At Amazon Studios
My Work at Amazon Studios
Credits in 2 works
Scripts
| Credits | Works | Average Rating | Downloads | Date Created |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer |
Metalhead Christopher's Original Draft (Script 1) |
4.7 stars
(9)
|
23 | 04/02/11 |
| Writer |
It Must be the Moon Tim's Original Draft (Script 1) |
No rating
|
6 | 12/12/10 |
More About Me
I'm a writer, teacher, artist, and historian living in the Los Angeles area. I have a master's degree with honors in military history from American Military University and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. My book about my 5x-great-grandfather, Fortune's Favorite: Sir Charles and the Breaking of the Line, was published in 2009 by Fireship Press. I also edited and wrote an introduction for the new edition of a book by his son, Sir Howard Douglas, called Naval Evolutions, in 2010. I've also worked as a writer, editor, and inker in the comic book industry.
I've had one screenplay optioned and a couple of short animated films produced. I've won or placed in numerous writing contests, including:
Wins:
- Golden Age of Television Pilot Contest
-Cowrite Script, Week 9
-Scriptwriters Network, Producers Outreach Program
-Fanlib.com, Kirk v. Picard screenwriting contest, Week 3
-L.A. Times “Birds of Paradise” collaborative novel, Chapter 14
-TVWriter.com’s “Not a Contest” TV script competition
-2nd Place, TVWriter.com's Spec Scriptacular
Finals:
-Cowrite Script, Week 7
-Scriptapalooza TV
-Fanlib.com, Speed Racer story contest
Semi-Finals:
-TVWriter.com People's Pilot Competition
-Chesterfield Screenwriting Fellowship
-Fade In Awards
-Storypros Screenwriting Contest
Quarterfinals:
-Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting
-Scriptapalooza
-Scriptapalooza TV
Top Ten Percent:
-Austin Film Festival, Screenwriting Competition
-Austin Film Festival, Teleplay Pilot Competition
I've had one screenplay optioned and a couple of short animated films produced. I've won or placed in numerous writing contests, including:
Wins:
- Golden Age of Television Pilot Contest
-Cowrite Script, Week 9
-Scriptwriters Network, Producers Outreach Program
-Fanlib.com, Kirk v. Picard screenwriting contest, Week 3
-L.A. Times “Birds of Paradise” collaborative novel, Chapter 14
-TVWriter.com’s “Not a Contest” TV script competition
-2nd Place, TVWriter.com's Spec Scriptacular
Finals:
-Cowrite Script, Week 7
-Scriptapalooza TV
-Fanlib.com, Speed Racer story contest
Semi-Finals:
-TVWriter.com People's Pilot Competition
-Chesterfield Screenwriting Fellowship
-Fade In Awards
-Storypros Screenwriting Contest
Quarterfinals:
-Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting
-Scriptapalooza
-Scriptapalooza TV
Top Ten Percent:
-Austin Film Festival, Screenwriting Competition
-Austin Film Festival, Teleplay Pilot Competition
Reviews I've Written
America’s Ben Franklin in: The Electrocution String, Eugene's 1st Draft
1
out of
3
people found the following review helpful:
Improvement on a funny concept
February 07, 2012
This is a much-improved version of this script. It really tightens up the story in some places, and improves the dialogue almost everywhere it's been changed. Many of the problems I had with the original have been fixed (and fixed well) by Eugene.
Foster Pirate, Michael Ezell's Original Draft
0
out of
0
people found the following review helpful:
Full Speed Ahead to the Finals!
July 28, 2011
As a fan of dark, gritty suspense and action films, I'm not often impressed with movies aimed at kids, and scripts for those types of flicks generally leave me trying to keep my eyes open. But Foster Pirate is a movie I would not only love to take my kids to, but one I'd like to see myself. Who wouldn't love a movie with pirates, time travel AND fart jokes?
Pack Behavior, Michael Ezell's Original Draft
1
out of
4
people found the following review helpful:
A Pack of Smokin'-hot Action
July 28, 2011
Ezell really knows how to move a story along, and this story is no exception. This script is full of great scenes, fantastic dialogue, and vivid action. Any producer looking for something in the creature/horror genre would be lucky to scoop this up.
The only problem I see is that werewolves are being done to death lately, but I think this take on it is good enough to overcome that.
The only problem I see is that werewolves are being done to death lately, but I think this take on it is good enough to overcome that.
It Flies At Night, Michael Ezell's Original Draft
1
out of
3
people found the following review helpful:
It Should Fly to the Top of the Finalists List
July 25, 2011
This mash-up of a John Ford and John Carpenter film would make both directors proud. Unlike other recent missteps (*cough*jonahhex*cough*), Ezell does an excellent job of combining the western and horror genres, and manages to avoid many of the cliches that tend to plague many cross-genre stories. He's also able to make us feel for the creature while still being terrified of it, which is not an easy thing to do in a creature feature. Very good job all around.
Brand New Bag of Blues, Matthew's 2nd Draft
1
out of
1
people found the following review helpful:
A Little Bit Blues Brothers + a Little Bit Orange County=All Good
April 09, 2011
Definitely one of the best scripts I've read on AS. Other than some typos that can be easily fixed (for example, the spelling of Tilley's name changes sometimes, and there appear to be extra page numbers thrown in after some slug lines), it reads very smoothly. The dialogue is great, and even the action/description sequences are a fun read.
I really enjoyed the idea that the Universe seems to be moving Patrick toward his fate whether he likes it or not (although sometimes Tilly's a bit too on-the-nose about that fact). Loved the dream sequences, too.
The characters were great and each had their own voice. Jack Knife is especially awesome.
I know you have specific songs in mind and would like to see them in the film, but for various reasons, it's usually not a good idea to specify those things in a spec script. Maybe you could try describing the songs instead of naming them? I don't have a problem with it personally, but I know it's considered a "no-no."
Over all, great job!
I really enjoyed the idea that the Universe seems to be moving Patrick toward his fate whether he likes it or not (although sometimes Tilly's a bit too on-the-nose about that fact). Loved the dream sequences, too.
The characters were great and each had their own voice. Jack Knife is especially awesome.
I know you have specific songs in mind and would like to see them in the film, but for various reasons, it's usually not a good idea to specify those things in a spec script. Maybe you could try describing the songs instead of naming them? I don't have a problem with it personally, but I know it's considered a "no-no."
Over all, great job!
Villain, Richard's 7th Draft
1
out of
3
people found the following review helpful:
Great Idea, Good Execution
December 28, 2010
Please see my revision and posts in the forums for more details.
Favorite Movies
Blade Runner, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, Back to the Future, Chinatown, The Big Lebowski, Casablanca, Touch of Evil, Groundhog Day, The Incredibles, Dr. Strangelove, Fight Club, Memento, The Usual Suspects
Influences
Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Gaiman, the Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarentino, William Goldman, Christopher Nolan, George Lucas, Brian Michael Bendis, Peter David, Terry Gilliam, Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio, Harlan Ellison, Robert Towne
Following
3 Projects
(Thriller and Suspense, Drama) Vincent J. Valin
(Science Fiction and Fantasy, Comedy) Tim Valin
(Comedy, Action and Adventure) Christopher J. Valin
9 People
Winner: Best Script
Finalist: Best Script
Semifinalist: Best Script, Best Sci-Fi/Action Script
Winner: Best Script, Best Sci-Fi/Action Script
Finalist: Best Test Movie, Best Script, Best Sci-Fi/Action Script
Semifinalist: Best Test Movie, Best Script, Best Sci-Fi/Action Script
