Ferdinand W Gernandt

Gratitude to Corinne Hewitt for entrusting me with her novel, "JACOB OF ABBINGTON PICKETS," I have now transformed into the compelling screenplay "BROKEN PRAIRIES."

It's been an incredible journey, and I'm thrilled to share the news of a glowing recommendation from script consultant Terri Lynn Zinner (A Film Writer Screenplay Consultant - Terri Zinner

Here's to the collaborative spirit and another exciting chapter in the making of this cinematic Faith-Based Drama tale. Thank you, H. C. Hewitt - author! 🎬

Logline: After witnessing a horrible family tragedy that is buried by his angry father, a reserved young man tries to rebuild his life as he struggles with losing faith in God and unrequited love.

A great time in studio with THE GREAT!!

2023 is here and I am ready to rock n roll!! Check out my profile on website by simply coping and pasting this URL: https://www.elysian-management.com/portfolio/ferdinand-w-gernandt/
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#2023

Turn Your True Life Story Into a Compelling Screenplay.

What makes you the right person to tell your story?

Odd question, right? Not quite.

Let me help you discover your personal connection with your own story material.

Work with me to:
- Find your compass.
- Determine & Focus on a specific time period.
- Ensure there’s a Payoff. Let’s tie up all those loose ends.
- Design a flawed protagonist.
- Make stuff up… it’s okay. Let’s utilize that artistic licence.

BIO: Hailing from South Africa and currently living in Johannesburg, I am a professional screenwriter with optioned projects and writing scripts on assignment for producers. I’m represented by Sovereign Talent Group in Los Angeles and hold several qualifications, including a Master Screenwriting Certificate from ScreenwritingU.

Interested in turning your life story into a feature screenplay?

Get in touch at [email protected]
WhatsApp - +27 83 357 4302

Visit my online profile at www.ferdiwrites.com

- Writing a true-life piece is no easy feat! In fact, it’s the hardest thing to do when developing a TV Series. Recognizing the ‘story’ within the true life spectrum… And then, not to mention the hours of rehashing the past - whether good or bad - It takes guts. It takes unprecedented determination.

… But Ahnee Rikkel sat through multiple sessions with me… reliving incredible and shocking moments of her childhood keeping her vision on the forefront of her mind - she stuck to her guns and kept on going.

And now? She has a marketable, high-quality pilot draft of a 1hr faith-based crime drama TV Series, which I think will hook readers/viewers in the first couple of minutes…

Logline: A dysfunctional, displaced girl turned angry stripper fights to help her incarcerated brother but doesn’t find normalcy in her life until she finds God.

Working with Ahnee was an eye-opening and rewarding process. Her gifting lies in telling it as it is/was, and her honesty anchors the piece in truth. She showed ample tenacity. The willingness to grapple with different elements to make the characters and their environment tick. She is truly an example of God’s grace and omnipotence - His unending love and protection even in the darkest of places.

IN SEARCH OF I AM has received a RECOMMEND from script consultant Extreme Screenwriting (Barb Doyon) and is ready for market. I cannot wait to see Ahnee sign that deal because this project will change people’s lives!

Thank you to Cheryl Croasmun for connecting Ahnee and I… it was a stunning experience.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Here’s to the next step in the journey, Ahnee… and a multitude of breakthroughs on their way…

As a I never thought that writing an autobiography would be this exhilarating💥 I guess when you open that valve and allow the flow… magical things will happen.

Very proud to share this project FLAT OUT & FEARLESS, The Story of Peter Lindenberg.

I am beyond … 🙏 Thank you for trusting me to tell your story. I am in awe and humbled.
💥
A life of extreme experiences… personal, business, health, financial and of course sport.

This book is a no nonsense tell it all, about a life that vividly illustrates that there is a way to overcome the challenges thrown at you, and instill the most important element required to succeed in overcoming tough times, the element of hope.

The first official launch took place this week, and will be followed by Umhlanga and Ballito at the CMH Dealerships, this weekend, then Wednesday 23rd at Exclusive Books Rosebank, Thursday 24th in Cape Town, and Saturday 26th in Langebaan.

Books are available from Exclusive Books, Bargain Books, and on line through Shelby SA, and on Amazon and Kindle.

