Dan Founder Of MoviePlayoffs.com

What is "MoviePlayoffs"?

MoviePlayoffs.com is a site for passionate movie fans. On our home page, we run tournaments like Best Movie of All Time, Best Actor of All Time, Best Director of All Time, etc.  The public determines the winners – not the critics. To make it more exciting, all tournaments are in a single-elimination format. We run an annual Best Movie (enter year here) tournament so the public will determine Best Picture for the year, not just an academy with slightly over 5,000 people. This will take time, but if we stick with it, we believe this tournament has incredible potential. Why should an academy choose over the people?

We also have a 10 Minute Movie Contest, where amateur filmmakers can show off their work. This is our busiest page and offers great exposure. One production company is already looking into one of the short films from Season 1.

We also have other games like Movie Unscramble, Movieball, Title Tournament, and Name That Movie. The winner for each contest goes on the Champions Page forever, which our members enjoy.

What inspired you to create "MoviePlayoffs"?

About 10 years ago, I wanted to make it a TV show, but I didn’t have the connections. The idea was on the backburner for a while. After I found out late in 2010 that I was going to be making less money at my job in 2011, I decided I didn’t want to depend on anyone else anymore. I knew it would be a long road, but strongly believed there were hundreds of thousands of people out there who would enjoy MoviePlayoffs.com. That’s when I contacted Joe, the site designer, to see if this would be possible.

How do you define success?

Not having to answer to anyone. :)

How do you handle rejection?

The most talented people in the world always say that you can’t please everyone all of the time. When I get rejected, I just think about that.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

James Cameron. Genius.

How has your life changed since you created "MoviePlayoffs"?

I have no time to do anything, but I enjoy working on the site. The tough part is working to make money at the same time.

What do you like to do besides running your site?

Travel with family, watch movies, play softball and poker.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

T2, The Matrix, Field of Dreams, The Breakfast Club, The Big Lebowski. I don’t watch much TV other than the NFL.

How would you describe your film education?

Zero.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

Almost non-existent.

How has social media changed the film industry?

It has helped the indie community tremendously, which is very cool.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

I have noticed that many independent filmmakers are more talented than many professional filmmakers. That’s why people are watching more short films these days.

You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Saving Private Ryan. I want to see how they filmed that incredible opening scene.

What’s your favorite movie quote and why?

“What’s your favorite movie?” “Flowers for Algernon.” “That’s not a movie.” “Haven’t seen it.”

Funny and clever. Adaptation is a clever movie all around.

Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes.

Do you ever wish you had a super power? If so, what would it be and why?

To be able to accomplish three tasks at once. Because you would get three times as much out of life.

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

I believe quality is quality and garbage is garbage. Depends on remake/sequel.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Depends on movie/book. I’m not against it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes. MoviePlayoffs.com would not be even remotely possible without Joe’s help. He designed the site and manages a lot of the everyday tasks. He’s easy to work with, intelligent and creative.

Author C.J. West

C.J. West is the author of the thrillers The End of Marking Time, Sin and Vengeance, A Demon Awaits, Gretchen Greene and Taking Stock. Sin and Vengeance, the first book in C.J.’s Randy Black series, is currently in development for film with Beantown Productions, LLC (screenplay by Marla Cukor). C.J. also hosts a Blog Talk Radio show which features interviews of contemporary thriller and suspense writers. Find C.J. at www.22wb.com or at www.cjwestkills.wordpress.com.

What is the current project you are working on?

I'm finishing up Addicted to Love, a thriller about being madly in love. It's a departure from traditional suspense novels, but I really enjoyed writing about the feeling you get when you are so attached to someone that the rest of the world fades away. Addicted to Love is due October 18. I'm also working on a new 5 book series that is more of a traditional mystery series and I'm really excited to take the plunge into writing.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

The early stages of a writing project are for me what it must be like to be hooked on drugs. When I commit to a concept for a new book, I can lock myself in a room and work for days on end and be perfectly content. Plotting a new book, researching science or hobbies or locales, and writing those early drafts are great fun for me.

