Have you ever fantasized about writing a screenplay? One that could knock the socks off of viewers and critics alike? In award-winning screenwriter Gary Weinberg’s latest round of classes, you might be able to do just that. Experiencing the “Hollywood” dream in Sacramento has rarely been so attainable since Weinberg has expanded his popular two-class screenwriting series into a three-course comprehensive curriculum. And he’s done so on the heels of winning one of Hollywood’s most prestigious screenwriting competitions.       Continuing the tradition he began at the Tangent Art Gallery back in May, Weinberg will again offer Screenwriting 101: A Four-Hour Introduction to the Art and B

Jay Leno brought his signature blend of late-night humor and stand-up comedy to a nearly sold-out Thunder Valley Casino and Resort stage on Friday night. This was no typical late night line-up, but a more salty appearance by one of the kings of late-night television. The evening began with KCRA Channel 3 anchor Walt Gray taking the stage to introduce Jay Leno. Before the introduction Walt took a moment to rib himself and Jay a little. First mentioning a little pre-show mix-up of Jay’s plane landing at the wrong airport (Sacramento instead of Lincoln) and then about his own new Droid phone he received for work and how his young son had to teach him how to use it. It was nice to see a loca

       As the first generation of novice Sacramento screenwriters are about to “graduate” from the rigorous twelve-week training intensive, a second session is about to begin. From August 24th through November 9th, Los Angeles writer-actor-producer Gary Weinberg will once again guide Sacramento students through the ins and outs of the art of screenwriting in his class called Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive. Students who take the class will learn the craft and the business of screenwriting, with an emphasis on how these manifest in the current Los Angeles film and television industry.        Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive will begin with the basic elements of narrative, and t

Next time you're watching a reality TV home-improvement show, pay attention to the house, the street, the neighborhood on your screen. You just might recognize it. That's because the Idea Factory, an independent TV production company based in Sacramento, has three hit shows on the DIY Network. And it's about to add a fourth show to that lineup, when "Bath Crashers" begins airing Monday. To debut the show, DIY Network has scheduled "Crash Week" — five nights of back-to-back shows from all four series, running from 8 p.m. to midnight, Monday through July 9. The other shows are "House Crashers," "Yard Crashers" and "Turf War." With "Yard Crashers" launching the high-energy franchise only f

Nine students who entered the doors of Curtis Park's Tangent Art Gallery on May 11th will be leaving with something more than a stimulating experience in a room full of eclectic art. They'll be leaving with a ninety-to-one-hundred-ten page document tucked under their arms, and a clear vision of what this sheaf of paper could look like on a big screen. These nine students are in the process of completing their first full-length screenplay or teleplay, and for every one of them, this journey is the culmination of years of dreaming a story inside them, and longing to get it onto paper. The class that started it all is called Screenwriting 101, an introduction to the screenwriting process. S

You might not know it, but Sacramento is a growing market in the entertainment industry. It has it all: actors, directors, models, artist management, production studios and acting coaches. "If you talk to somebody on the street, the general public doesn't know we have an entertainment industry," said Cody Dorkin, actor and founder of Studio 24. "I've been working in the industry since I was a little kid. I've lived up here in Sacramento the entire time, pretty much, and I had no idea what the industry actually held in Sacramento. I think people would be surprised to know that there are probably over 40 entertainment companies in Sacramento." Studio 24 will host the First Annual Entertain

Local television personality Mark S. Allen got his start in radio in the 80's on local station FM 102.5. He then went on to serve as producer/host of a segment called "Dateless and Desperate" on an Emmy award winning nationally syndicated teen show called "Scratch" '90-'94, and hosted "Short Attention Span Theater" '92-94 on Comedy Central (following John Stewart, and before Mark Marin). After twelve years as Entertainment Reporter and Co-Host of CW 31's Good Day Sacramento, Mr. Allen has certainly made his "Mark" in Sacramento after taking home two (2) Emmy's for his show "Mark at the Movies" to which he serves as Host and Executive Producer.  Emmy's were presented at the National Academ

     On May 11th, the doors of Curtis Park's eclectic Tangent Art Gallery will open to admit Sacramentans who would like to explore the world of professional screenwriting. From May 11th through July 27th, Los Angeles writer-actor-producer Gary Weinberg will guide Sacramento students through the ins and outs of the art of screenwriting in his class entitled "Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive." Students who take the class will learn the craft and business of screenwriting, with an emphasis on how these manifest in the current Los Angeles film and television industry.      "Screenwriting: An Eight Week Intensive" will begin with the basic elements of narrative, and then move to story st

 Dear "Cheaters", There is no easy way to say this, so I'm just gonna spit it out:  I've been seeing someone else.  I want you to know that I'll always have love for you.  When I was new to town, you took me in, and I'll never forget that.  We'll always have Oregon basketball; who knows, maybe we can ring in the new arena together next fall. You need to understand that it's not you, it's me.  Please, don't cry.  Stop it.  You're a still wonderful bar, I've just found someone I'm more compatible with.   It's been going on a few weeks now. I wanted to watch the Giants game and grab a beer, but it was raining, and I didn't want to go all the way down Folsom to do it. I'd noticed this plac