- When a person approaches me and tells me they want to write a script, my eyes light up. I smile and I jump up and down like a pup… BUT no process for developing a story is the same or even takes the same amount of time… Writing a story and creating a screenplay from scratch organically evolves into a long-term journey and hours and hours of back and forth with ideas… a process which can easily discourage first-time writers…

… But Marina Rasnoveanu kept her eye on the ball. Regardless of the multiple, brutal challenges she had to face during the past 10 months - she stuck to her guns and kept on going.

And now? She has a first draft of a quirky, funny and fresh romantic comedy which I think will resonate with many of us who enjoy food, cooking and spending time in the kitchen… together.

Logline: A hard-hearted NY chef must team up with a free-spirited cook to win a peculiar cooking contest not knowing the clash of their dull perspectives on love and life will forever spice things up.

Working with Marina was an enjoyable and fun process. Her gifting lies in the detail which brings this story to life in its entirety. She showed ample tenacity. The willingness to grapple with different elements to make the characters tick and practised a questioning approach to never let the theme out of her sight.

There are a couple of tweaks to make before COLOR IN A FOOD PLATE will be ready for market - I’m positively curious to see how producers and name players are going to respond to her creative creation.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Here’s to the next step in the journey, Marina… and a multitude of breakthroughs on their way…

I must be the most blessed man on Earth today. 15 years!

you are my rock… you have been my sanity… my biggest champion when I wanted to give in and give up… You’re also my most avid celebrator when success hits, no matter how big or how small… then you blessed me with the most amazing boy whose joyous smile and quirky excitement-jiggle remind me of your incredible affection… unmatched courage… mega-talent… and super strength every day.

Happy 15-year anniversary my angel. I’ll be better for you. I want to because I love you.

SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED When I started writing thirteen years ago, I wasn’t aware of the vast intricacies of storytelling. Yeah, okay - beginning, middle and end… blah-blah-blah! This doesn’t mean anything though… I made sure to educate myself and become a master in the field of storytelling - sure I managed to place in a couple of contests but there was a bigger goal - to acquire representation from an international literary agent!

So, I reminded myself of this saying - If you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together! And, I decided to team up with another master-storyteller - the synergy between us is like a sundowner while gazing out over the wild and a setting sun in the back… Together we managed to elevate our projects and creative content to an international level that got us to where we, most recently, have signed with in LA.

We are thrilled to be part of this highly successful agency’s client-base and sense beautiful & exciting ventures approaching. we are beyond grateful for your part in this and look forward to take hands with you and make some massive waves.

Then, as always, I have to express my incredible gratitude for .croasmun, and the entire community for your incredible heart, guidance and feedback. Let’s keep going…

Dean my man… loving your work! A massive steppingstone and we’ve only skimmed the surface of the magical stories we can write together… cannot wait to share our Oscar acceptance speech with you!

Helping others tell their stories, is one of my favorite entries in my schedule. As writer I have the exciting opportunity to live my clients’ dreams and this is wonderful. I learn. I think on things. I grow.

My latest project involved reading… lot’s of it. Learning about the iconic barefoot waterski champion, powerboat hero and legendary race car driver,

I’m stoked to say that Peter’s auto-biography manuscript is at the editors as I’m typing this post and will be ready for the massive launch in November ‘22!

Peter thank you for trusting me to rewrite, restructure and add some extra spice to your admirable and inspiring life story. I salute your determination and prowess on and off the track - mind blown by your sheer willingness to give and uplift others. Your book, FLAT OUT AND FEARLESS will definitely be on top of my list of must reads in my house.

I celebrate this writing milestone and who knows… I might even write and produce your bio-pic feature. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink…

- I don’t think there are many other things that are as rewarding as receiving a RECOMMEND on a screenplay you’ve been hired to rewrite for an international client.

I have been working on ANGRY ANDY with Daniel Hughes for approx one year now, and I am thrilled to embrace this victory that only 2% of all screenplays being written receive this accolade…

Thank you, Daniel for sticking it out and allowing me to fiddle and tweak, build and break, restructure and rewrite your story…

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Here’s to the next step in the journey, Daniel… gunning for that option, that deal… one step at a time.

- Connecting with other writers and helping them to tell their stories is something I absolutely love doing - especially if they’re friends from long ago…

Working with Mariette was an incredible pleasant journey and super-educational (to me) Mariette has a keen eye for applying elements from her field of expertise, which is Educational Psychology, to a highly imaginative story that will provide skills and tools to kids growing up, and dealing with life’s challenges.

