As you can see by my web site, I have been actively involved in the arts and the entertainment business for over twenty years. I used live in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is a completely different market than LA, and the type and amount of work differs from LA. In order to survive in the Bay Area and have longevity in the arts, one must learn to be as versatile as possible.
The long short of it is, I decided to leave my Directing/Program Coordinator job with Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Programs after 10 years of service to pursue yet another dream of mine - the art of screenwriting and writing children's picture books. I left my full-time job in September 2005 and had a studio built on my property. Writing isn't something I've just started doing. I've been writing plays and screenplays for several years, but now I am devoting more time for my true passion in life... to tell stories and impact people.
I now live in Cape Cod, MA, a big difference from where I used to live in California. I am still writing, and now I am also teaching Film/TV Acting Classes for Plymouth Rock Studios.
Some people have had questions about screenwriting and writing in general. I thought I would share those:
Q: What is your experience with writing?
A: Well, I've always kept a journal since high school, and I still journal to this day. I write songs on my guitar, but I feel that's more like a lyrical journal. I have no intentions of selling my songs or pursuing a singing career. It's more for myself and my family. I wrote my first one act play when I was nineteen years old and had it produced at Newark Memorial High School. From that point, I wrote several more one act plays for children, and teens.
Then my life took a different direction which ultimately enriched my writing passion. I was hired to be a performer/educator for Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Programs, (ETP), in Northern California. This is where I truly shaped myself - on many levels- artistically and spiritually. Let me briefly describe all the wonderful and challenging things I had the opportunity to do in my ten years there, but first let me give a quick snap shot of what the touring company does.
ETP puts on five live plays about health issues and tours to schools free of charge. These shows improve and ultimately saves lives. All the performers are trained by doctors and health care professionals around issues of adolescent development, peer pressure, bullying, HIV and AIDS, domestic violence, nutrition and exercise, how to be a peer counselor and talk to students one on one with difficult issues, which they may have never spoken about to anyone.
Some of the things I had the privilege of doing: Working with young people and different communities everyday! Performing two shows a day -five days a week, road manage a troupe, production manager, and eventually worked my way up to director/ program coordinator. When I was director/program coordinator, I had the opportunity to reshape two of the companies shows; Nightmare on Puberty Street, and Peace Signs. For Nightmare on Puberty Street, I updated the set, costumes, hired a friend to write new songs, and wrote new scenes to make the show more current. I did the same for Peace Signs, but I also re-wrote and focused the tone of the show more. When I was with ETP, I also had the chance to work on my editing skills making several promo tapes and parent videos about our programs.
So, as you can see, my life hasn't been just about writing, but shaping myself with other skills that eventually worked its way into my writing. I am a visual thinker by nature and I am also an actor, director, choreographer, I paint murals, I write songs, I edit videos. All these experiences truly help me when I am writing. As an actor, I know what it's like to have to say horribly written lines so I understand the power of making a scene or dialogue more organic, and the importance of subtext. I've directed and edited, so I understand the power of movement, rhythms and beats. So my advice to any writer is to do more than just writing. Take acting classes, directing classes, learn how to edit, take a dance class and fill your mind with other inspiration other than writing. This will open your eyes to a larger world of storytelling.
Q: What do you do now?
A: I work everyday on my writing, and I teach Film/TV Acting Workshops for Plymouth Rock Studios. I also teach private acting lessons as well.
Q: Why do you write?
A: I can't stop. I have always loved writing, but it wasn't until about two years ago that I truly found my voice and what I want to say through my work. I lost both my parents to brain cancer by the time I was twenty-eight years old. Having to deal with this loss has had a major impact on what I write. I have two beautiful children of my own and as you can see by this web site, I have always had a passion to work with young people. So, I am focusing on writing movies for families, teens, and writing picture books for ages 4 and up. The themes I am touching on are "mortality" and having "time" with family. You never get over the loss of a loved one, but I hope my work will show how resilient the human spirit is.
My intention for my writing, and for my entire career for that matter, is not to become rich or famous and mix it up with the "Hollywood elite." My passion in life has always been the process of "storytelling" weather it be on stage acting, singing, making choreography, painting, editing, directing a show, or through my writing. I LOVE TO TELL STORIES THAT AFFECT THE HEART. I'm twenty years into this profession now and I am far from being "rich" or "famous." It's not about that at all. There are stories in my mind and heart that need to come out, and if I can make an impact on humanity through my art,... I call that a good day.
Just remember this... there is more to Kevin Lasit than this web site and all my accomplishments. When I am not writing or working on my craft, my time is spent with my beautiful family and enjoying every moment I have with them.
Q: How do you expect to sell your script and manuscripts for your picture books?
A: I am following the same tactics I've learned with my acting/directing career by getting more training, writing everyday, re-writing, following the guidelines set down by the market, have as many scripts available so when my time does arrive, I am prepared. And most important.... I will never give up. I always tell myself, "There once was a time when I never thought I'd see myself on national TV or do a film or direct for a professional theatre company." I made those things happen, over time, because I never gave up. I am now preparing and educating myself for the next chapter in my life and I know it will happen, it's just a matter of when. In the meantime, I am continuing to build my body of work and living life.
Q: Shouldn't you move to LA?
A: The industry is LA, but that should never stop you from telling your stories. It is possible to write from anywhere and enter contests to get industry recognition to attract agents to your work. Where you live should never stop you from writing or dreaming. Take me for example, I moved over 3000 miles away from everyone and everything I know to provide a better future for our children, and it opened an opportunity for me to work for a movie studio. The most important thing is to keep writing, keep your passions and dreams alive, and continue to follow your heart and see where it leads you. If your STORY is good, the industry will want it.
Q: Do you miss your studio?
YES!!!! (Take care of it Nizar!!! LOL) The good news is I am now writing in my basement which is much larger than my old studio in California. I plan to finish it in the years to come. The most important thing is I have a place to write and surround myself with inspiration.
Q: What about screenwriting conventions?
A: I've attended the Screenwriting Expo 4 and 5 in Los Angeles and I must say it was a life changing event full of information, sessions, contacts and resources all under one roof. My first Expo, I heard William Goldman and David Koepp speak on the subject of screenwriting which was so amazing and inspiring to hear them talk from their point of view. I also took 13 other sessions all related to the art of screenwriting, storytelling and those workshops ranged from the Three Act Structure, The Hero's Journey, to Log-Lines. My brain is still on fire with excitement from all that I learned. Expo 5 was also amazing hearing Oliver Stone and taking sessions with the staff of PIXAR, including the amazing Michael Arndt - writer of Little Ms. Sunshine.
Another seminar I strongly recommend for ANY writer is the Robert McKee STORY Seminar. No matter what you write it all comes down to the power of clear storytelling. A must for any writer. Art is never an accident... it takes a lot of planning and thought.
And for my children's writing, I am a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, SCBWI, in Northern California. The society offers workshops and conferences. I've been to several and the society has given me more tools and support. I look forward to attending more in the East Coast.
If you have attended the Screenwriting Expo or Robert McKee's seminar, please drop me an email! That also goes for anyone who has attended the SCBWI conferences in Davis. I would love to hear from you especially if you live in CAPE COD. If anyone would like more information about any workshops I have taken, drop me an email and I'd be happy to talk with you.
That's all for now my writing friends.
-write on!
If you would like to contact me click the email me button at the top of this page.