ACCESS SACRAMENTO presents New Scriptwriting Class - PCS 2010 By popular demand, we now offer special a scriptwriting class (three Saturdays, 10am - 2pm) on writing "short form" film scripts. Polish your PCS entry or take the short course to further your film writing skills. Limited enrollment - $50 fee per session. Register in advance at Access Sacramento by calling (916) 456-8600 "0" with a credit card. Need not be an Access Sacramento member or Sacramento County resident to sign-up for this class. Sign-up early - class will fill fast. Matt is in great demand as a script writing teacher.  The “Place Called Sacramento” script entry deadline is Monday, April 19th, at noon.   Saturdays -

Are you laid off? Are you in a dead end job? Is it time to put your passion to work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, maybe it’s time for you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business. But do you have what it takes? Entrepreneur and “mergeronomist” Larry Mandelberg joins me for an insightful conversation Sunday night on “Good Work NOW!” on Channel 17 at 7:30 PM. Larry says that an entrepreneur is “someone that sees something that others don’t - they bring new ideas to old ideas and create something that hasn’t existed before”. He adds that successful entrepreneurs are “curious and always learning” and “have a high tolerance for risk”.  One point that he made du

The next time you find yourself unable to stop worrying about something at work, try doing some yoga or meditation right in your workspace. That’s right – you don’t need to go to the gym, take numerous classes, or have a private office or yoga mat! You also won’t feel awkward doing it at work. Yoga and meditation instructor, Shakti, joins me this Sunday on “Good Work NOW!” on Channel 17 at 7:30 PM. I first met Shakti in 2004 when I took a yoga class as part of my grief recovery when my partner died suddenly in 2003. That class was a positive, healing experience. The words that come to my mind that best describe Shakti are calming, centered, peaceful, uncomplicated and wise. On Sunday’s

In today's job market, it's important to be career resilient.  Dr. Maureen White, President-Elect of the California Career Development Association and Jeff Dunn, Corporate Recruiter, join host Dr. Brian Moffitt on Sunday's edition of Good Work NOW!, May 3, 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast, Surewest, AT&T or live stream at www.AccessSacramento.org, encore streaming Monday, May 4, 11:30 - 12:00 Noon).  The show features a discussion of many of Dr. White's tips for achieving career resilience, including: 1) Diversify Your Economic Base - Take a good look at your skills and see which ones are transferable to other jobs or careers. 2) Share Virtual Space - Consider sharing a website (or

The 12 Sacramento Works Career Centers throughout the Sacramento region offer free career and business services to individuals and employers.  Individuals can receive free career counseling and help with resumes, interviewing skills, networking, and job search.  In addition, current and prospective entrepreneurs can receive help with starting or expanding their own business at one of the four business information centers.  Employers can receive free assistance with recruiting and training your workforce.  There are a variety of library materials that you can check out as well as workshops.  For more information, watch "Good Work NOW!" on Sunday, April 26, 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Channel 17 (Comc

Larry Mandelberg, entrepreneur and "mergeronomist" appears on "Good Work NOW!" on Sunday, April 19, 7:30 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast., Surewest, AT&T or live stream www.accesssacramento.org).  Mandelberg, who has had 9 successful businesses, discusses what it takes to be an entrepreneur, including "vision, performance and morale".  Your vision needs to be strong enough to carry you through the hardwork.  He also shares that most entrepreneurs have to wear many hats.  "Mergeronomy" is the study of bringing separate groups or cultures together. Mandelberg is founding director of "Bullseye Integration".  Good Work NOW! is a weekly cable show featuring local experts that focus on finding a job,

At about 8:15 p.m. Friday night, to my surprise, I walked into a very empty Empire night club. I was feeling completely lost and confused, when suddenly two people walked in and asked the lady with the clipboard, "Are we in the right place for the casting call?" Sure enough I was right where I was supposed to be to try out for Paris Hilton's "My New B.F.F." The line was not out the door, I was actually the first one there. I sat down, got an application and filled it out while sitting on a big white couch. Some of the questions included, "What's your idea of a fabulous night out? What would your friends say are your best qualities? What's your typical day like?" Although the questions s

Did you get a new gadget for the holidays and need to get rid of the old one? Considering buying a new TV for the DTV conversion next month? Electronic waste (E-Waste), such as televisions, VCRs, computers, and iPods cannot be just thrown out in the garbage. There are four easy ways to properly recycle your E-Waste devices in the City of Sacramento. 1) Neighborhood Clean-Up Program: Residential rate payers are entitled to one free clean-up day per year to dispose of bulky waste. This includes E-Waste. To learn more or to schedule an appointment call Customer Service by dialing 311or (916) 264-5011. 2) The City of Sacramento Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts E-Waste. CRT’s (telev

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces: The City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Department wants to help you prepare for the digital conversion. We will be assisting with the online application for a T.V. Converter box discount coupon. What’s happening? The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009. WHEN: Saturday, January 17, 2009 TIME: 10:00 AM -12:30 PM WHERE: South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Road Who will be affected? Anyone using a television set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay telev

Today was a sad day for my remote. But my blood pressure will remain stable when I cease to see overdraft charges after Comcast has taken close to a hundred dollars out of my account each month right before my rent check is about to go through. I turned in my DVR box. I downgraded. My pride is still intact, even though I got rid of the Food Network, MTV, the Style Network and many other channels. The transaction was smooth, however it was not congratulatory on the customer service representative's end the way it usually is when you are upgrading. It's frustrating to see how Comcast has monopolized many of the Midtown neighborhoods and the Sacramento area at large. My apartment does not