From Gray Jones of TV Writer Podcast:
Jana Sinyor (Being Erica, Dark Oracle) is one of the speakers at the upcoming Toronto Screenwriting Conference on March 31 and April 1. She tells TV, eh? about her unconventional path to screenwriting, her learning curve on Being Erica, and the project she has in development with ABC now.
First, tell me about the Toronto Screenwriting Conference –- what do you hope to convey there, and what do you hope to get out of it? What role do conferences like this play in career development?
I plan to show up and have an interesting panel discussion with a bunch of people I respect. I hope it will be a lot of fun.
As for what role conferences play in career development, for me, they were extremely important. I remember attending Nuts And Bolts — a weekend conference put on by WIFT-T when I was just starting out — and then later I went to a screenwriting weekend conference that was put together by the WGC. Both events were very important in that they connected me with people I would later work with. I learned a lot from the panels, talked to lots of different people — and felt that attending helped me better focus, better zero in on what I wanted to do and what steps I was going to take to get there.
From Chandler Levack of AV Club Toronto:
- Remembering Erica
With December 2011’s series finale, Being Erica was canceled after four seasons. And with this being the first non-Erica year in a while, it might be a good idea to look back at the show’s success. The show has done surprisingly well for a CBC export, airing in nearly 160 countries and with green-lighted U.S. and U.K. interpretations. The concept was irresistible: Erica Strange was a guilt-ridden Canadian Jewish girl who looked like Jennifer Aniston. And she was able to do things like take back her own virginity from the douchebag who sexually assaulted her and relive her “perfect summer day” on Toronto Island. Whenever Erica was sent down the rabbit hole to save her dead brother from a fire and allow him to live, or to un-kiss the best friend who now won’t speak to her, it didn’t take a physicist for viewers to dream up their own Dr. Toms. Read more.
InSecurity
“I Spy Peter” – Alex’s loyalty is tested when she is forced to investigate her boss, Peter. A case of corporate espionage puts Claude and JoJo together as an unlikely undercover couple.
Being Erica
“Dr. Erica” – Four years ago Erica Strange was single, barely making enough money to get by, and had a long list of regrets. Thanks to her time-travel therapist Dr. Tom, Erica has turned her life around, but nothing can prepare her for her most difficult challenge yet – saying goodbye.
InSecurity
“The Spy, the Friend and her Lover” – Alex’s work comes home with her when one of her team starts dating her houseguest. A NISA wedding brings an air of romance to the office.
Being Erica
“Purim” – Erica is sent back to her family’s 1992 Purim party, after Erica gets an unwelcomed birthday surprise from Julianne.
