Introduce Yourself : Greetings! by Jack Hilkewich

Fellow Canadian :) You have a very cool bio! Nice to meet you

Hi Wendy, nice to meet you too! Looks like you're doing well with your writing! Keep up the good work.

Well I'm writing.. doing well .. well it's all relative :) - thank you ...

I hear you. The hardest thing about writing is getting people to read what you've wrote. Getting people that can do something with your script, if they like it, is even harder. But you've obviously have some skill due to your placements in those contests. One day the right person will read a script of yours and it will click with them and then...

Welcome to the community, Jack Hilkewich. Congratulations on all of your success! How was it working on "Sharknado VR: Eye of the Storm”?

Hello, Maurice. Well now that it has been a few years since we finished that game and I have had some time to recover, it was stressful. We had lot's of hiccups along the way and budget cuts. I did get to go to the premiere of the last Sharknado film in Marina Del Ray to showcase the game that was a lot of fun. Made a little video of it: https://youtu.be/RYRoG6WgcoY

Hi Jack Hilkewich - so nice to meet you! Welcome to Stage 32! I watched a lot of Canadian tv growing up and remember Street Sense segments - so cool to learn you were apart of that!

Thanks for the video, Jack Hilkewich. I checked it out. The game looks fun. I know about the "Sharknado" movies, but I didn't know there was a VR game. I want to see more VR movies and shows. I think there's big potential for them.

Hi Shellie, nice to meet you as well. Those CBC days were a lifetime ago. It was a fun show to do segments for. I think I did about 4 in total.

Maurice Vaughan , The company I work for almost exclusively makes VR content for games and training. I am not sold on using VR for films, at least not yet. We did some development on a film that was shot for VR and It wasn't a enjoyable way to view a film. Once the novelty wore off then one realized it wasn't a good way to view a narrative film. You are locked in one place and the whole thing is a wide shot, essentially. Now VR in games is a lot different as you have freedom to move, if the game allows it. Then you can focus on what you want to focus on from any angle.

Oh, I meant movies and shows with VR storylines, Jack Hilkewich. The main characters in the movies and shows would use VR headsets and controllers, so the audience would see the movies and shows in first-person (like the first-person view in the movie "Hardcore Henry"). I've written two short scripts like this. I think these type of first-person VR movies and shows would be hits.

Ahh, I see what you mean, Maurice Vaughan . I feel that would make a lot of people sick. We struggle a lot in our creation of VR content on how to allow people the freedom to move with out causing motion sickness. The best way to do that is to have a wide open area where the user can walk freely without hitting real obstacles. but this is not practical for most people. I have had a number of VR presentations that were like a FPS view and it's hard not to get sick. Your brain says, hey we're moving but your body says, No we're not. This conflict cause the sickness.

You can develop VR legs if you continually expose yourself to VR FPS movement but it take time. I would suspect that astronauts would have a good tolerance to VR

Jack Hilkewich what's “Mainprize” about?

Thanks for the insight, Jack Hilkewich! I'll keep it in mind if I write more VR storylines. Maybe VR storylines with less movement.

Wendy Appelbaum it is about a small town doctor, the communities he served and how hard it was to survive during the time period of the film, 1911 to 1976. Here is a website with more information. It hasn't been updated in a while. I am currently editing it now. www.mainprizeproject.ca

I will check it out - thanks!

Welcome to the Stage 32 community Jack Hilkewich !

Thanks, Sydney!

Jack Hilkewich this is most definitely going to resonate in our country - keep me posted on this - rooting for it!

Jack Hilkewich Have you seen this? In addition to the screenplay this would also be an interesting medium to showcase this - https://magazine.atavist.com/submissions/

I meant documentary not screenplay

Wendy Appelbaum Thanks for the link, I will check it out!

Hi, Jack! Very excited for your journey ahead. Best of luck to you!

Sydney S Thanks, Sydney! I know life is a journey and not a destination but I have been traveling so long that I would like a small pit stop. Writing seems to be the one thing that a person can do without having to co0ordinate a large amount of money, cast and crew. I wrote "The Wrecker" with the intent of directing it. Once I was done I realized that writing it scratched that itch. I would love to see what others could do with it, and I am already writing my second feature script. I think writing will be my new thing whether or not if anything happens with it.

You got bit by the screenwriting bug, Jack Hilkewich! :D What genre(s) is your second feature script?

Maurice Vaughan it is a straight action film. It is a spec script from based upon a idea from a studio in Canada. It is not something I am really comfortable writing so it is a bit challenging to me. They want something straight forward none artsy but I am trying to add some depth where I can.

Congratulations on the project, Jack Hilkewich! That's great that you're adding depth to the script. I think straight action movies (and any movie) should have depth, if only a little. Hope you're able to overcome the challenge and finish.

Hi Jack - great to meet you here. I’m the Director of Education here at Stage 32. If I can ever be of any help on your Stage 32 journey or recommend any of our education to help you achieve your goals please email me directly at edu@stage32.com. Have a great IYW!

Sam Sokolow Thanks! Is there one service you would recommend to start with?

I am hoping to get information from both sides, those that work here and those that don't. I know you have to make money in order to keep the doors open and that is OK. I also want to get information from those who have used your services and may have an opinion as to which one worked the best for them. I have a set budget for submitting to contests and screenwriting services so I am just wanting to get the best I can for my measly budget.

I volunteer for Stage 32, Jack Hilkewich, but I don't work for the platform. I've taken some great webinars on here, so I think that puts me on the side of "those who have used your services and may have an opinion as to which one worked the best for them." :) My favorite two webinars are probably these:

"Pitching Tips from the Pros: Your Blueprint to a Successful Pitch" www.stage32.com/webinars/Pitching-Tips-from-the-Pros-Your-Blueprint-to-a...

"How to Write Your Script for Budget and Schedule so Producers Will Actually Want to Make It" www.stage32.com/webinars/How-to-Write-Your-Script-for-Budget-and-Schedul...

Maurice Vaughan Thank you so much for your insight. I will check these out. I would be weak at pitching a script I think.

You're welcome, Jack Hilkewich. I'm sure you'll get better at pitching with practice. I have.

Maurice Vaughan have you had to do an actual pitch? If so, how did it go?

Yes, Jack Hilkewich, I've done three or four written pitches (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions). The feedback helped me rewrite my pitches and my scripts, which led to script requests and pitch deck requests from producers, directors, and production companies.

Hello Jack! Welcome to Stage32.

Hello Hello, welcome!

Maurice Vaughan Jeez, I was thinking an actual verbal pitch where you were standing up in front of a bunch of people pleading your heart out.

Stage 32 has verbal pitches too, Jack. They're done through Skype.

Pitching becomes easier the more you do it, but these days most pitches are done virtually. I've pitched to a producer twice now, and both times they loved the ideas. I remember the first day I ever pitched like yesterday though, and the jitters of nervousness are never forgotten. I assure you it eventually gets easier and easier once you realize producers, directors, actors...all of us are just creative people with end goals that equal seeing great ideas become reality. Remember, we're all human. :)

@Sarah Wonderful viewpoint and so true. Well said. @Jack welcome to Stage 32. Leap in and have fun.

Hello, Sai and Dathane, nice to meet you and nice to be here.

Thanks, Tom. I am liking what I see so far. A very helpful community!

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jack. :)

Hi Jack, I am the Director of Development Services. My team and I would love to learn more about what you are working on and point you to all the resources we have to offer on Stage 32. Shoot me an email at success@stage32.com and let me know a little more about your projects and your goals! Always happy to help.