Her children’s book STEMDIEF is done and ready for the market… Yay! As her writing coach, I cannot wait to read the reviews… so keep an eye out because this book is beautifully written and illustrated - truly spectacular!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Here’s to the next step in the journey, Mariette… and a multitude of breakthroughs on their way… while helping today’s young ones.

- When I started working with Nicole, I knew she had a great story idea. Watching her take on the notes & feedback from me while steering her creativity into full throttle mode, it made me smile from total elation!

Nicole is a true example of what happens when we keep our eye on the ball… believe in our ideal… and fight for what we want - it’ll all work out for our good.

Her screenplay CHICKEN TAX is done… has already raked in positive reviews from high-rolling filmmakers. As her script coach, I cannot wait to shout out all her accomplishments… so keep an eye out because her writing is amazing and truly noteworthy!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Here’s to the successful, first step, Nicole… and a multitude of breakthroughs on their way…

It is with great joy, elation, gratitude, appreciation and many other positive emotions that I can claim, ‘My work is no longer unsolicited.’

Yes, I am thrilled to share that I have signed a literary manager at MakeLa Productions Management, Los Angeles.

Stoked for the journey ahead, my business partner and I are ready to take on the world. A massive & long battle, yielded a massive & rewarding victory… and we’re only just starting.

Diani Gernandt you’ve always been my biggest fan, my muse, my rock. You make me believe - everyday! I love you ❤️

Dean Joffe I love your tenacity and relentless go, go, go! Up, up and away partner. As a writing team we’re a force to be reckoned with… 💥

I took the liberty to name the individuals below, who each had a part in my journey to success. I’m beyond grateful for your feedback, insights and help over the past 10 years… I salute you and consider your contribution to this BIG win with great appreciation.

Hal Croasmun, Cheryl Croasmun, Deni Boehm Sher, Cj Knapp, Stephen Bryant, Rebecca Ann Dowty, Heidi Stangeland, Frank J. Kim, James Ridgley, Sarah Jane McDermott, Laree Griffith, Joyce Davidson, Dimitri Davis, Dawn Crouch, CK Love, Delia Colvin, Linda Cattani, David Chai, Menaka Charan, ix'Cybella Ireland, Tom Freyer, Travis Bain, Michael Alberstadt, Jim Morris
Shailesh Trivedi, Gayla Betts, Debra Lewis, Richard Morrell, Keren Green, Richard Willett, Scott Fickas, Boomer Rick Murrhee, Karen Crider, Greg Paul-Writer, Ray Hoese, Ron Chepesiuk, Adlinna Liang, Bob DeCarli, Lisa Rysinger, Amy Amani-Goddard, Judith van Praag, Karen Bynoe, Eva Moon, Farrin Rosenthal, Richard Senne, Mary Cealia Selfridge, Kathryn Ekblad

Funny how our deepest, sincerest longings are lived by our stories’ characters… maybe you have left hidden messages, clues within the actions or words of your darlings. Just listen…

… I did without noticing, and heard one of my protags saying, ‘Look Up, Get Up, and Never Give Up.’

Keep the faith. You so got this!

I don’t even know where to start…

… BUT if I have to, it’ll be eleven years ago, in the beginning when I enrolled for the first Screenwriting class with Hal Croasmun.

Everything. Yes, everything you do… every cent you invest… every person you meet… every rewrite… these things work together to make sure you end up where life wants you - at the bottom of the page of an Option Agreement and a major talent attached to your project.

One of the pivotal people I met during a producer’s event in Burbank was Deni B Sher. Without her relentless editing pen, her copious amount of zoom-hours and the belief she had in me as writer and our project THE IMAGINED… we wouldn’t have gotten this far down the road. Thank you, Deni x You are a super-writing-partner.

We do have more exciting news to share but all in good time.

This post is for the tired. It’s for the wanting-to-quitters. It’s for everyone who feels their careers aren’t going anywhere.

Just hang in there… things will align for you. Keep going, keep writing and most of all keep celebrating your small wins.

You got this!

Developing a high-concept TV Series is one of the most intense screenwriting processes for me BUT when you nail it... Boy, what an incredible feeling.