What is the worst thing about being one?

Poverty.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

I've worked on 6 books, 5 published and one due this year. I've also worked on one film adaptation (of one of my books) as an advisor. The film adaptation of Sin & Vengeance was a great experience for me even though the adaptation was written by Marla Cukor.

Who is your favorite author?

I really admire Tim Hallinan for his ability to craft lyrical prose.

What are some of your favorite books?

I have really enjoyed: Relic, Through Violet Eyes, Blackhawk Down, Death Troupe and many others.

How would you describe the writing "scene" where you live?

There is no writing scene where I live. I'm in the country where I can find 100 wild animals for every writer I encounter. The solitude makes this a fantastic place to work. I take long walks and soak in the scenery and when I'm finished I'm energized to get back into my work.

How has social media changed the publishing industry?

The combination of social media and electronic publishing have made it possible to make a living as a mid-list writer. I think that is the most important change in the writing community in many years. Readers can connect

with new authors, sample their work, and tell them what they thought of it all without leaving home. This is a remarkable change that is already having a major impact on the industry.

What is your thought process like when you're writing?

As I have matured as a writer, I've begun to think more strategically about my stories. I enjoy exploring my characters' lives and as I learn about them, I think about how to tell their story so it will delight readers.

You could have any super power. What would it be?

I want to have the power to entertain millions of people with my stories.

Author S.M Boyce

S.M. Boyce, a fantasy and paranormal fiction novelist who also writes contemporary fiction and comedy. She updates her blog (http://smboyce.blogspot.com/p/smboycecom.html) a few times each week so that you have something to wake you up in the morning.




What is the current project you are working on?


I just published my debut novel, The Grimoire: Lichgates, and I’m about to start on its sequel. I’ve been plotting and designing the Grimoire Trilogy for over six years, so it’s a dream come true to see it come to life.

I’m also running tons of contests for free downloads, exclusive artwork, and more on the book’s website: www.TheGrimoireBooks.com. You can read never-before-seen short stories from the book, deleted chapters, read excerpts and character sketches, and so much more. Go on over – it’s fun!

 What is the best thing about being a writer?


The crazy late-night parties and heavy drinking. Oh wait, that’s rock stars? Never mind.

 

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to become a writer?


Stay true to yourself. People will mark up your work and say that you suck: that just happens any time you put yourself out there.  St the end of the day, all that matters is whether or not you like what you write. Be true to yourself, be true to your work, and do what makes you happy.

  

 Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, and I’m just lucky that my parents supported me even when I told them I didn’t want to be a lawyer. My first story was about a pickle who was the last one in the jar, and the poor little thing just wanted to be eaten. I was six, so I should hope that my stories have improved somewhat since then.




 What inspired you to become writer?


It was never really a choice. I know that one of the main lessons in The Grimoire trilogy is how life is full of choices , but if I’m not writing, I feel kind of empty. It’s something I have always been driven to do and I’m just not complete unless I’ve written something today.

 


What do you like to do besides writing?


There’s a life outside of writing?

Just kidding. I’m a wife and we have about the weirdest dog ever, but I love the little guy anyway.  I love biking and rock climbing (bouldering on the safe little rubber holds). I also test software in my J-O-B and read as much as I can.

 How would you describe your education?


I’m a trained writer with a bachelors in Creative Writing from the Florida State University, which is a tough program to complete. I really enjoyed my time there and made some great friends that actually did the beta reading of my novel before it was published. There’s a lot of talent there, and I know how lucky I am to have been a part of it.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

I know that a lot of writers are against movie adaptations, but I think it’s the greatest tool available to get your story out to the most people possible. Think about it: not everyone likes to read. That’s fine. But if you create a movie, you bring that story to a wider audience than you could have originally. The catch is that you need to find a good screen writer or do it yourself, because the storyline can be otherwise corrupted in the conversion process.

 

 What are some of your favorite books?


