Michael Baser has been in the television and film industry for over 35 years and has worked on famous productions such as Three's Company, Full House, and The Jeffersons. He is currently working at Vancouver Film School as the head of department for the writing for film and television program. Michael was nominated for a Writer's Guild of America Award for The Jeffersons in 1978.
Links to his work:
-IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0059724/)
-LinkedIn (https://ca.linkedin.com/in/michael-baser-1aa22a14)
-Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/michael.baser1)
Workshop Questions:
1.Develop a well-rounded open question about the presenter’s portfolio.
What differences and challenges do you face when writing for a long running series that already has a well established plot, tone, and character relationships?
2.Develop a well-rounded open question about the presenter's industry pathway.
Is there any big risk that you took that early in your career that helped you establish yourself in the industry?
3.Develop a well-rounded open question about the presenter's future/goals/dreams.
Is there any production that you have been part of that you wish to revisit?
Reflection:
To make an impactful and strong story, you don't have to have it be complicated and long. In Michaels very own words, "Keep it simple" which is exactly what my group needed to hear. Clutter can happen easily in a story if you try to put to many different elements into it. He told us to examine why we add specific details, what do they represent and bring to the story. What needs to be shown in order to have the audience understand the view you are expressing. Michael also touched on the importance of reaching out and taking any and all opportunities that are presented. Any experience can be conducive to learning whether that be shadowing another or getting a rejection on a script.
