The B Story

Catalina Film Festival

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 22:06:31 GMT

Catalina Film Festival 2024

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.

Network like a Star

Mon, 22 May 2023 21:56:57 GMT

Party at LA 5 Rotary Lunch

Networking can be hard for an introvert... but it's still an essential part of a writer's life. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, building meaningful connections can help you advance in your career. And what better way to connect with peers and industry professionals than at writer's events? However, for many writers, the thought of walking up to strangers and striking up a conversation can be intimidating. Here' some of the ways I prepare for a networking event...

Research the event and prepare in advance
Before you attend any writing event, it's essential to do your homework. Research the speakers, attendees, and the topics that will be covered. Make a list of people you would like to meet and potential questions you could ask them. Have a brief introduction about yourself, your writing interests, and what you hope to achieve at the event. This not only makes it easier for you to strike up a conversation and leave a lasting impression. I like to keep my LinkedIn tagline in mind, because it's short and sweet and gets me out of the hot seat fast.

Attend the workshops and panel discussions
Most writing events feature workshops, panel discussions, and author talks, which are great opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and connect with fellow writers. Attend these sessions, actively engage in the discussions, and make sure to take notes. This not only help you improve your craft but also give you something interesting to talk give you material to ask questions.

Break the ice with small talk
Starting a conversation with a stranger can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. Small talk can help break the ice and create a friendly atmosphere. Ask about the other person's writing interests, their favorite book or author, or their experience in the industry. Compliment them on their work or congratulate them on an achievement. Remember, everyone loves to feel appreciated and acknowledged.

Give and Take Business Cards & Connect on Social Media
At writing events, you'll meet several people, and it's impossible to remember everyone's name. I use an electronic card app, HI Hello. Makes it so easy to exchange business cards and connect with them on social media. This will help you keep in touch with them and follow up on potential collaboration opportunities. Make sure to give and take business cards and connect with them on social media to stay in touch. I like to be proactive and reach out too.

Follow up after the event
Following up after the event is just as important as making connections. Send a personal email or LinkedIn message to the people you met, reminding them of your conversation and the things you discussed. Thank them for their time and express your interest in keeping in touch. This will help you maintain a professional relationship and make it easier to connect with them in the future.

Happy networking!

Elicit Desire in a Scene

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:04:42 GMT

Eliciting Desire...

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: The Power of Imaging Systems in Film and TV

As writers, we often focus on crafting the perfect dialogues, story arcs, and character developments for our scripts. However, one vital aspect that often gets overlooked is the imaging system. How a scene is captured, lit, and edited can profoundly impact the tone and emotions of a script. In this blog post, we will explore how imaging systems affect the mood and subtext of a scene in movies or television shows and the importance of considering it as a writer.

One of the most crucial visual elements of a scene is the lighting. Lighting sets the tone for the scene, emphasizing certain areas or characters and casting everything else in shadow. For instance, low-key lighting with harsh shadows in a horror movie can make the scene more unsettling and eerie. In contrast, soft lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in a romantic comedy. As a writer, it is essential to consider the scene's tone and work with the cinematographer to bring it to life.

The framing and perspective of the camera also contribute significantly to the scene's mood. The distance and angle of a shot can implicitly communicate characters' relationships, power hierarchies, and emotional states. For instance, a close-up shot can convey intimacy and emotional intensity, whereas a wide shot can highlight the characters' surroundings and circumstances. As a writer, understanding the visual language of shots can help you better convey your messages to the audience.

The editing process is where the imaging system comes together, setting the film's or TV show's rhythm and pace. The way that shots are arranged, the speed at which they are cut, and the use of transitions can evoke a wide range of emotions or subtle subtext. For instance, a rapid back-and-forth shot can create tension and urgency, while dissolves can indicate a change in time or location. As a writer, working closely with the editor can help you ensure that the intended mood of your scene is conveyed to the audience.

Color grading is another essential part of the imaging system, affecting the scene's color scheme, contrast, and saturation. Color grading can imbue a scene with various emotions or connotations, creating a particular atmosphere or subtext. For instance, a cool blue color palette can convey a somber or melancholic mood, while a warm orange tone can create a sense of excitement or optimism. As a writer, collaborating with the colorist can help you achieve the desired tone and subtext of the scene.

As writers, it is essential to understand an imaging system's impact on a scene's tone and emotions. Collaborating with the cinematographer, editor, and colorist can help you bring your story's visuals to life and convey the intended mood and subtext to the audience. By considering the lighting, framing, editing, and color grading, writers can elevate their scripts from good to great, using the power of a picture to tell a thousand words.

Here are some videos with more great advice on the subject:

Robert McKee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CNj2Rt92Cs

Studio Binder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE4QalFJkpY

Barbara Ross Wins Best Writer Award Austin Film Festival Under The Stars

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 23:04:18 GMT

Barbara Ross Wins Best Writer Award For #WHATNXT @ Austin Film Festival

Winning the Best Writer Award at the Austin Film Festival Under The Stars was a wonderful surprise. My husband, Mike and I were happy to represent Bash Productions and the beautiful actress, Marietta Melrose at this event in their place as they travel the world. This Festival took place at the Lone Star in The Domain at Austin Texas right along with the big one, The Austin Film Festival.

This was the third film festival #whatnext was accepted into and I think you can tell by the look on my face that I was taken by surprise. I'm not used to staying up so late, but this was the last award of the night. The short also won the People's award at this event and we could not be prouder to receive this award on behalf of Bash Productions. Now I have an idea of what the Emmy's and the Oscars might feel like. The motivation is out of this world.

#WHATNEXT Invited to Austin Film Festival

barbross@yahoo.com (Barbara Ross) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 01:05:42 GMT

#WHATNEXT Invited to Austin Film Festival

So happy for our star, Marietta Melrose screening at the Austin Film Festival ...Under the Stars.

#WHATNEXT Invited to La Femme Film Festival

barbross@yahoo.com (Barbara Ross) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:44:42 GMT

#WHATNEXT Invited to La Femme Film Festival

So happy for rising star, Marietta Melrose screening at LA FEMME...All films will be screened at Regal Cinemas at the Staples Center : 1000 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, 90015... Get tickets Hope to meet up at the parties! Connect here for virtual screenings Oct. 14-17th.