Hmm, is this a trick question? Let’s see. To name a few: The Hobbit (Tolkien); Neverwhere (Gaiman); The Harry Potter Series (Rowling); Ender’s Game (Card).

I also host a book blog, which you can find by going to my website at www.smboyce.com. I review tons of books in all genres there, so you can find some great recommendations.

Filmmaker And Communication/Development Manager For The Sidewalk Film Festival

This week, Rebecca will start a new job as the Assignment Manager for WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama. Most recently she was the Communication Manager for the Sidewalk Film Festival and during the off season co-directed/produced her first short film titled CRUSH. Before that Rebecca worked in Television News for 13 years at various stations around the country.

What is the current project you are working on?

I am working on a short film titled CRUSH - One woman's quest to find the perfect chair. The film tells the story of relationships...each chair representing a different type of relationship.

How do you define success?

Success is what you make of it. It's setting your goals and going for it. You can tell say to yourself that you want to do something, but it is doing it that makes you successful.

How do you handle rejection?

With my relationships or something else? Rejection is a part of life. You may not also get want you want, but you learn from those experiences and gain knowledge on how to do it better next time.


What inspired you to become involved in the independent film industry?

I have always had a love for film. I worked in TV news for 13 years and working in that environment you tell stories everyday. You bring that persons story to other people.

How has your life changed since you became involved with the film industry?

The biggest change is just the people that I have met over the years, it is great meeting new people involved in film and hearing their stories about their journey doing something they love.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to create your film "Crush"?

CRUSH was not my full time job. I work in the TV News industry and have been for 13 years. And for 2 years I was involved with the non-profit that produces the Sidewalk Film Festival.


Do you think doing PR/marketing for the  Sidewalk Film Festival gave you a unique perspective when it came to creating your film?

I think it gave me pointers on how to submit to festivals, how to talk to the staff working the festivals and seeing how other filmmakers market their films.


What are some of your favorite films you saw at the Sidewalk Film Festival?

Too many to list!! My favorite film of the year has been PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES, which I had the opportunity to see at SXSW this year (and was Sidewalk's closing night film). This is my personal favorite because it told the story of an industry that I was in for so long and really hit home, to paraphrase David Carr in the film "the newsroom turned into sheet cakes and good-byes"


What was it like hanging out with filmmaker Sean Hackett and film critic Nic Baisley at the festival?

This is an odd question. Sean and Nic are great folks. Nic I got to meet at SXSW and Sean I met through Sidewalk because his film HOMECOMING was screening. I don't get to "hang-out" a lot at the festival - I think someone nicknamed me "drive-by" this year, because I was so busy running around making sure the festival was running, didn't have much time other to say hi and bye. Sean is one to watch - he is a great filmmaker and will have a huge career and is a geek which I loved - it always made my day to see him in some sort of Star Wars t-shirt. Nic is a great journalist and a fun person to be around. You should check him out at filmsnobbery.com


What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become involved in the independent film industry?  

Just do it. Honestly just do it. I kept saying to myself for years - about 7 - that I want to do this...and you know what I finally did. You have to keep your chin-up and make sure you are always networking, you never know who you are going to meet next.

Who are your favorite filmmakers? 

Too many to list. Every filmmaker brings a different thing to the table - we are all artists.

How would you describe your film education? 

None - I went to school to go into TV News, but along the way met people that were making films and got involved in any way I could. If that meant just holding a script for an actor - I did it. Don't let not having a "formal" education in film to stop you from accomplishing your dreams. Learn as you go and get involved.


How would you describe the film "scene" where you live? 

Right now, I don't know! I just moved to Huntsville, AL. But Birmingham, Alabama has a great group of talented filmmakers. It is a great place to be, where you are surrounded by so many creative people. It is a great group and I am happy to call them friends.


How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Network, network, network. Social media gives you a place to meet and interact with people you would maybe never meet. I have so many people that I would call friends that I have met through Twitter, but have never met in person. It is always a treat when you do finally get to put a voice and face to someone you have been talking to for years. With any industry it is about networking and getting to know other people that are involved. Did I say networking?

