Catalina Film Festival 2024

Barbara J. Ross and her husband Mike, wearing festival badges, at the Catalina Film Festival

At B Story Media, I immerse myself in the dynamic world of film by attending various festivals, but none captivates me quite like the Catalina Film Festival. As a writer, connecting with fellow creative minds, producers, and industry insiders at this event is an exhilarating experience. The vibrant atmosphere, filled with glamorous parties and the anticipation of award-winning nominees, ignites my passion for storytelling. Whether I'm crafting screenplays, novels, or collaborating with producers on compelling narratives, the inspiration I gather from the Catalina Film Festival fuels my creative drive and elevates my work to new heights. Join me on this thrilling journey through the magic of cinema.

Blog card reading Voiceovers, with a photo of screenwriter Barbara Ross on a dark blue background
By Barbara Ross • September 17, 2026
Voiceover isn't cheating, but captioning the frame is. Goodfellas and Sunset Boulevard show the difference, and one test tells you which one you wrote.
Blog card reading Writing the Sex Scene, with a photo of screenwriter Barbara Ross on a dark blue ba
By Barbara Ross • September 16, 2026
The good sex scenes are negotiations. Write the decision, not the choreography, and remember the agent and the line producer read the pages too.
Blog card reading What the Deal Memo Locks In, with a photo of screenwriter Barbara Ross on a dark b
By Barbara Ross • September 15, 2026
The deal memo takes an afternoon and the lawyers argue from it for a year. Credit, rewrite steps, bonus triggers, reversion: know your three before the call.
Blog card reading Know Who You're Pitching, with a photo of screenwriter Barbara Ross on a dark blue
By Barbara Ross • September 14, 2026
Lenders don't buy scripts. Fifteen minutes of research tells you whether the name on your desk is equity or debt, and whether your pitch has any chance.
Barbara J. Ross and a friend in a red dress laughing by the ocean
May 22, 2023
Networking is hard for an introvert, but it's part of a writer's life. Here's how I prepare for writers' events, break the ice and follow up afterward.
A woman in an Elizabethan gown and ruff collar stands in a stone alley in A Discovery of Witches
April 26, 2023
Lighting, framing, editing and color grading shape a scene's mood and subtext. Here's why I think screenwriters should write with the camera in mind.
Barbara J. Ross holding her Best Writer trophy at Austin Film Festival Under the Stars
December 28, 2021
My rewrite of #WHATNEXT won Best Writer at Austin Film Festival Under the Stars, and the short also took the People's award. What a night!
#WHATNEXT poster for Austin Under the Stars 2021, comedy, directed by Stanislava Ivy
By Barbara Ross • October 7, 2021
#WHATNEXT, starring Marietta Melrose, was invited to screen at Austin Film Festival Under the Stars. I rewrote the script for this comedy short.
#WHATNEXT poster starring Marietta Melrose, written by Barbara J. Ross, directed by Stanislava Ivy
By Barbara Ross • October 7, 2021
I'm so happy for Marietta Melrose: #WHATNEXT was invited to screen at the LA Femme International Film Festival at Regal Cinemas in downtown LA.