And *another* Interview W/ Carole Whang Schutter

[smac97]

Here:

[Question]: Hi Carole. And thanks for joining us. You know, you have a bit of a unique marketing issue with "September Dawn," as you have released both a movie and a book simultaneously. Can you tell us about some of the marketing challenges you've encountered in doing it this way?

[schutter]: Ordinarily it would seem to be a positive to release a book and a movie at the same time. However, in my case, due to the extreme controversy of the subject matter, we were not prepared for the extent of the backlash it generated. I've had to spend much of my time responding to this backlash, rather than actively promoting and marketing the book/movie. On the positive side, of course, my book is getting a lot more press than it would otherwise.

[Question]: This is a first-time venture for you. What have you learned so far that might affect the way you approach such a project in the future?

[schutter]: Hopefully I will not be called to do anything so controversial again! And I believe I would have the book come out before the movie.

[Question]: What advice would you give to would-be marketers of books and/or movies, based on your personal experience with "September Dawn"?

[schutter]: Getting either done is "a shot in the dark," as they say. I believe that persistence is important--and prayer even more so. But just because God doesn't answer right away doesn't mean you should abandon your dream. His timing isn't our timing. Other than that, I would say to hire a good publicist who has your best interests at heart. As for movies, that's another ballgame. At the one seminar I attended on screenwriting, they emphasized that to be successful, one had to "network." Now if you don't automatically have a network like I had, then going to screenwriting seminars and building a network with people in the business who are already actively engaged is extremely important. And one last thing: It is important to get your skills up because most often you have one shot at making this work. For me, reading and applying your writing workbook, The Train-of-Thought Writing Method, was one of the most helpful things I did. It was concise, clear, and to the point. I didn't have to guess what you were saying. And, of course, your editing skills on my book were invaluable. In this day and age, we can't send manuscripts out without first having them professionally edited. And as for screenplays, the best teachers I know of are Pilar Alessandro, a woman who worked as a script analyst for Disney, and Skip Press, a Christian who has written books on screenwriting. These people do script analysis, and it is the fastest way to learn the craft, though I would advise first reading some books on the subject and/or attending some classes. Skip has online classes, and Pilar does classes in the LA area. Both are two of the most popular teachers at screenwriting expos and seminars.

[Question]: In addition to encouraging readers to go see the movie and/or buy the DVD when it's released, how can people purchase the book?

[schutter]: Got to www.cwschutter.com or www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. It is also available in Borders bookstores.

-Smac

[jwhitlock]

Must be some significant financial pressure on this - unless they're looking for another angle to make some money off of the negative publicity.

She doesn't seem to have been around on any major interviews; I would think the big name interviewers would avoid the taint of being associated with a lemon like this.

[Zakuska]

Any Response from Ms. Schutter or her Publicist on the made up lines?

[Marmonboy]

Are you really expecting one?

[smac97]

Any Response from Ms. Schutter or her Publicist on the made up lines?

I emailed Ms. Schutter's publicist to follow up on my request.

Here's the response I got:

Someone has been hacking into Caroleâ??s computer. She has also received some rather scathing, almost threatening, emails. I donâ??t think she will be communicating with many people via the internet.

Sorry. There is a list of sources in the front of her book â?? you may be able to find the answer there.

-Smac

[Zakuska]

Very Mysterious. Some one trying to cover tracks? Some one trying to sabatoge (sp) ?

[jwhitlock]

This whole thing about threatening e-mails, threats by people, someone hacking into a computer, etc. has all the signs of being a pure publicity stunt.

We had some lawyers in our area who were defending a notorious murderer at one point who also made some of the same claims. It was a method of not only portraying themselves (and their client) as victims, but of also trying to paint their opposition as conspirators who were trying to keep the truth from coming out.

In this case, as well as the movie, none of the allegations could be documented or proven; when asked for specifics, the questions were dodged or ignored. She's trying to stoke the fire on one end with her interviews and mass e-mailings; on the other end, she's trying to claim she's a crusader for truth who is being victimized by an evil opposition. The whole thing is bogus.

[Sheelah]

I wonder if her book is doing any better than the movie...

[CQUIRK]

This whole thing about threatening e-mails, threats by people, someone hacking into a computer, etc. has all the signs of being a pure publicity stunt.

=And a stupid one at that.

Yeah, this lady is desperate for attention. I mean DESPERATE.

[Jesso]

Maybe the threats are coming from the investors of the film saying, "What happened to our money?"

[USU78]

Maybe the threats are coming from the investors of the film saying, "What happened to our money?"

Maybe they should have cast **** Shawn in the role of Brigham. Couldn't have been stiffer than the stiff who played him.

USU "Springtime for Brigham and Deseret!" 78

[LifeOnaPlate]

If there was any truth to her claims of threats and hacking and etc. I'm sure Ms. Whang Schutter wouldn't hesitate to bring those things up in the press, on a radio show, or otherwise in a public forum, which she does not do. Maybe the lack of disclosure is because she fears for her life...or maybe they are baseless accusations that don't have any basis in fact. Maybe she had a revelation that someone was trying to kill her, or hack into her computer. As long as it was revealed to her she doesn't need historical accuracy or proof; it's just the truth, is all. Kind of like her movie.

smac, maybe we can seek an opportunity for a phone interview?

[smac97]

If there was any truth to her claims of threats and hacking and etc. I'm sure Ms. Whang Schutter wouldn't hesitate to bring those things up in the press, on a radio show, or otherwise in a public forum, which she does not do. Maybe the lack of disclosure is because she fears for her life...or maybe they are baseless accusations that don't have any basis in fact. Maybe she had a revelation that someone was trying to kill her, or hack into her computer. As long as it was revealed to her she doesn't need historical accuracy or proof; it's just the truth, is all. Kind of like her movie.

smac, maybe we can seek an opportunity for a phone interview?

Nah. She's already said plenty of things that are worthy of critique. Plus, I've given her an opportunity to respond and she has declined. A request for a phone interview would likely be a waste of time.

-Smac

[Zakuska]

I think shes being a chicken. Doesn't want to be called to task.