Our TV Series CAPULET, has received a RECOMMEND from Barb Doyon at ExtremeScreenwriting and we're absolutely thrilled to know that we're able to produce high-quality writing on a continuous basis.

See, when you work with a writing partner who understands the key industry screenwriting skills as you do... creates ideas into marketable concepts as you do... knows what goes into a riveting story structure and characters that pop, then you have a KILLER collaboration.

Thank you, Dean H Joffe for being a freakin' awesome writing partner.

CAPULET Logline:
In a world where no one has heard of Romeo and Juliet, except
those imprisoned in a hidden African village in the middle of the desert, JESSICA CAPULET, a stubborn romantic must escape a king’s tyranny only to realize she has to return to rescue her family, kill the king and reveal the concept of love to the world.

Writing a screenplay is hard. It takes time. It takes research… and reading, lots and lots of reading. Then more writing… rewriting…

And when you reach the starting line, (the starting line is where your hard work is actually ready for the market) that’s when the fun begins - more rewrites, adjustments according to producers’ feedback etc.

I’m thrilled to have received a RECOMMEND from Barb Doyon at Extreme Screenwriting for our Supernatural Thriller THE MYSTIC.

Based on true life experiences and the highly acclaimed book ‘Deceptive Gods’ by Lorne Therrien.

I’m excited to see the response to this highly profound and eye-opening script.

Logline: A martial arts instructor with ‘spiritual gifts’ wages a psychological war with demons that pretend to be the deceased, angels, Christ and even God.

Another writing assignment successfully completed.

I’m beyond grateful for the training I received from Hal Croasmun & all the great writing buddies from the creative & generous community called Screenwriting U

Ferdinand W Gernandt updated their info in the about section.

Your screenwriting has to be perfect before you show it to anyone. Right?

Nope!

Here’s the deal. Your writing will never be perfect.

Sorry. That’s the truth.

No one’s writing is perfect.

Even after a script’s produced you'll see things you want to change.

Yeah, that’s how it goes.

So... just stop that perfection thing once and for all!

Wanting your story, your language, your metaphors, your imagery - everything about your writing - to be perfect is often a symptom of fear. Fear that your writing isn’t good enough. Fear that your story will be rejected.

Face that fear head on. Instead of rewriting and rewriting and editing and editing, or worse, not writing anything, focus on writing the best that you can right now.

Then submit.

Next month, next year, in five years, your skills and knowledge will be different, and more experienced...

And your writing will still be imperfect.

So write imperfectly and finish the story you’re working on now.

The idea is that you focus on getting the story down on the page and DONE, and accept it’s going to be rough and just plain bad in places. Then you revise and begin working on the next draft.

The first draft is a draft with a clear direction, structure, and strong concepts for compelling characters. Not the draft you'll send out. Not the draft you’ll put out there in the market.

So today, commit to writing your first draft. You may surprise yourself.

PS: Do you want help writing your first draft? Let me know and I’ll tell you how I can help you!

We’re at the start of a great week. I hope you’re making the time to write.

Your answer might be: I'll write that story later.

I’ve worked with a lot of writers who put off their writing dreams until it’s a "better time."

They say to me:

I’ll write that script when my kids are in school full time.
I’ll write that outline when my kids are through elementary school.
I'll write when my kids are finished with high school.
I’ll start writing when I get through this high-stress project at work.
I’ll start writing that sci-fi series when I retire.
I’ll start writing when I move to a smaller house and don’t have so much housework.
I’ll start writing when I’m no longer looking after my elderly parent.
I’ll start writing when I go part-time at work.
I'll start writing when I'm sleeping better.
I'll write that screenplay when I feel inspired.

Sounding familiar? Maybe you have your own version.

Reality check: There is no perfect time to write.

No time is a "good" time.

No time is a "bad" time.

If you want to write, do it now. Whether you're 25, 40, or 79.

Don't put off your dreams for 10 or 20 years.

Here’s an exercise to help you overcome this obstacle: imagine where you’ll be in 10 years, or even in one year, if you start writing immediately.

Then imagine where you’ll be in 10 years, or in one year, if you don't start: nowhere.

Over this past year +, it’s become even more apparent that our future is not guaranteed.

If you want to write that screenplay, write it NOW.

Make the time. Use prompts. Get help.

