During SWW’s early online days, it used several website addresses and social media accounts. In hindsight, this meant SWW’s history wasn’t always archived. In 2018, as part of overhauling its website, e-mail newsletters started being posted online. This obviously helps promote members and events on social media. But it also publicly archives SWW news for online search engines.
SWW’s latest archiving project resurrected blog and website info from 2002-2012. This was done using The Wayback Machine and other cyber research. This history is now republished as backdated blog posts on SWW’s website. This project and archiving newsletters helps verify member exploits for grant committees, agents, producers, etc.
DISCLAIMER: The Wayback Machine takes sporadic, imperfect snapshots of websites. Absent webpage info often includes “Read more” content and photos. Also, prior to 2018, many SWW events were only promoted via e-mails. These older e-mails were not archived. Apologies for this incomplete history, yet as the saying goes, “This is better than nothing.” Future SWW historians may attempt to fill in elusive history. Until then, restored news includes appropriate graphics and images when available, but was edited for formatting purposes and to remove obsolete info.
Anyone with archiving questions should contact SWW at info@screenwritersworkshop.org.
Take care, and best wishes with your writing projects!
Don’t Miss Ed Leschke’s 2nd Sunday Script Reading Tonight Join us online tonight for a reading of Ed Leschke’s feature length script The Cocktail Party. A political romantic comedy, the logline is: “In an attempt to gain an ambassadorship, a Washington D.C. Republican lawyer and socialite throws a cocktail party charity fundraiser for her Republican friends. But the party and ambassadorship are threatened by the only Democrat present. Her husband.”
“For Love or Money” Short Script Contest Winners’ Reading Online on Friday, November 20th, 2020 at 8:00 PM With the pandemic disrupting our plan for a live, in theater reading, it’s been a long time coming, but we are finally ready for the unveiling of our “For Love or Money” Short Script Contest scripts. And these scripts are fantastic! On Friday, November 20th at 8:00 PM, grab a glass of wine or a cold beer and settle in, to listen to professional actors read the following:
The Finder of Lost Things by John Gigrich
The Day the Box Arrived by Daniel Polsfuss
Albert Wants a Shirt by Tiffa Foster
The Road Home by KT Perleberg
Caveat Emptor by Kelly Lamphear-Dash
Give yourself the opportunity to simply enjoy wonderful writing!
Congratulations to Tiffa Foster and All the Writers Who Participated in the Halloween Short Script Challenge Those who joined the reading for the Halloween Script Challenge reading were trick-or-treated to four creepy and sometimes funny short scripts. The scripts were “Bit-O-Honey Bite” by Charlton Metchalf, “Late Night Fright” by Kelly Lamphear-Dash, “Uninvited” by KT Perleberg, and “Knock Yourself Out” by Tiffa Foster. Tiffa’s script about two old women at a funeral on Halloween won in the voting process, and all the scripts were truly delightful. Thanks again to all the writers for an enjoyable evening!
Save the Date for the SWW Annual Meeting with a Panel of Speakers on Succeeding in Screenwriting While 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, board members are putting together a panel from the local area to talk about succeeding in screenwriting while living in the local area. You will have an opportunity to submit questions to the panel.
The January date allows you to celebrate a belated National Screenwriters Day and set your New Year’s resolution for 2021.
Announcing Our Procrastination Short Script Challenge for January Still procrastinating on your writing? Let it inspire you! The topic for our next short script challenge is on procrastination. Document your ditherings. These 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. Scripts must be received no later than midnight on January 15, 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.
The Wednesday Writing Workout Our first Wednesday Writing Workout in September was a success, so we will be continuing with the program, tentatively set for Wednesday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM. This online workshop offers simple, fun writing exercises to keep you going and stretch your skills. Unlike a script group, you don’t have to share what you wrote, but you can discuss how it might affect your future work. Watch your email for further updates!
Challenge Yourself with NaNoWriMo Harper Lee said, “Writing is a process of self-discipline you must learn before you can call yourself a writer.” NaNoWriMo is National November Writing Month challenge to see how many words you can write in one month. In honor of NaNoWriMo, check out our various writing groups for support in developing the habits of writing. Get encouragement to pursue your goal.
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 the year:
Sunday, November 8th—2nd Sunday Reading of Ed Lescke’s script The Cocktail Party (non-members welcome for reading)
Friday, November 20th—Five “For Love or Money” Script winners reading online at 8:00 PM
Wednesday, December 2nd (Tentative)—Wednesday Writing Workout at 8:00 PM
Sunday, December 13th—2nd Sunday Reading TBD (non-members welcome for reading)
Join Us for Our First Ever “Wednesday Writing Workout” at 8:00 PM Tonight!
Karen Frank, facilitator of Second Sunday reading series
Tonight, Wednesday, September 23rd from 8:00-9:30 PM, Screenwriters’ Workshop will host an online workshop offering simple, fun writing exercises to keep you going and stretch your skills. Unlike a script group, you don’t have to share what you wrote, but you can discuss how it might affect your future work. 2020 McKnight Fellow in Media Arts Karen Frank will host the first session.
