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GREG FORBES SIEGMAN
WRITING - FILMS - MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT - ENGLISH CLASSES - CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS CLASSES - CREATIVE WRITING CLUBS/CLASSES
BIO - Greg's Bio
WEBSITES: GregForbes.com -- TheFirstThirty.com - www.TheSilhouetteMan.com MySleeplessNights.com - 11-10-02.com - ProjectThankYou.com - ShakingUpAmerica.org
BOOK SUMMARY: One page synopsis of The First Thirty
BACKGROUND: The First Thirty (and expanded version, The Silhouette Man) is based on the true story of Greg Forbes Siegman, his efforts to make a difference, and the first thirty things learned from the people and places he encountered (and setbacks and successes he experienced) along the way. His interest in film and writing are a recurring theme in the story. Specifically, after discovering a love for books and stories, and getting to know his godfather (who is the projectionist at the local theater), Greg wants to tell the kinds of stories that make people think. Over the next couple decades, it is characters from books and films who play a pivotal role in inspiring him to pursue his dreams to make a difference. Fittingly, it is the power of the written words of others through which Greg first made a difference -- via an annual Read-a-Thon for charity. And, on an unforgettable night, the night Greg turns thirty years old, Loews Cineplex Entertainment closed a theater in his hometown for one night -- as Greg's lifelong dream comes true, he gets to see his vision on the big screen -- and a tremendous amount is raised for charity in the process.
Part of the story also highlights how a young student uses his love of music and entertainment to bring people together and make a difference.
FURTHER BACKGROUND: In high school, Greg served as Editor-in-Chief of his high school Literary Magazine and Editor of the school paper. He also wrote for both publications. In college, he wrote feature stories for a local newspaper, and he interned in the Press Secretary's office for a U.S. Senator. Since then, he was written guest columns for a variety of newspapers, academic, local and national publications in the US, Canada and Africa . He also has been the subject of part or all of several books, and received co-author credit on two of them. And, in conjunction with the special screening on his 30th birthday, Greg spent 100 days making a draft of a film to be shown that evening. Greg is now invited to speak about the Writing process with groups such as Contemporary Authors classes. His book, The First Thirty, has been incorporated into an increasing number of relevant classes.
Greg's organization, The 11-10-02 Foundation, has funded grants and scholarships benefitting students who are pursuing an interest in Music as well as those who are pursuing an interest in Writing. 11-10-02 has also funded a grant to help provide the supplies needed to teach students at a local school how to make films.
ART CONNECTION: Greg's art collection (My Sleepless Nights) features the historical, contemporary - and cinematic - figures who inspired his interest in concepts like diversity, community service and pursuing your passion in life. The collection includes portraits of film characters like Red Redding (Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption), Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox in Secret of My Success), Elisabeth Shue (Cocktail) and Rocky Balboa. The collection has been exhibited in places like California, New York, Chicago and Canada.
MEDIA / HONORS /APPOINTMENTS(Sample):
== Washington Post Co feature story comparing paths of Greg and Steven Spielberg
== Baltimore Sun feature story comparing paths of Greg, Steven Spielberg and several others
== Chicago Sun-Times comparing Greg and Forrest Gump
== College News comparing Greg and Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox character in Secret of My Success)
== The NonProfit Times cover story on Greg's decision to postpone his film dreams to devote time to civic efforts
== Honored at Denver Academy as a Writer in Residence.
== Named Artist-in-Residence for two days at school in Illinois
== Selected as a Semi-Finalist in North American Open Poetry Contest
== Various Quill & Scroll Awards for writing.
== Jefferson Award for Public Service, America's Daily Point of Light, honored at Princeton University as one of nation's top social entrepreneurs under 40, honored by Hasbro as one of 30 real-life American heroes, CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, Simply Family's Heroes of the Year, honorary degree from Prairie State College.
== Others include: Good Morning America, USA Today, CBS, NBC, Education Week, College Bound Teen Magazine, Newsweek Kaplan College Guide, Hartford Courant, Lexington Herald-Leader.
