"Know Your Story"
UNTURNING STEEL
For the last twelve months (on and off), I’ve enjoyed working on this project in close collaboration with Producer/Director Michael Wood (see Creative Colleague Showcase below.) My duties included developing and writing a feature screenplay, helping create a pitch deck, writing articles and other material. Most recently, I reviewed interview transcripts, created a short version of the script, and provided in-depth support for the editing.
The short version is screening this Thursday at MARCON - the 28th Annual Maintenance and Reliability Conference at Knoxville Convention Center. This short will also be part of a presentation for the U.S. Congress next month.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Live Stream and Discussion this Thursday
RSVP for free HERE
ABOUT THE FILM
Unturning Steel is a documentary that features reliability engineer and U.S. military veteran Bill Leahy as he works to provide service members with a path forward after returning home. In the aftermath of tragedy, Bill sets out on a hero’s journey to help his fellow veterans bring their talents to American manufacturing. Together with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Bill has created a new offering that provides veterans the support and training they need to find purpose in American manufacturing.
But in a society falling short of offering proper support to both veterans and manufacturers, will Bill realize his vision? Will veterans find those employment opportunities as American manufacturing experiences a new renaissance in the 21st century.
U.S. Military Writing Experience
For the Unturning Steel crew, Michael hired mainly U.S. Veterans, a few people like me who’ve worked on military-related communication projects. He liked that I helped share soldiers’ stories as researcher/scriptwriter for five major interactive exhibits at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. I also wrote a series of audio and video 1-minute PSAs for an Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention educational campaign. (A lot of them are pretty intense - here’s an example suited for general public.) All the Army projects were as a subcontractor with my longtime client Showreel, Inc. now Shot Glass Films.
San Diego Media Pros Board Advisor
San Diego Media Pros is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting crew, industry and community in San Diego county. They’re in the process of implementing dynamic new ways to support and promote members.
I’m happy to share that I started a voluntary position as an Advisor to the Board, working with President Michael Wood, past President Jane Hare, Board Member Lynne Arciero (Media Producer and owner of REV Studios in La Jolla) and many other awesome San Diego creative professionals. My focus in this role is around my specialty of writing. I’m also getting to put in my two cents on various initiatives.
My first task was to provide written inspiration and guideline for creating effective bios that will also help with a more consistent style across the website.
Creative Colleague Showcase
“Know your story, understand your audience, and don't wait till it's perfect.”
- Michael Wood
Resource
San Diego Media Pros
Online and in-person educational workshops and networking events, resources. Map and database for production resources in San Diego County.