SWW Newsletter October 2022

Short Films Under the Stars

Screenwriters Workshop Showcase: Short Films Under the Stars(?) Almost!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the annual Short Films Under the Stars showcase at the end of August! After setting up outside, Mother Nature decided she had different plans for us, and sent us inside FilmSpace with some scattered showers. We may not have watched these shorts under the stars as intended, but our talented SWW screenwriters and filmmakers shone even brighter!

Many thanks to Metro State’s FilmSpace for hosting us after being rained out!

This year, we were lucky enough to watch these great films:

  • ★ A Moment of Anxiety by Kelly Lamphear-Dash
  • ★ Ana’s Playground by Eric Howell
  • ★ Bis in Idem (Déjà Vu) by Oussama Lamharzi Alaoui
  • ★ Burner submitted by David J. Buchanan (Director of Photography)
  • ★ Haunting the Haunted by John Gigrich
  • ★ Life Cycle by David C.C. Erickson
  • ★ Nighthawks by Andy Froemke
  • ★ The Look Diet by Neal Peterson with Tiffa Foster
  • ★ Together (for the Kids) by Zach Jansen
  • ★ Undetectable by Lucas Miller

Couldn’t make it this year? No problem! Our members are always creating great films and we will have plenty to screen next year too.

Catalyst Table Reads & More

Congratulations to members Maxie Rockymore, David J. Buchanan, Lillie Gardner, and Karen Frank who had their scripts read at Catalyst Content Festival!  Catalyst selected Maxie’s thriller Neptune Rising, David’s sci-fi N57, Lillie’s drama Ruth Rising and animated Allegra Sparkle’s Guide to the Great Composers (You Might Not Have Heard Of), and Karen’s drama The Poisonous Night.  Another congratulations to member John Gigrich, whose pilot Witches of Wonder screened at Catalyst!  We are so proud to have so many members of the Screenwriters Workshop recognized for their amazing work.  You are inspirations to us all and we’re excited to see where you go from here!

We also want to recognize and congratulate Lillie Gardner, whose pitch for Ruth Rising made it all the way to the finals in Pitch World!

Last but certainly not least, an extra special congratulations to Board member Maxie Rockymore, whose screenplay Neptune Rising WON Outstanding Thriller Script at Catalyst this past weekend!

Did we miss anyone?  Let us know!  We want to celebrate you!

Catalyst Awards Gala

Screenwriters Workshop Visions for the Future

At the end of September, our Board and committee members brainstormed a ton of new visions for the Screenwriters Workshop’s future.  A few of these visions include membership outreach, such as going to Twin Cities schools with film courses to find new blood, and engaging our members more online, wherever that may be.  Going forward, we want to improve events, scheduling, and programming for SWW members by helping you get your scripts into the production pipeline, collaborating with other filmmaking groups to develop more events and member perks, and hosting fun and engaging events, such as movie nights, resuming pop up writing groups around town, selling merch (SWWag!), and so much more!

Wanna be a part of it?  On Saturday, November 5th, we’ll begin our development process to make our dreams a reality!  From 11:30am-1pm, our committee meeting will focus on developing these visions further, and our Board meeting will run from 1-3pm, where we will get into the nitty gritty.

Upcoming Events:

Join us for these upcoming events on Zoom – link below!

  • Wednesday Writers Workout with Karen Frank, Oct. 5th at 8pm
  • SWW + MNWiFT Inspiring Filmmaker Series:
    • Thursday, Oct. 6th, 6:30-8:30 pm — DocuClub – “Who is the Subject of your Documentary?”
    • Tuesday, Oct. 18th, 6:30-8:30 pm — Screenwriters Workshop – “Writing a Short Screenplay” taught by Karen Frank

Join Us for Our Regular Programs

Go to our website for our regular script groups, readings, and events. 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)

Thank you to our partner organizations for their ongoing support!

Partner Organizations

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