Do you believe in life on other planets?

Yes. The universe is way to big and there is so much out there that we have not yet discovered. We are gains of sand on a tiny rock. Have you seen the images from the Hubble telescope????


What's your favorite movie quote and why?

"Enough now, enough" Love Actually. Makes my heart tight everytime.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows:

Gosh...lets see...I love so many. I am a huge sci-fi geek - so name one and it is probably on my list. I love watching all types of foreign films and anime films....I don't think I have seen one I didn't like. It is really cool to see what filmmakers in other countries are doing too. TV Shows...man....okay I guess I will give you a small list: Community is my current favorite comedy show, and I am looking forward to checking out some of the new dramas coming up this fall and really hope that FOX schedules Locke & Key soon!

Filmmaker Brian McAllister

Brian McAllister is a director and editor based in New York City. He recently edited Jonathan Caouette's feature film "Walk Away Renee" which screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival (Critic's Week). Brian has produced, shot and edited several television series for networks like A&E, The Bio Channel, OWN, and Speed. He has directed several short films such as "Awaking Grace" (Fairfield Cinefest "Director's Vision" 2006).

What is "The Man At The Counter" about?

A boy who works at a coffee shop notices an old man repeatedly stealing sugar packets. The boy attempts to solve the mystery of the stolen sugar, and when the answer isn't at all what he expected, he is forced to deal with some of life's most basic questions. For more info, check out TheManAtTheCounter.com

What was it like having "Man At The Counter" screen at the New Hampshire Film Festival?

Great! It's always fun having your film seen by an audience, and I grew up in New Hampshire so it was especially fun at NHFF.

How do you measure success?

If you're happy and fulfilled doing what you're doing, you're successful.

How do you handle rejection?

It's part of life and a huge part of the film business. There's always going to be someone or something who rejects your work. I've found that you just have to keep going, working, learning and believe in yourself throughout all of it.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

I was always telling stories, then i started making movies and couldn't stop...so yes?

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

There are so many different ways to tell a story with filmmaking. The endless creativity and the ability to affect people really drew me to it.

What is the best thing about being one?

It fills me with such passion and emotion that I know it's the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.

What is the worst thing about being one?

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and drink bad coffee.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

I have lots of favorites. Lately I've been re-watching alot of Richard Linklater's films. I really appreciate his ability to consistently make quality films, all of which are very different from one another.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Do it. Whatever it is you want to do, just go do it. If you want to write, write a screenplay. If you want to direct, make a film. If you want to shoot, find a camera. The only way to "make it" is by doing. Work hard and get after it.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is so great for independent film, and a wonderful way to utilize your network, friends, and family and get your project made. For my short film, "The Man at the Counter", we used Kickstarter to raise $10,000 and make our film. If you had told me 2 years ago that this was possible, I wouldn't have believed you.

You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

I would have loved to see the making of Raging Bull specifically for how Scorsese dealt with his actors during that process. The level of acting in that film is mind blowing.

What's your favorite movie quote and why?

"In art, economy is always beauty." -Henry James

It's all about efficiently using your available resources. Also, economy in the editing of a film is crucial. If a moment or scene doesn't feel right in the flow of a film, cut it. Almost every time, that is the right choice.

Author/Screenwriter Tony Harrington

Tony Harrington is the author of the novel "Frayed" (Under Anthony Harrington), and the screenwriter for "Genrefinity", a web-based comedy series currently at 92% funny rating on funny or die. He has written the script for "Genrefinity: The Movie", a full length feature based on the web series, to be produced by RPM Films in Chicago, IL.
Tony resides in Little Rock, AR where he is currently working on his second novel. He is a contributing writer for www.Genrefinity.net and www.spiritseekersblog.org

What is the current project you are working on?

I am currently working on a feature film script based on a web comedy series we produced a few years ago. The film is called “Genrefinity” and it is about three friends who are attempting to re-launch a failed website dedicated to all things genre. “Genrefinity” is what you would call a gross-out comedy, in the vein of Judd Apatow and Seth MacFarlane.