Allow yourself the space to pursue your calling.

That's it.

PS: Do you want help overcoming your writing obstacles and finally getting that screenplay DONE? DM me and I’ll tell you how I can help you!

RECOMMEND Alert!

A feature LITTLE RUSSIA, I’ve been working on with another excellent screenwriter [Dean H Joffe] recently garnered a RECOMMEND from ExtremeScreenwriting - Barb Doyon

Thrilled for this massive breakthrough…

Logline: A troubled college student gets his professor shot and grants a dying wish, leading him into the dangerous storybook world of his mentor’s manuscripts.

Screenwriting U

Screenwriting, or at least good writing, is an outgrowth of that urge to use language to communicate complex ideas and experiences between people. And that's true whether you're reading Shakespeare or bad vampire fiction-- reading is always an act of empathy. It's always imagining what it's like to be someone else.

My question to you: How much do you consider the reader experience when you’re writing?

This seems obvious.

If you want others to read your story, you should write something that will appeal to them. Something that will give them a satisfying reading experience.

However, so many screenwriters approach their writing, thinking only about themselves. What are they passionate about? What are they interested in writing about? What do they want to spend months or years writing about?

Don’t get me wrong. These ARE important questions to ask yourself. These are part of your why.

But answering those questions alone will not produce a story others want to read. You must consider the expectations of readers in your genre and be sure to meet those expectations. And overdeliver if you want to be a prolific screenwriter.

This is especially important for memoirists. What is it about your story that will appeal to readers? What will keep them turning the pages? Do you have a universal message?

Your job as a screenwriter who wants to sell their stories is to serve your audience. If you want people to watch your movies, never leave the reader out of the writing process.

How do you keep yourself and your story organized when you write?

Some screenwriters like to stay organized by keeping hard copies of outlines, character development, world building etc… neatly organized in binders. Some may have one binder per script. Others may have binders for each element of their screenplay.

Some screenwriters like to work in Final Draft or Writer Duet, programs that make it easier to keep everything organized digitally.

Some screenwriters like to have tactile visuals: old fashioned index cards thumbtacked to a poster board; sticky notes on a wall.

Some have a journal organization method, with a different journal for keeping track of different things like changes to make or research to do for the next draft.

Then there’s Google Docs (it’s free!) to keep you organised.

And let’s face it... some screenwriters are simply NOT organized. And that’s okay! If it works for them. Studies have shown that creative types are often messy.

What’s your organization method?

Wanna write a screenplay but experience difficulty gaining motivation?

I allow myself to write a really terrible first draft. It can be as sh*tty & rubbish as possible; in fact, it's encouraged.

And then once that's out there, I can elevate… elevate… elevate, baby! The trick?

Do not judge yourself before you've written it.

If you judge yourself before you write, you won't write anything because you're in your head. You’re going 'Oh, that's not good enough' and surely you don’t want to write anything then…

I override that critic and tell my brain, 'Actually, the judgment part can come later, after I've gotten the terrible draft out first,'

This always serves me well.

Are you a Plotter or a Pantser or a Page by Page screenwriter?

I’m using the names plotters and pantsers because these are used universally, although they’re not precise descriptions of these types of screenwriters.

If you’re a Plotter you like to plan everything ahead. You might have detailed character bibles, and/or world-building bibles, you have detailed outlines of your story, storyboards, and you may even have extensive spreadsheets that track character arcs, themes, subplots, timelines, scenes, chapters, etc… BEFORE you begin writing your first draft. You’re more comfortable knowing where you’re going before you write page 1.

If you’re a Pantser you like to sit down and write your story with maybe only an inkling of what your story is about. Maybe you have an idea for a setting, for a character, for a backdrop, for a situation. A spark of an idea and you’re off. No outline, no spreadsheets. For you, part of the fun is the process of discovery as you go. If you knew everything ahead of time what would be the point in writing?

If you’re a Page-by-Page screenwriter you start with a loose outline, and then you write a page, stop, go back and edit. Write a page, stop, go back and edit. You can also do this scene by scene.

What type of screenwriter are you? Knowing what type of writer you are, you can set up a writing process that works for you. A process that allows you to write on your own terms, be true to your creative vision, and be more efficient.

So what screenwriter type are you? Are you one type? A combination? How do you address your writer type in your process?