I crafted the latest draft of BLIND PURSUIT with the help of the amazing Janet Jeffries of Lawrence Bender.
I love how my script reads now. I expect even better things to come!
Thank you, Janet!
~ debi
Author: debi
By studying several philosophies that categorize personalities and then interrelating these philosophies, people – including myself – ar
Another Sundance Certificate
I entered this eight week class with a sketchy vision of my zany, crime-drama, darkly comedic one-hour TV pilot Texoma Shrooms and came out with a full outline!
Sundance continues to help me.
Thank you Vanessa Matsui for your incredible notes and Angela LaManna for fun and thorough teaching.
~ debi
TOO MUCH AIR and NYC Midnight
My short screenplay TOO MUCH AIR has advanced to the next round of NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Challenge
“TOO MUCH AIR” by Debi Yazbeck
LOGLINE – Live, love, laugh — even laugh last. But always watch your back.
This was really fun to create and write. I’m excited for my next set of prompts Saturday morning.
What craziness can I devise next… hmmm?
~ debi
Update to: APPLICATION ACCEPTED to SUNDANCE INSTITUTE Director’s Lab
AND NOW I HAVE MY CERTIFICATE!
From this amazing experience with Joan Darling.
Thank you, Sundance Institute
Posted on 8/11/2020:
How can life get better!?
It’s not only about being accepted to Sundance’s Lab — It’s about WHO IS TEACHING!
“JOAN DARLING has been nominated four times for an Emmy (the first woman nominated for directing) and twice for a Directors Guild of America award, winning one of each. She was the original director of MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN. She directed the historic episode of THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, “CHUCKLES” named the number one TV episode of all time. Her feature, FIRST LOVE was named one of the years ten best by CBS. She starred on Broadway, and was a series regular on OWEN MARSHALL. Darling is also a teacher, known for her “Directing the Actor Workshop,” and has served as a Creative Advisor at the Sundance Institute’s Directors Lab for over twenty years.”
SUNFLOWER CARE written by the fricking amazingly talented Della Greenawalt is the project I applied with and will be working on. What better way to be the best director I can possibly be to several exceptionally talented actors?!
WOOOOHOOOO!
~ debi
Long Lost
How did I lose this?!
No matter – Max graciously sent me a new one.
Thank you, Max Adams and the Academy of Film Writing!
Hugs and kisses to you, Max. You laid the foundation and helped me grow as a screenwriter way past anything I ever dreamed.
This certificate means so much to me and will hang on my wall of fame.
~ debi
VOICE OF DISSENT
My newest screenplay makes its contest debut at LA International Screenplay Awards.
Thank you, LAISA!
~ debi
AND p.s.
I completely missed this announcement.
VOICE OF DISSENT was still titled EDDY JEAN when it made Quarter-Finalist…
2020 Winners
Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition
BLIND PURSUIT made the list also! Yay!
OUT OF THE WALLS and AUSTIN REVOLUTION FILM FESTIVAL
I am crazzzy excited that OUT OF THE WALLS is an Official Selection at ARFF!
Because of Covid, the festival is being delayed until March 25-27, 2021.
I will be there! No way I’ll miss a live screening in Austin.
And no way I’ll miss ARFF – such a fun festival.
~ debi
Please join me in shouting out to ARFF:
Twenty Years Ago
Sometimes it seems like a different lifetime and sometimes it seems like he was here yesterday.
Nevertheless, twenty years ago today, Gary Yazbeck was taken from Russell, Rachel and me.
I’ll never stop missing him. That’s not an option.
~ debi
TOMORROW SHEA
The talented and stunning Tomorrow Shea won these awards for LEADING ACTRESS in OUT OF THE WALLS!
Thank you, Tomorrow, for your kind and generous nature and for making the filming of OUT OF THE WALLS a delight!
~ debi
Striving to Direct Film
As I embark on this journey (more exciting than anything I’ve done previously) I’m gobbling up knowledge as quickly as my brain can absorb.
I produced and directed my first short PRELUDE TO MURDER IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN earlier this year under the tutelage of Sundance’s Collab program. The award winning directors, Julia Solomonoff and Danielle Lessovitz taught the lab — wow! I will direct my next short in September.
I can’t read books on the art of directing fast enough. I can’t view enough online classes and seminars.
But no matter what, I’ve recognized a truth that is absolute no matter where I turn…
Every really good director I’ve communicated with has these things in common: humility, honesty, a love for actors and a willingness to help those of us who want to learn and grow.
I’m humbled by their attitude and hope I’m there some day.
~ debi