 Did you always want to be a writer?

Gosh, for as long as I can remember. Even before I could write I was always telling stories. If I could find an audience there would be stories being told. If they happened to be a captive audience, such as in a car ride or snowed in, even better.

 What inspired you to become writer?

The passion to tell stories has always been inside me. One day I found an old typewriter in my Grandmother’s attic and that is really all that it took. I remember I saved up my allowance, bought a ream of paper from this small office supply store by my house and began writing short stories.

At the time, I equated “scary” with blood and guts, having cut my horror teeth on films like “Friday the 13^th” so most of my first short stories were about people being killed in ridiculously horrible ways. Looking back on it now, I am surprised my parents didn’t have me psychologically evaluated. If they did, they were slick about it and I was none the wiser.

 What is the best thing about being a writer?

The best thing about being a writer is having total control over this world that you created. In a work-a-day world, we seldom get to have that much control over what happens. Be it good or bad, things just happen and for the most part they are out of our control. When writing, it is the writer calling the shots and we can determine what happens to our characters. I won’t say it is a god complex, but it is liberating to have that kind of power.

Also, the reward of someone reading what you wrote and genuinely liking it, that is worth more than a paycheck. I think all writers want to be liked. Anyone who says they are writing for themselves alone has a fool for an audience.

What is the worst thing about being one?

Rejection is always difficult. I eventually ended up self-publishing a novel I wrote after no one would look at it because I was an unknown writer. Publishing houses just weren’t interested, end of story. The rejection letters came fast and furious, and that was based on a query only, not a submission. I grew thick skin very fast. I think anyone would.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

I have worked on 2 collaborations which were privately published, I wrote a novel and I am currently working on a follow-up. I wrote 7 scripts for “Genrefinity: The Series” of which four were filmed and are currently available for purchase at Amazon.com and I have written the script for the feature film based on the series. My output isn’t staggering by any stretch of the imagination. I like to take my time. I am not in a rush to become famous.

I have done some ghost writing for stand-up comedians in the local scene. The downside to that is no one will ever know because the comedians are the ones getting the glory. I have been to a show where the jokes I wrote have gotten huge laughs and I think, “Gosh, I could do that. I could be up on stage making the funny.” But then I have seen a joke flop and I am glad it is not me up there on the stage.

 How has your life changed since you became a writer?

I find that I have a lot more creative people in my life and I am constantly being asked to read things. It is the equivalent of buying a pick-up truck. You go from just a regular guy to everyone’s best friend come moving day. But, it is rewarding. People want to collaborate with me; I find that I am hanging out with other writers, seeing my words come to life via actors on film. I am never going to make a ton of money off of this but I am having so much in the process.

 What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to become a writer?

You write because you have to. If it is a compulsion that borderlines on obsession, then just write. It gets easier and you get better the more you do it. You are a writer because you write, not because you get published. If you have written a short story, a novel, poetry, or a screenplay, even if it never sees the light of day, congratulations, you are a writer. You have done something that not everyone can do. At the risk of sounding like a Nike commercial, just do it.


What do you like to do besides writing?

I watch a ridiculous amount of horror movies. I am a paranormal investigator, so anything related to ghosts immediately gets my attention. I don’t know that I 100% believe in ghosts, I am searching for something and this is part of that journey. I have seen things though that I can’t scientifically explain away.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a writer?

Countless, and to be honest, writing doesn’t really pay the bills unless you are a NY Times bestselling author. I maintain a full-time job working for a publishing company in their educational software development field. But I still get to write: training materials, technical documents, newsletters, etc. I always find a way to put something to paper.

 How would you describe your education?

Educational. There wasn’t anything in particular during my education process that made me want to be a writer. I remember having a very difficult time in high school with a particular teacher, and that really defined me. English class of all things! I thought she was stifling my creativity; I was so angst-ridden as a teen. I decided to deliberately fail her class, so I did absolutely no work all year and made it up in night school. That showed her!
How would you describe the writing "scene" where you live?

