SHOOT IN PHILADELPHIA SCREENWRITING PANEL AND SEMINAR SERIES AT SUN CENTER STUDIOS... AND ME?

I was invited by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office to be a panelist for two of the events they were holding at Sun Center Studios in Chester Township, PA. They had opened up their contest to include TV pilots. A former winner of the Shoot in Philadelphia contest, I was more than happy to help.

During PitchFest, I was mostly silent. I've been on panels before, but not on this scale. Not to mention it was surreal to be sitting next to writers I admire such as Marc Rosenthal and Joe Gangemi. Ten people came up to pitch their ideas in front of an audience. I was silent for the first two pitchees. After the third, I offered some vague feedback, sat back and poured myself a generous glass of water. I noticed my hand was shaking.

For the TV Script to Screen Panel, I shared the ten person panel with Danny DeVito, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson and Rebecca Creskoff, producer Leslie Grief, writer Derek Dressler and a surprise guest, Tony Danza.

Mr. DeVito sat silently at the center, stoicially, like the Medici he is. Mr. Danza sat on the far end of the stage. There were some whisperings about them not getting along. The only love I saw on stage was between Rob and Kaitlin, who were holding hands underneath the table during the event.

I was asked only one question, how I got started. I rambled about I wanted to see what my work looked like on its feet, wrote "Sex Ed" and was going to make it into a web series until it was suggested I try it as a pilot presentation, citing "South Park" and the guys who I was sharing the stage with as inspiration. I even mentioned the "finding the director on Craigslist" bit.

Like an amateur douchebag, I brought a bunch of DVDs to hand out to the panelists when better sense kicked in and I just handed out my business cards. I was proud to say I shook hands with both Mr. DeVito and Mr. Danza, who both offered me congrats. I also got to personally thank Rob McElhenney for inspiring me to do something as foolish as producing my own pilot.

The after party at Sun Center Studios was one of the nicest parties I've ever been to. Huge stages. As big as the ones at MGM and Fox.

Then I stole my name card.

I don't know how I got there, or why I did, but I'll never forget the Philadelphia Film Office for treating me like the VIP I one day aspire to be.