There is no need to sign-up for this first session, and there is no fee for this event. Join us at 8:00 PM on our programs link below: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/533859616?pwd=OWF5MTJkOFk3Y1Z4aHVVS0p1R3ZUdz09 Meeting ID: 533 859 616: Call in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Passcode: 848149
Congratulations to Our “Charlie Chaplin Challenge” Participants and Winner! We had six writers participating in our “Charlie Chaplin Challenge” for short scripts that have ten lines of dialogue or less. The quality of these entries were excellent and were brilliant examples of visual storytelling.
The entries were:
“The Balcony of Dread”–about a sickly old man searching through his memories.
“One Egg or Two”–telling of a man vs. chicken struggle for peace.
“The Story of My Life”–based on a poem by Raymond Carver by Dick.
“Backyard”–the story of growing up told through through the metaphor of a backyard.
“Dreamsicle”–a young boy’s story of connection with his parents.
“Pain”–bout an artist, struggling to make a living.
The winner of the Screenwriters’ Workshop tee-shirt was “Dreamsicle” by Karen Frank. Thank you to all who entered. Please join us for our next script challenge…
The Halloween Short Script Challenge If you missed our short Charlie Chaplin Challenge, please consider our Halloween Short Script Challenge. 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 that is Halloween themed. While this could mean hour or ghost stories, it could also include Halloween themed comedies and dramas. Scripts must be received no later than midnight on October 15th, and scripts will be read and voted on online on Sunday, October 25th at 6:30 PM.
The winner of this challenge will be able to choose between a Screenwriters’ Workshop tee-shirt or our Haunted Typewriter Halloween decoration (see above). Also, on the 25th we will have bonus prizes for those who show up in costume or have Halloween themed virtual background.
Mini Calendar Through the End of 2020 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 the year:
Wednesday, September 23rd—”Wednesday Workouts” pilot 8:00-9:30 PM
Friday, October 9th—Five “For Love or Money” Script winners reading online
Thursday, October 15th—Halloween Short Script Challenge DEADLINE
Saturday, October 17th—SWW Board Meeting Online, 3 :00 PM
October 25th—Halloween Short Script Challenge Reading, 6:30 PM
Week of November 16-21st—Annual Meeting, specific date dependent on speaker availability
December—regular events only
Except for the Saturday morning script group, all online events are available at:
Gene Tsao (center, in cherry red T-shirt) with others from the Sunday Script Group in 2017
Don’t Miss Gene Tsao’s 2nd Sunday Script Reading Tonight Tonight’s 2nd Sunday Script Reading will be of an episode of his made for TV script for Europol: Urban Operations, Season 1, Episode 8, “Sicily.” The series is about a happily married mother of two who leads a group of young paramilitary agents to catch spies, corrupt ministers, terrorism financiers, and leaders of organized crime all over the EU. Join us for an action-packed evening.
Congratulations to Our “For Love or Money” Short Script Contest Winners With the pandemic afoot, it has taken the board awhile to announce the winners of the “For Love or Money” Short Script Contest. After all, the prize was a public reading of the script at a theater, and nobody wants a bonus prize of COVID-19. Rather than wait around, the group decided to offer the winners an online reading with hired actors but kick in a $25 bonus, because, well, online just isn’t the same as live. Since this was our first “reverse fee contest,” all who submitted a script will receive $5 as our fee to you for your writing efforts.
(Drum roll!) The winners are (in no particular order):
“The Finder of Lost Things” by John Gigrich
“The Day the Box Arrived” by Daniel Polsfuss
“Albert Wants a Shirt” by Tiffa Foster
“The Road Home” by KT Perleberg
“Caveat Emptor” by Kelly Lamphear-Dash
Still Time for Our Charlie Chaplin Short Script Challenge If you haven’t started your short script for the Charlie Chaplin Challenge, there’s still time! These scripts are due on August 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 with no more than ten lines of dialogue. Scripts must be received no later than midnight on August 15th, and scripts will be read and voted on online on Sunday, August 30th at 6:30 PM. Happy writing!
Stay tuned to the newsletter for details on our next short script challenge for Halloween.
New Pilot Program in Fall—The Wednesday Writing Workout
Need a little extra push to get through hump day? On Wednesday, September 23rd from 8:00-9:30 PM, Screenwriters’ Workshop will host an online workshop offering simple, fun writing exercises to keep you going and stretch your skills. Unlike a script group, you don’t have to share what you wrote, but you can discuss how it might affect your future work. Since it may involve breakout rooms, you will need to sign-up in advance. A free will offering is encouraged. 2020 McKnight Fellow in Media Arts Karen Frank will host the first session. Stay tuned for further details and sign-up.
