former President of Warner Bros. Animation and producer of “The Iron Giant” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” was there. Peek around Mark to see him here, along with Joan Vogelesang, CEO of Toon Boom, and Jeanne.

Mark and “Cyber Optics” Kathy Messick

Kathy Messick is a longtime SYTCN client and the creator of the animated series, “Cyber Optics,” which Mark directed the pilot for. She scored a deal at the Summit to launch her series as a motion comic.

One of the great perks of Mark’s experience at the Summit was a private tour of three animation production houses, including The Mill (special effects), Titmouse, and Sony Pictures Animation.

Another great perk was getting to try out this Virtual Camera System with presets from a Sony “Spiderman” movie where you actually get to re-direct a sequence with your own camera moves extrapolated to reproduce the scene.

Click on the video picture above to see Mark’s brief wrap-up of the tour.

The next amazing event Mark and Jeanne attended was a high-level joint summit between entertainment industry representatives for both the United States and China at the historic downtown Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles.

Peter Shaio, CEO Orb Media with Jeanne and Mark

The purpose of the Summit was to help promote joint ventures in both television and film between the U.S. and China. Mark and Jeanne have already made the leap working closely on upcoming projects with producing partner Peter Shaio, CEO of Orb Media, who was also the chair of this event.

Keynote speakers at the event, who were also on hand to spearhead the efforts, included former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, who is currently the Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, and producer and former co-founder of Orion Pictures, Mike Medavoy (“Platoon,” “Amadeus,” “Robocop.”) More than 600 attended the event, and the improved cooperation between our industries promises fantastic opportunities for both television series and feature film creators.

American Film Market (AFM)
The next 8-day event Mark attended at the Loew’s hotel in Santa Monica was the American Film Market, where feature producers, filmmakers and distributon companies hook up for deals.

Mark was there with client Kristin Alexandre to help her promote and market two feature screenplays she wrote with Wayne; “Gem City,” and her latest thriller, “Altar Rock.”

Our client, Kristin, is ready to pitch. (AFM)
Kristin made the finals of the AFM pitch contest, and here she is seen giving her pitch for “Altar Rock.” She did a great job in a high pressure situation, and was approached directly after the pitch contest by a producer asking to read her script.

Kristin does a great job at AFM pitch contest
Downtime between mentoring clients at the event, and hanging over the balcony in the lobby, Mark spent his evenings working with his Cintiq Companion on his Wacom tablet finishing production on a music video for a group called The Machine Stops.

It’s a shame Mark can’t relax and enjoy himself.

Right, Mark with The Machine Stop band members Glenn and Jim Pratt (middle) having a serious moment.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Who Else Wants to Pitch TV Execs Face-to-Face?

The Winter television conferences are less than two months away. Getting your show noticed by the right people is all about being in the right place, at the right time. Selling your show is all about showing up at the conferences prepared, confident and ready to pitch.

Mark and Jeanne created the Hit Maker Tour so their clients got the results they wanted at the conferences. The Tour includes pre-conference virtual training (no travel required) and Mark or Jeanne as onsite conference mentors so you get more pitches than you ever thought possible!

Spaces are limited for the Hit Maker Tour and we have a few openings for each of the conferences below.

For any kind of non-fiction show including game shows, documentaries, and competition shows…
Your best bet is the Realscreen Summit in Washington, D.C. running January 26-29.

Our exclusive Discount Code knocks $451 off the registration rate for Realscreen.

Call 407-351-0893 or email: team@sellyourtvconceptnow.com with CODES in subject line and leave your name, number and a best time to contact.

For scripted dramas, sitcoms, and sci-fi…

Your best bet is NATPE Market and Conference, National Association of Television Programming Executives, in Miami Beach, Florida, running January 27-29. Besides a spectacular setting at the iconic Fountainbleau Miami Beach Resort, this event attracts plenty of movers and shakers, and not just the ones speaking at events, or officially on hand on the convention room floor. One of or Hit Maker Tour Tour members scored an agent and top level meetings in L.A. for her show and got an offer by working the events and making more than 400 personal contacts.

Use our exclusive promo discount code and save $425 on NATPE registration.

Call us at 407-351-0893 or email team@sellyourtvconceptnow.com and give us your name and phone number and best time to contact you. Put CODES in the subject line.

For shows for kids aged 0 – 15, live-action or animated…

Your best best is Kidscreen Summit at the Hilton in New York City running February 9-14.

natpe
Again, we have a Discount Code: good for $300 off the registration rate for Kidscreen. Call 407-351-0893 and leave your name, number and best time to get back to you and that you want the code. Or email: team@sellyourtvconceptnow.com with “codes” in subject line.

Both Mark and Jeanne will be attending Kidscreen this year, so this is an optimum chance to take advantage of that Hit Maker Tour and get TWO mentors for the price of one at the conference to help you market your show.

Hit Maker Tour members practice pitch at dinner.

What is the Hit Maker Tour?
“It’s the heart and soul of our business. It’s getting you in front of network executives and pitching with absolute confidence.”
– Jeanne Simon

The Hit Maker Tour Tour provides pre-conference material reviews and pitch practice, and on-site mentors to make sure you get the most
out of your conference investment. Call 407-351-0893 for more info or email team@sellyourtvconceptnow.com.

Andreas Deja, Max Howard and Mark

On to Burbank, where Mark attended the Creative Talent Network, hobnobbing with plenty of animation greats. Left, Mark hangs out with Andreas Deja, who is responsible for creating some of Disney’s most iconic villains (Scar in “The Lion King,” Gaston in “Beauty in the Beast,” and Jafar in “Aladdin”) and Max Howard. Andreas was the first animator Mark ever met in Hollywood in 1986, and the person who gave Mark a private tour of the Disney Animation Studios, an experience he will never forget.

Peter Shiao, Mark, Barry Cook, Jeffrey Scott, and Steven Hahn

Here is the first executive meeting with all the principals involved for an as-yet secret animation project Mark is involved in. Besides Orb Media CEO and friend Peter Shiao; Barry Cook is the Director or Co-Director of such major animation films as Disney’s “Mulan,” “Arthur Christmas,” and the upcoming “Walking with Dinosaurs.” Jeffrey Scott is a writer of many animated television series, including “Dragon Tales,” and “Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and also has the distinction of being the grandson of Three Stooges legend Moe Howard. Steven Hahn is the owner of Hahn Productions. Stay tuned for more details on what this group is up to.

Mark, Jenni Gold, RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad) & Jeff Maynard

The last event Mark attended before leaving L.A. was a screening of an awesome new documentary, “Cinemability” by our good friend and director Jenni Gold about the experience and contributions of disabled actors and performers throughout the history of film and television. Inspiring, uplifting and empowering are apt descriptions. Be sure to catch this film if it comes to your town. Mark is pictured above with Jenni, RJ Mitte (Walt, Jr. in “Breaking Bad,”) and Jenni’s partner and producer Jeff Maynard. More information about the film and where it’s playing can be found at: www.cinemability.com

Okay, we’re out of breath just re-capping the three-week whirlwind in L.A., but we hope you enjoyed the journey.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Chances are, for this past Thanksgiving or upcoming Christmas, you are serving a big bird. But probably not as big as the one Jeanne and Mark are preparing. We figure this one should be good for leftovers for the better part of 2014, so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop on by for a mutant leg or a thigh. And also to help look for Mark. We haven’t seen him since he entered the Turkey with the stuffing barrel.