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 - www.MySleeplessNights.com - www.11-10-02.com
BOOK SUMMARY: One page synopsis of The First Thirty
BACKGROUND: The Silhouette Man by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson (and condensed version, The First Thirty) are based on the true story of one person's desire to connect the dots between the world inside his head and the world outside his window, the experiences that help shape those efforts, and the lessons he learned along the way. The First Thirty was honored in 2007 in New York as Northeast Student Diversity Leadership Conference Multicultural Relations Book of the Year. A major focus of the story involves the arts (ie film, literature, drawing) and how these things profoundly shape the main character's path in a positive way. Specifically, after discovering a love for books and stories at the library, 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. And, on an unforgettable night, the night Greg turns thirty years old, Greg's lifelong dream comes true, he gets to see his vision on the big screen. 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. Throughout the story, Greg's love of art is documented -- his efforts to learn how to draw, his pursuit of other forms of art as well -- and what real-life lessons he discovers while learning to draw.
FURTHER BACKGROUND - ART: Greg's art collection (My Sleepless Nights) features the historical, contemporary - and cinematic - figures who inspire us to think, act, give, serve and lead. 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) and Rocky Balboa. The collection has been exhibited in places like California, New York, Chicago, Canada and Africa. In 2008, he was honored in Canada with the Portraits in Humanity Award - given to someone who has used the arts to make a difference.
FURTHER BACKGROUND - WRITING: 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.
MEDIA / HONORS /APPOINTMENTS(Sample):
== Washington Post Co feature story comparing paths of Greg and Steven Spielberg
== Good
Morning America, USA Today, CBS, NBC, Education Week, National Public Radio, Art World News, Newsweek Kaplan College Guide,
== Honored at Denver Academy as a Writer in Residence.
== 2008 Portraits in Humanity Award
== Named Artist-in-Residence for two days at school in Illinois
== Asked to serve as Judge for Senior Expo 2009 Writing Contest
== Selected as a Semi-Finalist in North American Open Poetry Contest; Quill & Scroll Awards for writing.
== Jefferson Award for Public Service, America's Daily Point of Light, Princeton University - nation's top social entrepreneurs under 40, Hasbro - 35 real-life American heroes, Simply Family - Heroes of the Year
BOOKS & SPEECHES (Sample):
== WRO - a volunteerism program for American students - selected the book as the Reader Book for a trip to Africa involving student performers who sang at events throughout South Africa and did volunteer service in between performances. (WRO also then subsequently booked Greg to serve as American Scholar-in-Residence for the trip)
== 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).
== The Tug McGraw Foundation ordered copies of the books for its Board of Directors as well as its Honorary Chairman (country music star, Tim McGraw) and some others
== A high school on the East Coast incorporated The First Thirty into their English class. A Midwest high school did the same thing.
== 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.
== Event for 700 young professionals. Greg and Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point author) were the two speakers flown in for the event. Gladwell discussed 'outliers' (people who think differently). Greg was asked to serve as a real-life example of one
== Sandbox Industries event. Greg was brought in to speak with the staff to (literally) explain how his brain works, how he finds ideas and what he does to spur creative thinking.
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
Verity, recording artist in South Africa: "...Greg's story and vision are incredible. Very few people have the ability to cross divides and unite people and celebrate difference together. It is wonderful that who he is naturally allows that to happen. Sharing dinner with him and everyone he had brought together was quite an experience in a country where we tend to stick to our safe little boxes of who and what we know....May he continue to uplift thousands as he goes."
The Washington Post Co: "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."
Art World News: "The First Thirty is a moving portrait
of a man who treats life as art and created a masterpiece by helping
others realize their dreams."
Wynter, Actor, Illinois: "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..."
Michael Irpino, Actor/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.
Zachary, High school student (Calif): "...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...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....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..."
Jennie, Knox College:
"...I was almost in tears during the last several pages. It was
definitely inspiring and touching. It reminded me a lot of [a real-life
version of the movie] Big Fish...I got goosebumps while reading
this...I think I have some people to send this book to...The story is
spectacular and I think a movie of it would be moving as well..."
Midwest Book Review: "A
lesson in humanity...Ta strong, positive
message...an uplifting true story that reminds us that all
the movie-caliber underdog stories we see don't always have to be
make-believe..."
Sanda Balaban, NYC Board of Education: "...Greg's inspiring story, which underscores how an individual can often achieve greater happiness through a less-conventional path, is a wonderful way of exposing students to a broader range of possibilities for how they can define and redefine what true success is. "
Shirley Arensberg, Director of Education, Park Playhouse (New York): "...what an inspirational speaker Greg is...I would be so happy to connect with him again... It is always terrific to meet someone who shares the same type of wave length!..."
Richard Freedman, National Director, South African Holocaust Foundation: "The First Thirty has given me much food for thought and I am quite sure will resonate with me in the years to come...Today is Youth Day in South Africa which...is...meant to inspire young people to take on their own potential and to find their way in the world. The First Thirty shows how that is possible and that it is mostly the curved line which offers the greatest opportunity for growth and for something special to be achieved..."
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For more on Greg, go to www.GregForbes.com
To inquire about a speech or event, email Events@GregForbes.com
For more on the book, go to www.TheSilhouetteMan.com or www.TheFirstThirty.com
To inquire about ordering multiple copies, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