Mini Calendar Through the End of 2020 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 the year:
Sunday, August 15th—Charlie Chaplin Challenge Deadline at midnights
Sunday, August 30th—Reading and voting on Charlie Chaplin short script winners, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, September 23rd—”Wednesday Workouts” pilot 8:00-9:30 PM
Friday, October 9th—Five “For Love or Money” Script winners reading online
Thursday, October 15th—Halloween Short Script Challenge DEADLINE
Saturday, October 17th—SWW Board Meeting Online, 3 :00 PM
October 25th—Halloween Short Script Challenge Reading, 6:30 PM
Week of November 16-21st—Annual Meeting, specific date dependent on speaker availability
December—regular events only
Except for the Saturday morning script group, all online events are available at:
We Knew They Were Great. This Just Confirms It! Screenwriters’ Workshop is proud to announce that the McKnight Foundation named two writers, long-affiliated with our group, as 2020 McKnight Media Artist Fellows. David Buchanan and Karen Frank were both awarded $25,000 fellowships. David was a panelist at SWW’s annual meeting two years ago on self-producing films, and his script was read at a table reading on April 26th. Karen is SWW’s 2nd Sunday group moderator, a member of our educational programs committee, a finalist in several national contests over the years, and a previous McKnight Fellow in Screenwriting.
These awards will enable them to study, reflect, experiment, and explore over a twelve month period with support and assistance from FilmNorth and the McKnight Foundation. In addition to the cash award, the program supports its fellows by creating opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals, by organizing a year-end McKnight Retrospective featuring the fellows, by providing assistance to attend the annual Film Independent Forum in Los Angeles, and by offering special class and workshop opportunities through FilmNorth.
2nd Sunday Script Reading Speaking of Karen Frank, the 2nd Sunday Script Reading for June will feature her script Buried. The reading will be online on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM. On July 12th, the 2nd Sunday reading will feature Fernando Almeida’s psychological horror script Pumpkin’s Abyss.
Congratulations to Our Social Distancing Writers! On May 24th our group of writers and friends met online to read four fabulous shorts. Thank you to our writers who submitted the following scripts:
Contaminated by Kelly Lamphear-Dash
Local, Long-Distance Relationship by Michael Dugan
The Shell by Neal Patrick Peterson
Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC by Tiffa Foster
Those attending voted live on their favorite script. It is a testament to the quality of the shorts that all the entrants were within points of one another. In the end, Neal Peterson was the winner with his lovely short script “The Shell” about two phobic people who would never have met one another if it weren’t for social distancing.
Take Some Time for Yourself. Try Our Next Shorts Contest—“The Charlie Chaplin Challenge” Yes, the world sucks right now, but you can channel your frustrations into your screenwriting. We’re waiting for the theaters to open, so we can have a staged reading for the finalists of our “For Love or Money Reverse Fee Shorts Contest.” Stay tuned on that! In the meantime, try our next, online mini-contest: “The Charlie Chaplin Challenge.”
Because screenwriting is a visual medium, it is important to convey as much of your story as possible through image. For this challenge, you will be asked to write a short script following the guidelines, eligibility requirements, and procedures for our regular short script contest (10 page, 4 character maximum, must be a member of SWW, etc…), but instead of a theme, entrants should write a film with no more than ten lines of dialogue. It does not have to be a silent film, however. Other sounds are allowed. Sign language is allowed as long as it is used for its visual beauty and not translated into subtitles.
Scripts must be received no later than midnight on August 15th, and scripts will be read and voted on online on Sunday, August 30th at 6:30 PM (see Zoom link below). The winner will receive bragging rights and an amazing SWWag T-Shirt. Guests are welcome to participate in the reading and voting. Email your entries in .pdf format to mnscreenwritersworkshop@gmail.com.
Seminar on Screenplay Editing Tips On June 28th at 6:30 PM SWW board member Ed Leschke will host a one hour seminar on screenplay editing tips that will improve your script’s readability and keep your reader’s focus on your story. This workshop is NOT about formatting, but tips that will make your script look more professional and polished for contest and production company readers. See the Zoom link below.
Quarterly Board and Committee Meetings Our SWW Board and Committee Meeting will be Saturday, July 18th at 3:00 PM. All members are welcome to participate. See Zoom link below.
Mini-Calendar of Events Until further notice, with the exception of Saturday Script Group, all SWW events will be online on Zoom at:
Saturday Script Group—Online weekly. See the website for more information Sunday Script Group—Online the first and third Sundays of each month (June 7th, June 21st, July 19th, Aug. 2nd, Aug. 16th, etc…) NOTE: There will be no Sunday Script Group on July 5th. Sunday, June 14th at 6:30 PM—2nd Sunday Reading of Karen Frank’s script Buried Sunday, June 28th at 6:30 PM—Presentation on Copyright for Screenwriters (see above) Sunday, July 12th at 6:30 PM—2nd Sunday Reading of Fernando Almeida’s script Pumpkin’s Abyss August 15th at Midnight—Charlie Chaplin Challenge mini-contest due (see above) August 30th at 6:30—Online reading and voting on the Charlie Chaplin Challenge scripts
And remember… When the going gets tough, write it down!