I live in Little Rock, Arkansas. I moved here from Baltimore, MD and I thought I could kiss the writing scene goodbye. But I am lucky to have found that there is a thriving art scene in the city and beyond. I have met and become friends with some wonderful writers and journalists within the city. Melissa Francis who writes the awesome YA books “Bite Me” and “Love Sucks” is a beautiful human being who is witty, charming, 100% awesome.

Alan Lowe, author of “The Ghosts of Little Rock: Tales of the City’s Most Haunted Places” is a close friend, his second book is coming out in the fall of 2012.

The local bookstores overflow with great works by local authors, I love going into the indie bookstore here in town and spending hours shopping and buying.


 How has social media changed the film industry?

It used to take a ridiculously long time to build a good word-of-mouth buzz about a film. They call them “sleeper hits”. A decade ago a little film called “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” slowly built a following and became a critical darling over the course of a year. Two years ago, “Paranormal Activity” went from an unknown micro-budget film to multi-million dollar box office smash in months. Twitter, Facebook and other social media played a huge part in marketing the film. The studio even tapped into this new medium by having people vote to get the film into their town.

There are more resources out there for funding such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other sites that allow filmmakers to reach out to the public for help. It’s how films are being made now.

What is your thought process like when you’re writing?

Slow and steady wins the race. Everyone wants to get to the end. No one starts reading a book to get to the middle. The writing process is the same. I am always concerned I am over-writing or explaining too much. It makes me anxious and I sometimes have to stop, take a step back and start back up. I don’t want to be like J.R.R. Tolkien and spend twenty pages describing a tree, but I also don’t want to be vague. My thought process is basically “Stay on course”. It’s not fancy, it’s not always pretty, but it’s consistent.

 You could be any animal. Which would you be?

I always think being a dog would be the ideal life. You get free food, free medical care, someone cleans up your poop. That seems like a pretty sweet deal. With my luck I would end up in a puppy mill with teats that drag on the ground from nursing so many pups. Assuming I would end up as a female dog…and knowing my luck…

You could have any super power. What would it be?

I would say flying, but I would end up getting sucked into a jet engine or something. I think being able to turn invisible would be awesome. I would totally sneak into the movies. Isn’t that a shame? I could spy on anyone I wanted to and instead I choose to sneak into the cinema.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptations?

Yikes. That is a loaded question! Taking a book and turning it into a visual medium has to be difficult, I do not envy a filmmaker who has been tasked to take a beloved novel and turn it into a film.
I think the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy worked better as a movie franchise than as a book. They were concise and avoided the pitfalls of over-exposition.

For the success of “LOTR”, Peter Jackson really dropped the ball in converting “The Lovely Bones” from a beloved bestseller and we ended up with a visually impressive film, but it was hollow compared to the rich storytelling that was found in the source material.

In the end, books are books and movies are movies. I think we are way too hard on filmmakers when they deliver something that doesn’t meet our expectations when adapting a beloved book to film. If you like the books then read the books again and forego watching the film.

Filmmaker Yulin Kuang

Yulin Kuang is an independent filmmaker, in her final year of studying creative writing and film & media studies at Carnegie Mellon University. She has produced two webseries and a number of short films. Her screenplay, "First Kiss", was one of three finalists in a Pittsburgh screenwriting competition and is currently in development as a short film. She has worked at ABC, 7ate9 Entertainment, Leeding Media, and is currently looking into the daunting world of post-grad employment.

What is the current project you are working on?

I'm currently fundraising for my short film, "First Kiss", which is the story of a fourteen-year-old boy who finds out a pretty girl wants to kiss him at his best friend's Spin the Bottle Party. I was pulling from the traditions of shows like The Wonder Years and John Hughes films - basically, it's my ode to the agonies of adolescence.

Link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/509602191/first-kiss-a-short-film

I'm also starting production on the second season of a webseries called "Echo Chamber", which I'm producing for the site TVTropes.org.

