SWW Newsletter—May 2022

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Annual Meeting Next Week, May 21st @ 6:00 PM at FilmNorth and Online

Join Us for Our Annual Meeting and Jump Start Your Writing!

If you’ve been locked inside for two years (as we all have been) and are ready to break free, connect with people in the real world.  Or not.  Our SWW Annual Meeting will be hybrid.  On Zoom (if you’re still into that thing) and in person at FilmNorth at 550 Vandalia in St. Paul.  Of course, on Zoom you don’t get wine and cheese.

REGISTER ON ZOOM for BOTH in-person and online.  This will automatically enter you for drawings, get your beverage choice, and send you a link if you need it.  (If you don’t, just ignore it and come in person.)  There is no charge for this event.

Here’s the order of the evening:

6 PM   Social hour (Yes, there will be wine.  And beer.  And non-wine and beer.)
6:30   A short business meeting (as required by law but you can keep eating)
7:00  Keynote, Michelle Perdue, motivational speaker, SWW member, and author of the new book Rise and Shine!  How to Live a Life of Resilience and Perform at Your Potential.  Michelle will speak about ways to set goals, stick to them, and live creatively for long-term personal growth—despite the obstacles (including the obstacles we love, like our kids).  For aspiring screenwriters, these skills are a must. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity for Q&A with Michelle.
8:00  Prize Drawings & Trivia
Honors for Our Mini-Challenge Winners (see below), Our $250 Winner, and the Winner of Our Fantasy Academy Award Speech Contest
After That       Hang out and have fun!

The winners of our short script Mini-Challenges are as follows:

Social Distancing Challenge (May 2020)—“The Shell” by Neal Patrick Peterson on themes of social distancing
The Charlie Chaplin Challenge (August 2020)—“Dreamsicle” by Karen Frank, a script with 10 words of dialogue or less
The Halloween Challenge (October 2020)—“Knock Yourself Out” by Tiffa Foster, a Halloween-themed script
Procrastination Challenge (January 2021)—“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” by Jeff Holman, on the theme of procrastination
The 5 Senses Challenge (March 2021)—“The Driving Lesson” by Karen Frank, a script that evokes all five senses
A Stitch in Time Challenge (June 2021)—“Reverse Wedding Pact” by Mike Dugan, a script that has a flashback or flash forward
The “Twisting Tropes Challenge” (September 2021)—“A Hooker, Her Pimp, and Their John” by Lucas Miller, a script that is written contrary to a common trope in movies
The Medium-Inspired Challenge (November 2021)—“Starry Night” by Charlton Metcalf, a script that was inspired by a work of visual art.

Our outside judges had some great things to say about you all, but, alas, there is only one winner.  Good luck to you all!

And Don’t Forget the Shorts Showcase!

Last year was the first every SWW Short Film Showcase outside at the Gremlin Theater in St. Paul.  This year, assuming you’re COVID free, you can join us indoors for a night of short films by our members who’ve written, directed, and/or produced shorts.  If you’re a member with a short up your sleeve, plan on submitting it to the showcase.  Of course, if you don’t have one, the good news is there is still time to write and shoot your short film.  Films must be 10 minutes or less to be considered.  Stay tuned for further information in future newsletters.

Submissions Now Accepted for the 2022 Catalyst Story Festival in Duluth

Are you interested in series writing?  The Catalyst Story Festival in Duluth is now accepting scripts, pitches or videos for series.  Minnesota screenwriters are encouraged to submit applications now for the Festival in the fall.  The deadline for applications is June 25thClick here to apply.

Congratulations to SWW Members Karen Frank and David Buchanan Who Were Honored at the Walker on May 12th

Both Karen and David were McKnight Media Arts Fellows.  Check out info on the event by clicking here.

Participate in a Script Group, 2nd Sunday Table Reading, or Wednesday Writers’ Workout

Throughout the pandemic, our regular script groups have continued, 2nd Sunday has transferred hands, and our pilot of Wednesday Writers’ Workshop is now a regular program on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 PM.  Drop in to hone your craft or simply get inspired.

P.S.  Our apologies for some technical difficulties on our last round of Wednesday Writers’ Workout.  We’ll get this right next time.

Mini-Schedule of Upcoming Events:

May 21st—Annual Meeting
June 8th—Wednesday Writers’ Workout
June 12th—2nd Sunday Script Reading
Week of June 22nd—Catalyst Story Road
June 25th—Catalyst Deadline
Mid-Late July—Shorts Showcase

Except for the Saturday morning script group AND the annual meeting, 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)

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