Annual Meeting, Procrastination Short Script Challenge, Planning for the Year
January 5th is National Screenwriters’ Day. That’s where family and friends are obliged to make you a drink before sit down at the laptop and tirelessly tap out the next Queen’s Gambit. Here at Screenwriters’ Workshop, we are extending that to a whole month with events and activities. Why not make 2021 the year to kickstart your writing. After all, we’re still in quarantine and you know you’ve always wanted to do it!
Online for Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 3:00 PM Featuring Panel Discussion “How to Have a Career in Film While Still Living in the Twin Cities”
The Screenwriters’ Workshop Annual meeting will be on Saturday, January 9th at 3:00 PM online. In addition to a few SWW announcement and business details, this online event will feature three professionals in the film to discuss “How to Have a Career in Film While Still Living in the Twin Cities.”
SWW Board Member Kelly Lamphear-Dash will facilitate a discussion between:
- Alison Guessou, writer/director/producer of two short films “911” and “Happily Married After” and producer of indie feature film “Black in Minneapolis.”
- Andy Froemke, who has sold scripts to production companies, written for a local TV show, and was the writer of two short films “Strike” and “Nighthawks.”
- Aleshia Mueller, who is an accomplished script supervisor for numerous Hollywood film and TV productions.
The event will also feature trivia and prize drawings. To attend, access this through the link at the end of this newsletter. Newcomers and non-members are welcome!
Don’t Procrastinate on Our Procrastination Short Script Challenge for January
For all out there who have made “write more” part of your New Year’s resolution, this short script challenge is for you! The topic for our January challenge is on procrastination. Scripts are due on January 15th at midnight. Please follow the rules of our contest as outlined on the website (10 page, 4 character maximum, must be a member of SWW, etc…), writing a short film on the subject of procrastination. DEADLINE EXTENDED! Scripts must be received no later than midnight on Saturday, January 23, 2021 and will be read and voted on online on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 6:30 PM.
Winner of this challenge will win a Screenwriter’s Workshop t-shirt or $20 and the opportunity to compete with other challenge winners at the end of 2021 for a larger cash prize. More details will be announced at the annual meeting.
A Tribute to Al Milgrom
The Twin Cities film community lost a giant on December 20, 2020 with the death of 98-year-old legend Al Milgrom.
Founder of the U Film Society and the Rivertown Film Festival (which later became the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Film Festival), Milgrom worked tirelessly to bring independent and international films to Minnesota while supporting local filmmakers. He even made an appearance at the SWW “Future of Story” event in July 2019 at Playwright’s Center.
SWW Board Member and longtime friend and documentary collaborator of Milgrom’s, Kelly Lamphear-Dash said of Al, “The outpouring of admiration and loss in the community has been overwhelming. His absence at the festivals and DocuClub will be a palpable void. I have always been in great admiration of his being a prime example of being a true lifelong learner. He is a wonderful example of ‘it’s never too late’ by changing careers in his 80s from being in charge of a film festival to creating documentary films seen at film festivals all over the country.” Screenwriters’ Workshop offers our condolences to family and friends of this local legend.
Help Us Plan in 2021
If you love planning events and activities but have been COVID-frustrated in 2020, become involved with the board in planning for 2021 in one of our open meetings. Our next meeting will be online on Saturday, January 16th at 3:00 PM. Though only board members are allowed to vote, any member is encouraged to participate and support SWW through committee membership. See below for access details.
Mini Calendar Through January
In addition to Saturday Script Groups, Sunday Script Group, and 2nd Sunday Script Readings, see below for a list of SWW events through the end of January:
- January 5th—National Screenwriters’ Day
- Saturday, January 9th— Annual Meeting, including a panel speaking on how to make it in screenwriting living in Minnesota (non-members welcome)
- Friday, January 15th—Procrastination Short Script Challenge deadline at midnight (members only eligible to submit)
- Saturday, January 16th—SWW Board Meeting Online, 3:00 PM (all members welcome)
- Sunday, January 24th—Procrastination Short Script Challenge Reading and Voting (non-members welcome for reading)
Except for the Saturday morning script group, all online events are available at:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/533859616?pwd=OWF5MTJkOFk3Y1Z4aHVVS0p1R3ZUdz09
Meeting ID: 533 859 616:
Passcode: 848149
Call in:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