Link: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WebOriginal/EchoChamber?from=Main.EchoChamber

How do you measure success?

In high school, I used to draft up these long, elaborate timelines for my future, and I figured I'd measure success according to how close I was to living up to my fourteen-year-old self's expectations. I still have some goals in place, and those are more or less my benchmarks for success now. I think it's always good to have something to work towards.

How do you handle rejection?

The first time I was ever in a competition, I was six or seven years old and my art teacher submitted my finger painting into a county-wide contest. I made it to the finalist level but I didn't win. When my mom told me the news, I burst into tears and felt like crap for a few hours until I was distracted by something else new and more interesting. For the most part, I don't think my rejection-handling strategies have changed much.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

My concentration is actually in writing for television - I picked up short films in college because I realized there's a lot more room for experimentation in films than there is in television. Not that television can't be experimental and thought-provoking and awesome, because I think the best kind of television is all those things in addition to structured narrative and that's what makes TV my favorite medium for storytelling. But films do tend to take more risks and exploratory ventures off the beaten path, and that's something that's interesting to me right now.

What inspired you to become filmmaker?

I used to watch hours and hours of TV growing up - at first, with my parents when we first moved to Kansas from Guangzhou, China, because it was the easiest way for them to pick up the language. But then, it was just because I really, really loved it. Eventually my mother told me I was wasting my time with it, so I decided to pursue a career in writing for television/filmmaking so I could call it "research" and prove her wrong.

What is the best thing about being one?

As a student filmmaker, I think the best thing is just being surrounded by all these creative, hyper-talented people who have all committed themselves to making your movie, working crazy hours for free pizza and soda. There's a great sense of community that develops, and when you finally produce something after all those hours and days and months of hard work and you show it to other people and they like it... it's probably the best feeling in the world.

What is the worst thing about being one?

I guess on the flip-side of the equation, filmmaking is very much a collaborative effort. I'm a creative writing student as well, and with fiction you get these lovely long periods of solitude where you can spend days writing a short story about dust motes and ants, and nothing's really stopping you from progressing other than yourself. With filmmaking, it's so much harder just in terms of logistics - you write the script when you're in your own little world, then you decide to turn it into something real and all these other people are involved and they want to know about location fees and where the outlets are so we can get the right lighting set up and all these other questions that take more people to answer and feed while they're on set. But like I said, all the little traumas related to filmmaking are pretty much worth it in the long haul.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Two webseries (Zombie College Musical and Echo Chamber), a couple of shorts being prepped for festival submission, spec scripts, and literally hundreds of files in my "working title" folder ranging from scene fragments and outlines to features and novels.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

In the editing clusters where we pretty much do post-production for days on end, we have this game called "Whose coffee would you get for a year?" My favorites tend to be Joss Whedon, Tina Fey, and Aaron Sorkin - which might be cheating a bit because they all have a foot in the television industry. But I think they're also incredibly interesting filmmakers. Joss Whedon and his crew, especially, have done some amazing things with Dr. Horrible and I'm so looking forward to seeing his upcoming independent projects. Woody Allen, Christopher Nolan, JJ Abrams, and John Hughes are also fantastic and inspirational and I read their scripts and wonder how they do it.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

I don't have the answer to this one yet, since I'm still trying to make it myself. Check back with me in a couple of years?

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

I watch TV like it's my job. Hopefully it will be one day soon.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

I'm still a student - but I'm more or less a perpetual intern. The summer after my freshman year, I was the international sales & marketing intern at a publishing house, but after that I was pretty set on a film/TV track.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

When Harry Met Sally is probably the most-played film on my Netflix instant-play. I have the shooting script on my desk, just because. My sensibilities tend to veer towards teen dramas and romantic comedies. Almost Famous is another favorite. Thank You For Smoking is one of my favorite screenplays. Of the classics, Sunset Boulevard, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Sound of Music. As far as foreign films go, Gosford Park and The History Boys when I'm in the mood for British accents. Hors de Prix is a wonderfully clever French romantic comedy that I'm in love with.

