WOW....love this place. Fantastic Taiwanese food. Recently discovered it. Makes me miss Taiwan already! Can't wait to return in December and have Mala hot pot...spicy is best. :)

Last week, I had my rewrite meeting with executives from the Mark Gordon Company and Reason Pictures regarding the draft. Looks like it's gonna be heck of a rewrite. Drawing up rewrite proposal for that project and specing out a new comedy -- hope to get it done in time to hit the spec market in November.  The summer's pretty hot in LA these last few days -- but nothing's like Taiwan so I can't complain.   Anyhoo, I've procrastinated enough by bloggin', time to get back to pages. :) 

Had a fantastic time in Taiwan and literally left right as a typhoon hit the island. WHEW! But I'm stoked to return in December to teach the follow up rewrite class as a Fulbright Senior Specialist. Might also do a lecture sponsored by the Fulbright that'd be open to the public in Taipei while I'm there. Really honored!

Now finally recouped from my jetlag in beautiful LA, I'm getting back in the groove. Working on my new comedy that we aim to take out to the market in October or November. I'm in the scene outline stage and hope to hit pages in two weeks after I get notes back from my manager and execs.  Hope to crank the sucker out fast and furious. In the meanwhile, can't wait for hollywood bowl, beaches, museums, and summer cocktails!

In August, I am really looking forward to teaching English 100 at UCLA for Academic Advancement Placement Freshman/Transfer summer program geared towards incoming first year under-represented minority students. It's a program that's special and dear to my heart as I always clear 6 weeks of my summer schedule for it (this will be my 8th year!). Majority of the time, they are first generation in their family to attend university, and we help prep them with skills that help them succeed at UCLA.

That's all for now. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! :)

I have really enjoyed teaching my class here in Taiwan! The students are really great and will definitely miss here when I finish my last class next week and head back to LA. I'm excited to watch this new generation of Taiwanese filmmakers rise and help take the industry to a new level. 

Am in discussion with a renowned Taiwanese producer (THE DRUMMER, BEIJING BICYCLE) to potentially make my directing debut here with a pretty solid budget in Taiwan standards. I've been holding onto my Nicholl drama/thriller scrīpt CHALK as the one to direct in the U.S. -- but it would be so incredible to do a Chinese version first at the country of my birth. Am beginning to watch work of the Chinese and Taiwanese talents to get a sense of casting. Seems promising -- will see how it goes!

On the Hollywood front, I am currently specing a new comedy  with Madhouse Entertainment and developing another with Mosaic Media - the powerhouse behind BLADES OF GLORY, GET SMART, etc. 

Ohhhh! And also developing couple of properties with bad ass veteran TV director HENRY CHAN -- who is an amazing talent and friend. You can find him on AnD!

Just arrived two days ago and taught my first screenwriting class in Taiwan.  The Taipei National University of the Arts has a pretty impressive campus and a full fledged MFA film and television program.  Although I've taught at University of California for years, it's wonderful to come back and be part of the creative development of the next generation of Taiwanese filmmakers. Amazingly, I'm teaching the entire course in mandarin -- which I've never done before.    Yes, I'm still jet lagged so am writing in my hotel in the wee early hours.  If anyone is in Taipei, please do drop me a note! Would love to meet artists based here. :) Will be here until 7/17.