BOOKS & SPEECHES (Sample):
== The First Thirty used in various classrooms around the country in conjunction with stories like Schindler's List, Night, Tuesdays with Morrie, Gandhi, Ralph Waldo Emerson's Experience, Americans All, Makes Me Wanna Holler, Hurricane and Homer's Odyssey. Read excerpts of essays written by students in one of those courses.
== The Tug McGraw Foundation ordered copies of The First Thirty for its Board of Directors as well as its Honorary Chairman (Tug's son, and country music star Tim McGraw), Tim's wife (country music star Faith Hill), and the members of Tim's band (The Dancehall Doctors).
== A high school on the East Coast incorporated The First Thirty into their English class. A Midwest high school did the same thing.
== In New York, the NFL Giants sponsored an essay writing contest based on the book for high school students in NY.
== In Minnesota, the NFL Vikings ordered copies of the books for local 6th graders and sponsored an essay writing contest based on the book for middle school students in Minnesota.
== An American Lit course at a California high school incorporated The First Thirty into their curriculum, sandwiching the book in between A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway - and - Catcher in the Rye by Salinger
== An East Coast high school brought Greg to speak to their Contemporary Authors class about the process of writing a book.
== Nobel Peace Prize honoree, and author of Night, Elie Wiesel and Greg were two speakers for Day of Tolerance. Greg spoke to the students during the day. Professor Wiesel spoke to the parents during the evening.
WRITING:
== Have written for publications around North America (such as newspapers, magazines, academic publications). See www.GregForbes.com, click Writing
SAMPLE OF FEEDBACK/REVIEWS/PRESS
"The legacies of Greg Forbes Siegman and Steven Spielberg are the people they have helped and the lessons and images they have brought to life." - Jay Mathews, The Washington Post
"If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in !Come in!" —Shel Silverstein, from Where the Sidewalk Ends. When I first finished reading The First Thirty, this quote came to my mind. I think it's often difficult for us dreamers to invite others to be a part of our dreams -- fear of ridicule or fear of rejection can squelch the most inspired of ideas or visions of true greatness. As an actor, I handle tons of rejection on a fairly regular basis, but rarely in person...I stand in awe of Greg's strength of character and his unwavering perseverance. I'm also impressed by his ability to connect with complete strangers..." -- Wynter, Actor, Illinois
MICHAEL IRPINO, ACTOR/WRITER/DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA: "The First Thirty is such an inspirational book that it can even give new hope to someone that's been living in Hollywood for the past fifteen years. It gives new meaning to the phrase "when life gives you lemons make lemonade" and it certainly has taught this old dog some new tricks. I may never look at adverse situations in the same way ever again.
"I -- and I am sure, many of my classmates -- enjoyed Greg coming and talking to our Contemporary Authors class. I found his discussion has inspired me. I feel like I am going to try twice as hard as i did before in school..." -Chris, high school student, CT
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"...It is actually because of this book that I auditioned for a musical. I had always wanted to be in a play of some sort, but I never thought that my "friends" would be accepting of it. The musical was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had. I became so close with so many people who I thought I would NEVER even talk to. Kids that were typecast as "the drama nerds", kids who honestly, I would make fun of with my football buddies. But doing this musical and meeting all these new people who I consider to be dear friends of mine now really changed my life. It changed who I am and how I view people. And it's all thanks to this book, If I had not read the book I KNOW that I would not have auditioned for the play....[and] in the end, it wasn't even about the play, it was about the people I met and the experiences I had along the way...Through reading The First Thirty, and through this whole year of ups and downs, I have learned many lessons, lessons about life, about how to treat others, about how to treat myself, and about what truly makes me happy..." - Zachary, High school student (Calif) |
"I wrote an essay about Greg for a course I am taking -- comparing his story and what he's done with Ralph Waldo Emerson's book Experience, and one of Gandhi's philosophies about small actions leading to big things." -- Andrew S, Boston College student
FOR MORE FEEDBACK FROM EVENTS, CLICK HERE
For more on Greg, go to www.GregForbes.com
To contact Greg about an event, email Events@GregForbes.com
For more on the book, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com
To inquire about ordering multiple copies, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
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