Oh, God, there are so many TV shows that have changed my life... The Wonder Years is probably the greatest single influence on my writing. Sometimes I feel as though we don't have any shows on right now that reflect an honest view of my teenage experience. I see the kids on MTV and the CW and I just think, 'God, those kids are so much cooler than I ever was.' Where's the Dawson's Creek or Freaks and Geeks for this decade? Veronica Mars and Party Down are also favorites. The West Wing has some of the best scripts I think television has ever seen. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all-time favorite portrayals of high school. Bryan Fuller's Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies, I'm just in awe of the execution of those story concepts. Cheers has some fantastic storytelling and characters. Of the shows that are currently on-air, Modern Family, Community, 30 Rock, and Parks & Recreation. Of the British shows, I love Doctor Who, Extras, Coupling, The IT Crowd, and The Inbetweeners.

How would you describe your film education?

I took a number of screenwriting classes here and there, but the most educational experiences were when I was getting my hands dirty working on independent films, and when I was interning in LA over the past two summers.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

Pittsburgh is a great town where a lot of Hollywood films come to shoot when they need a city that's bigger than home but smaller than New York. It's also a great setting for a zombie apocalypse. Based on my own experiences within the Pittsburgh filmmaking community, we have a lot of young talent here and they're always busy working on something or other. But it's less of an industry town, and the scene is definitely much smaller than what I've encountered in LA or New York. In some ways, that can be a good thing - everyone seems to know each other, we all kind of end up working on each other's projects, and there's a sense of community rather than competition that develops. But I think students really intent on pursuing a path in filmmaking do tend to leave Pittsburgh after a few years, and that's just the reality of it.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Having personally developed two webseries in the last year, I would say that it's had an incredible impact. It gives independent filmmakers a whole new platform to reach out to audiences. I think the whole point of filmmaking is to share it with people, so that's terrific. But besides that, I think we're starting to see examples of truly successful social media endeavors - projects like Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog have helped advance storytelling through social media by leaps and bounds. Arcade Fire had a music video, "We Used to Wait", which played with the possibilities of social media that really pushed it past what you can do with simple, straight narrative film. On the whole, I think it's an exciting time for independent filmmakers.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

I think it's terrific. I have a lot of friends who've successfully funded their projects through Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, and anything that's helping to fund the arts is a win in my book.

I'm currently raising funds on Kickstarter for my short film, "First Kiss", mentioned above. Link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/509602191/first-kiss-a-short-film

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

There's more room for experimentation, and there's less money. Which can honestly be a good thing, as it forces creative work-arounds that'll make you a better director in the end.

You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

When Harry Met Sally. I'm just in love with that movie.

What's your favorite movie quote and why?

The History Boys - "The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you'd thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you've never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it's as if a hand has come out, and taken yours." This is pretty much my favorite thing about books, movies, and television.

And I know it's from TV, but hands down favorite quote from anything ever is the closing monologue in the series finale of The Wonder Years. It happens as the camera pulls back on the street that Kevin Arnold grew up on, and we see the street lamps light up, and then fireworks bloom in the sky and we hear older Kevin's final voiceover (and I burst into tears because I'm a sentimental sap)-

"Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next you're gone, but the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a place, a town, a house like a lot of houses, a yard like a lot of other yards, on a street like a lot of other streets. And the thing is, after all these years I still look back with wonder."

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

A lot of them exist just for the sake of existing, which I think is a shame and hurts the market for original stories, but there are occasions where I think a film could benefit from a reinterpretation. People don't stop going to the same plays after seeing one adaptation twenty years ago - part of the point is to add something to the conversation, and to introduce a new generation of audiences to it. So in that sense, remakes can accomplish a lot. And though some sequels are gratuitous, I think there are some stories that benefit from that serialization.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

I consider them separate works in their own right, and enjoy them the better for it. For instance, I like Nick Hornby's film adaptations of his books because I think they take enough liberties from the source material to really tell a different story with the essence of the original, and it's like I get to consume it all over again.